World Poetry - “Evidence of Life”.

Johanson, Paula. World Poetry - “Evidence of Life”.
Enslow 2010 160p 34.60 Poetry Rocks (Enslow)
978-0-7660-3280-4 hs/adult E-BNS
This volume of poetry contains in poetry form, the life stories of peoples of the world including Babylonians, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, Italian and Indian, written by the most famous poets since earliest times when oral tradition was the way to tell a story. This volume is a bit different from others of this series in that it encompasses literature almost since its beginnings. In 1200 B. C. E., Sin-leqi-unninni recorded the Epic of Gilgamesh, based on the feats of King Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, Babylonia. It included themes of love, death and friendship and influenced Homer as well as writers of several Bible stories. The reader quickly learns that this anthology represents the best and most influential poets ever known! Famous world poets such as Homer, Vyasa and Dante as well as less well-known poets such as Du Fu, Rumi and Basho are presented with biographical data, samples of their works, explanations of style and theme and critical responses to their writings. More contemporary poets such as Lorca and Neruda were chosen by author Paula Johanson to round out an extraordinary “cast” which has changed the way the world thinks and acts. The poems are not easy to read, and the reader quickly realizes that to master all of the life lessons and poetic techniques of these poems requires much more than a glance. This book is a beginning to an exploration that could take years! Johanson is not only an excellent researcher but also a student of poetry, shown by her choice of poets to include in this volume and by her impeccable organization of a wealth of material. The layout follows that of the series, with a FACT section strategically placed within each chapter. Finally, the photographs, the glossary, the extensive notes and the index aide the reader in navigating these pages. Serious readers will know all of the poets but delight in the selections and analyses; newer readers will learn enough to help them choose a poet for their next encounter. Squaresky, Martha