Great selections, great readings, and great summaries. Could do without Williams, Stevens, and the rest of the Modernist gang, however. And that Gertrude Stein piece was absolutely murder to listen to. How anyone who appreciates poetry can, for even a second, entertain the notion that anything that woman thought, said, or wrote is worth attention is a mystery beyond comprehension. ( )

I'm not sure there are adequate superlatives to describe this treasure. John Lithgow talks us through the lives and works of fifty of history's greatest poets. From Shakespeare to Yeats, Dylan Thomas to Edna St. Vincent Millay. Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes, Allen Ginsburg, Whitman, Dorothy Parker, Eliot, e.e. cummings... It's an embarrassment of riches.

Sure, there are noticeable omissions, but as a primer for adults and young people, I can't imagine a more accessible, fun volume. Lithgow is joined by some notable friends (Morgan Freeman, Jodie Foster, Gary Sinise, Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, Helen Mirren, Billy Connelly, and others). Hearing these gifted actors perform these poems makes for an incredibly entertaining experience, even for those skeptical or phobic of verse.

I loved the audiobook so much, I've ordered a print version so I can go back and dig in again more selectively.

Truly, I cannot say enough about how enjoyable this audiobook was. Seek it out! ( )

Read for BookRiot's 2020 Read Harder Challenge, An audiobook of poetry.
And for #MMDChallenge as a book outside your comfort (genre) zone.

I don't read poetry. Ever. But this was a nice surprise. Each poet is prefaced with a summary of their lives and influences which helps provide context to the poetry. That made the poems more accessible and hearing the language instead of reading it slowed things down to help point out the rhythms. I discovered a few I want to learn more about, including Robert Burns, Robert Frost, A E Housman, Randall Jarrell, Edward Lear, Dorothy Parker, Gertrude Stein, and Wallace Stevens.

Coincidentally, I then listened to a favorite podcast where they talked about improving your prose writing by listening to poetry. Some I want to learn more about from that podcast include Ezra Pound, Gerald Manley Hopkins, and G Brooks.
(Writing excuses 15.06: https://media.blubrry.com/writingexcuses/p/writingexcuses.com/wp-content/uploads...

If you aren't familiar or interested in poetry, I highly recommend this anthology. Well produced and good content as an overview to various poets. ( )

Thank you, Mr. Lithgow, for rekindling my love of poetry. This book is a generous, unsolicited act of kindness.

Though available as a printed book, this one is really best in audiobook form - the readings are mostly fantastic (and you may recognize some of your favorite actors amonge the readers). The only poem I would love to have seen added is Phillip Larkin's "This be the Verse" - but then it might not have qualified as "a poetry book for the whole family." ( )

The Poet’s Corner: The One and Only Poetry Anthology for the Whole Family - Lithgow

Audio performance by John Lithgow and other well known voices
5 stars

I’m not sure which I enjoyed more, the professional renditions of great poetry or Lithgow’s commentary on the poems and poets. It was easy and best to listen in short segments, one poet at a time. My only minor complaint was with the alphabetical organization of the poets. My attention wandered as the recitations jumped around in style and centuries. On the other hand, the readings by professional and well known actors are excellent. Lithgow’s commentary is informative and entertaining. He includes references to other poems that are not in this anthology, and cites internet sources for other recordings. I wouldn’t call this an anthology for the whole family despite the inclusion of ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ and ‘The Jabberwocky’. I wouldn’t expect young children to be entertained, but it’s would be great for middle grade or high school poetry study.

I’ve tried to pick a single favorite reading from this book, but it’s not possible. There were a few that I didn’t care for, but I consider my money well spent to hear Helen Mirren read ‘The Tyger’ by Blake, and Norman Freeman’s recitation of Brooks’ ‘We Real Cool’. ( )