The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart : Poetry Anthology, A

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Anyone Involved in Men's Work
Review: The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart is an incredible collection of poems dealing with men's issues. It is great to use for men's work, such as introducing discussion on various subjects, or setting the tone for sharing. There is some stuff in here that will make even the most heavily armored man weep. Bly's SNOWBANKS NORTH OF THE HOUSE is a classic.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Anyone Involved in Men's Work
Review: The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart is an incredible collection of poems dealing with men's issues. It is great to use for men's work, such as introducing discussion on various subjects, or setting the tone for sharing. There is some stuff in here that will make even the most heavily armored man weep. Bly's SNOWBANKS NORTH OF THE HOUSE is a classic.

Rating:
Summary: Powerfully moving.
Review: This book is a compilation of messages from poets throughout the ages. Compiled by individuals with keen insight into the hearts of men, it is never far from my side. I have given it as a gift to people who's love and friendship I treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Powerfully moving.
Review: This book is a compilation of messages from poets throughout the ages. Compiled by individuals with keen insight into the hearts of men, it is never far from my side. I have given it as a gift to people who's love and friendship I treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Disregard the "canned" editorial on this anthology
Review: This is, indeed, a collection of poetry which is multi-dimensional. The "canned" editorial above, from Publisher's Weekly, is a narrow-minded interpretation of the "purpose" of this collection of poetry. Whoever wrote the "canned" editorial has no understanding of men's struggle to redefine their role and character, constructively, to find a place in the twenty first century. Although many of the poems are multi-dimensional, the anthology as a whole, leads a man out of denial, into the heart, into the spirit, and, ultimately into a celebration of masculinity which misandry (hatred of men) has outlawed for almost half a century.

This anthology celebrates a new masculinity. One that is grounded in compassion, awareness, and, ultimately, the most important aspects of our existence as men.

For instance, one of the most important poems in the collection is Goethe's "The Invisible King." Through Goethe's genius we come to understand, as men, that if we deny the murmurs and whispering of our souls, we do so at grave peril to that which is most dear to us.

Buy it if you dare become something more than Madison Avenue made men in the 1980's and 1990's.

Rating:
Summary: treasures untold
Review: Treasures untold, indeed. This is the finest, most inspiring and least predictable contemporary poetry anthology I have ever come across. It has introduced me (I am British, and certain of the US
poets featured are not so well-known over here) to, among many others, Balaban, Nowlen and the wonderful Robert Haydon - his poem about his father is heartbreaking, a perfect poem.
Bly is a hero. I`ve long loved his poetry and his approach to the art. Here, with his compadres, he has given us a cornucopia of living, fire-breathing verse to live, love and get lost in for ever.
`Volume Two?`