Poetry & Money

Peter Robinson was born in Salford, Lancashire, in 1953, and grew up mainly in Liverpool. He holds degrees from the universities of York and Cambridge. Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Reading and poetry editor for Two Rivers Press, he is the author of many books, especially of poetry and translation, for some of which he has been awarded the Cheltenham Prize, the John Florio Prize, and two Poetry Book Society Recommendations.

'To call this original book "rich" and "rewarding" (and I do) is only to demonstrate the extent to which money and its metaphors permeate areas of cultural value and valuation. Examining those metaphors is essentially the method of this study, though Robinson never forgets that artworks assert their value in unique, if compromised, ways. Robinson transacts an enviable sweep across the poetries of several centuries and cultures, using his deep and wide knowledge of poetry. Expect some fine archival research, as well as novel and exciting close readings of some canonical and less canonical figures.' Robert Sheppard, Emeritus Professor of Poetry and Poetics, Edge Hill University

• 1. Introductory issues 2. Money is a kind of poetry 3. Straitened circumstances 4. Indebtedness and redemption 5. Poetic forms containing rampant money 6. For a vast speculation had failed 7. Going off the gold standard 8. Contracts and prophets 9. Circulatory checks and balances 10. Getting value out of money