Mark Eisner has spent most of the past two decades working on projects related to Pablo Neruda. He conceived, edited, and was a principal translator of The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems (City Lights, 2004). He wrote the introduction to City Lights' first-ever English translation of Neruda's Venture of the Infinite Man, a project he developed. He is producing a documentary on Neruda, with support from Latino Public Broadcasting. An initial version, narrated by Isabel Allende, won the Latin American Studies Association Award of Merit.

“Perceptive readings of Neruda’s poems are contextualized by an absorbing historical, cultural, and political chronology.” — Kirkus Reviews“The comprehensive result examines Neruda’s beloved poetry, political commitment, and roiling personal history to show how his art reflected his life and also stood on its own.” — Library Journal“Efficient and moving... Eisner doesn’t let the enchantment of the verse soften his disapproval of the poet’s serial adultery or mistreatment of women, and questions Neruda’s self-appointed “people’s poet” status. Nevertheless, the thematic arc of Neruda’s poetic vocation is invitingly presented. Meanwhile [Eisner’s] descriptions are poetry themselves...” — Publishers Weekly“...brings alive Latin America’s greatest poet...Empathetic but unflinching when occasion calls for criticism, Eisner weaves his subject’s stanzas that resonate with the poet’s personal stories. A real treat is the who’s who of intellectual luminaries who make cameos throughout...A definitive biography and instant classic.” — Library Journal (starred review)“Eisner succeeds in sharing the story of the ‘People’s Poet’ and his life’s many callings in this new standard-bearer among Neruda biographies.” — Booklist

Mark Eisner has spent most of the past two decades working on projects related to Pablo Neruda. He conceived, edited, and was a principal translator of The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems (City Lights, 2004). He wrote the introduction to City Lights' first-ever English translation of Neruda's Venture of the Infinite Man, a project he developed. He is producing a documentary on Neruda, with support from Latino Public Broadcasting. An initial version, narrated by Isabel Allende, won the Latin American Studies Association Award of Merit.

“Perceptive readings of Neruda’s poems are contextualized by an absorbing historical, cultural, and political chronology.” — Kirkus Reviews“The comprehensive result examines Neruda’s beloved poetry, political commitment, and roiling personal history to show how his art reflected his life and also stood on its own.” — Library Journal“Efficient and moving... Eisner doesn’t let the enchantment of the verse soften his disapproval of the poet’s serial adultery or mistreatment of women, and questions Neruda’s self-appointed “people’s poet” status. Nevertheless, the thematic arc of Neruda’s poetic vocation is invitingly presented. Meanwhile [Eisner’s] descriptions are poetry themselves...” — Publishers Weekly“...brings alive Latin America’s greatest poet...Empathetic but unflinching when occasion calls for criticism, Eisner weaves his subject’s stanzas that resonate with the poet’s personal stories. A real treat is the who’s who of intellectual luminaries who make cameos throughout...A definitive biography and instant classic.” — Library Journal (starred review)“Eisner succeeds in sharing the story of the ‘People’s Poet’ and his life’s many callings in this new standard-bearer among Neruda biographies.” — Booklist

Mark Eisner has spent most of the past two decades working on projects related to Pablo Neruda. He conceived, edited, and was a principal translator of The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems (City Lights, 2004). He wrote the introduction to City Lights' first-ever English translation of Neruda's Venture of the Infinite Man, a project he developed. He is producing a documentary on Neruda, with support from Latino Public Broadcasting. An initial version, narrated by Isabel Allende, won the Latin American Studies Association Award of Merit.

“Perceptive readings of Neruda’s poems are contextualized by an absorbing historical, cultural, and political chronology.” — Kirkus Reviews“The comprehensive result examines Neruda’s beloved poetry, political commitment, and roiling personal history to show how his art reflected his life and also stood on its own.” — Library Journal“Efficient and moving... Eisner doesn’t let the enchantment of the verse soften his disapproval of the poet’s serial adultery or mistreatment of women, and questions Neruda’s self-appointed “people’s poet” status. Nevertheless, the thematic arc of Neruda’s poetic vocation is invitingly presented. Meanwhile [Eisner’s] descriptions are poetry themselves...” — Publishers Weekly“...brings alive Latin America’s greatest poet...Empathetic but unflinching when occasion calls for criticism, Eisner weaves his subject’s stanzas that resonate with the poet’s personal stories. A real treat is the who’s who of intellectual luminaries who make cameos throughout...A definitive biography and instant classic.” — Library Journal (starred review)“Eisner succeeds in sharing the story of the ‘People’s Poet’ and his life’s many callings in this new standard-bearer among Neruda biographies.” — Booklist