Richard Wakefield suggested, on a different thread, that we compile a bibliography of books, and I thought we might start a thread on guides and handbooks. The following I keep by the computer:
1. 'A Poetry Handbook' Mary Oliver
2. The Art and Craft of Poetry' Michael J Bugeja
Goes into more depth than Oliver's book. A good text to follow Oliver's
3. 'A Poets Guide to Poetry' Mary Kinzie
Much more detailed and thought provoking. It's slow going - I'm about a third of the way through - and it's going to take numerous re-reads to get everything out of it.
4. 'The Poetry Dictionary' John Drury
Just that - a comprehensive dictionary of terms and phrases
5. 'The Book of Forms' Lewis Turco
A comprehensive listing of metrical forms. The only one I haven't found in it is the ovillejo, unless it's listed under another name.
6. 'A Dictionary of Homophones' Leslie Presson
Thought it might be helpful for light verse and wordplay
7. 'Oxford American Thesaurus of Current English' Oxford University Press
8. 'World Poetry' Norton & Co. - Clifton Fadiman General Editor
Nice breakdown of works by era and geographical location. 1200 pgs of poetry.
Anybody else want to add to the list?
[This message has been edited by Robert Swagman (edited October 30, 2002).]
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