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"A revolutionary book" -- Elizabeth Alexander

"Poets who might never occupy the same room here occupy the
same pages, perhaps for the first time."--University of Michigan Press

'"A text deserving a long look" — Andrea Zawsinky in Poetry Magazine

J. Brock in Choice Magazine: 

Finch and Varnes have compiled and edited a groundbreaking and important book on poetry and its forms.  Most outstanding is how the book is true to its title; it IS an exaltation of forms.  Eclipsing Lewis Turco's The Book of Forms, this volume celebrates poetic expression in its polyvalent forms.  The editors gathered short, pithy introductions to poetic forms (from dactyl metrics to the ghazal) used by practicing poets from the well-known (Billy Colins, Maxine Kumin) to the emerging (Vince Gotera, Tracie Morris).  Accompanying the introductions are poetic examples of the forms.  Most impressive is the range and eclecticism of topics:  LANGUAGE poetry lies next to new formalist poetry lies next to slam poetry lies next to shaped poetry.  In short, this book deftly and enthusiastically answers the question of where poetry stands at the beginning of the 21st century.  Highest recommendation.  -- J. Brock, Florida Gulf Coast University

EOF in the Classroom: Comments from Teachers

"An Exaltation of Forms helpfully corrects the excesses of the contemporary poetry scene . . ."

Read the full review by David Caplan

Copyright©2006 Annie Finch