100 Poets

John Carey is emeritus professor at the University of Oxford. His books include A Little History of Poetry, The Essential Paradise Lost, What Good Are the Arts?, studies of Donne and Dickens, and a prizewinning biography of William Golding.

“Enthusiasm for the underdog is infectious. . . . It reveals a sensitivity in Carey’s aesthetic, a rejection of the sentimental and the highbrow in favour of the lyrical, the melancholy and the divine. It’s what ultimately ties the book together, and lends a profound emotional weight to the intellectual rigour.”—Andrew Male, Sunday Times“Reading poetry is a perfect commuter pastime, but can feel intimidating. Where to start? Perhaps with this gentle, welcoming anthology by this paper’s chief literary critic, which offers one emblematic poem, and a brief introduction, for 100 poets.”—Sunday Times“100 Poets is a good anthology to dip into or to read straight through, like I did. Whatever your experience of poetry, I think you’ll find something here to enjoy.”—David’s Book World“Professor John Carey has rounded up a collection of his favourite 100 poets, from Homer to Sylvia Plath, covering the familiar and the less common. . . . A bedside-table book of portable proportions and in durable hardback.”—Lucy Lethbridge, The Oldie Christmas Gift Guide