Stevens is one of my favourite poets, and this collection houses his poetry and prose all in one volume. Its quality is high, as to be expected from Library of America, and showcases the depth and breadth of Stevens' immense poetic skill. An essential volume in my library. ( )

Stevens, Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot - the three leadig American poets of the 20th Century.

You can take my word: Stevens is difficult, even esoteric. I should knw, because I spent several years translating his poems.

However, you can reach Stevens just by ear, without any special background. Sometimes he is exhilariating.

The man was almost a recluse - a lawyer, working as a director of a insurance company.

H. Bloom and others give a lot of examples that Stevens was a difficult character and had forbidding attitudes. ( )