Lives of the poets : the history of poets and poetry

A stunning volume of epic breadth which connects the lives and works of over 300 English-language poets of the last 700 years. LIVES OF THE POETS traverses the landscapes of biography, form, cultural pressures and important historical moments to tell not just a history of English poetry, but the story of English as a language. 'Astonishing' New York Times . 'Deft critical judgements, lightness of touch, the ability both to examine minutely and to generalize boldly – this book is both a tonic and a continuing pleasure' Independent . 'A celebration of poetry in the shape of a history from Chaucer up to the present day. A book to put into the hands of any young man or woman beginning to be aware that poetry is the glory of our language' Scotsman . 'A masterly exercise of cogency and compression' Times Literary Supplement .