Robin Skelton (1925–1997)

This anthology is an essential library book, because it completes the gap between early modern poetry and the pre-WW2 era, focusing on the late twenties and early thirties. The poems are a reflection of the political concerns of the time, engaging with political issues. I liked the poetry centrered on the Spanish civil war, because it shows the growing fear of the rise of fascism and the political stance taken by the poets, their hopes and disillusions. Very good book, used as part of the show more Open University course A300 '20th C Literature'. show less

These older Penguin poetry anthologies are beautiful things, and wonderfully edited; I'm always finding writers who have undeservedly slipped from view.

Another lovely Penguin anthology, full of terrific discoveries!

few minor writers of the 17th century have suffered more from critical neglect than the Cavaliers, says the flyleaf

contains poems known and unknown, funny and romantic, ludicrous and great

I didn't expect to find poems of Marvell, least of all To His Coy Mistress