Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0446580023, Hardcover)
From listening to his grandmother recite epic poems from memory to curling up in bed while his father read funny verses, award-winning actor John Lithgow grew up with poetry. Ever since, John has been an enthusiastic seeker of poetic experience, whether reading, reciting, or listening to great poems. The wide variety of carefully selected poems in this book provides the perfect introduction to appeal to readers new to poetry, and for poetry lovers to experience beloved verses in a fresh, vivid way. William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names among Lithgow's comprehensive list of poetry masters. His essential criterion is that "each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud." This unique package provides a multimedia poetry experience with a bonus MP3 CD of revelatory poetry readings by John and the familiar voices of such notable performers as Eileen Atkins, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Billy Connolly, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston. Every reader will enjoy reciting or listening to these poems with the entire family, appreciating how each one comes to life through the spoken word in this superlative poetry collection.
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:04 -0400)
Wikipedia in English
Each poem includes both an introduction of the poet and summary (written by Lithgow) of how the poem can be interpreted. Many of the poems are recognizable, but not always the best known poem by that poet. 20th century poets are included.
A real highlight of the book is the accompanying CD of actors/actresses reading the poems aloud. For those who are challenged by reading poetry, the CD allows you to listen to the poem read by the very talented Gary Sinise, Jodie Foster, John Lithgow and other acclaimed actors. (