This selection is possibly the best introduction to the extraordinary variety of poetry and verse written in the nineteenth century. It ranges from the astonishing achievements of the Romantic poets to the chauvinistic verse of Sir Henry Newbolt. Whether used as a starting point for discovering the richness of the period, or as a reminder of some well-loved and some less familiar poetry, this book will appeal to poetry lovers everywhere.

          Tim Cook’s sensitively chosen anthology includes not only the great British, Irish and American poets, but also lighter pieces by writers such as Hood and Gilbert. It is arranged thematically, covering the traditional poetic themes of love, death, nature and war, as well as other subjects that were of concern such as politics, the position of women, science and religion.