The Selected Poetry of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers is most often considered a minor figure in the twentieth century American literature canon. Countless instructors haven't even heard of him, but that is a shame. Some professors even skip the Jeffers section in American literature anthologies. With the publication of this long-awaited anthology (in paperback), there is plenty of evidence here to suggest that Jeffers is a major figure of influence.Jeffers had a transcendental vision. He built a poet's niche in Carmel, where he commented on nature's cosmic cycles, its beauty and violence, which he saw as expressions of God's character. Jeffers was a poet of the Carmel landscape--weather worn granite, tumultous surf, birds of prey, twisted coastal cypress--he also approached descriptions of humanity's arrogance and weakness in light of its fascination with war, violence, and self-inscribed bloodshed. Jeffers espoused a poetic doctrine of Inhumanism, which was perhaps a reflection of his own personal misanthropy: humans are atoms to be split.Some of my favorite poems are here: "Shine, Perishing Republic," "Boats in a Fog," "Carmel Point," "Divine Superfluous Beauty," "Tower Beyond Tragedy," "Bed by the Window," "Una," "The Deer Lay Down Their Bones," and even some of his last writing. I remember a certain Shakespeare class in which I read "Shine, Perishing Republic" on the day after the LA riots.Robert Hass (UC Berkeley), C. Milosz (Emeritus, UC Berkeley), and William Everson have been poet champions of Jeffers' work. But one scholar, in particular, has dedicated his academic life to understanding that creative pulse, which inspired Jeffers to his pen. That notable scholar is Robert J. Brophy.I highly recommend this anthology. I also recommend the scholarship of Robert Brophy. I can say with pleasure and esteem that I have benefited from his scholarship and literature courses at Cal State U., Long Beach. Bob Brophy introduced me to Jeffers (via a Jeffers course and a Tor House tour, 10/91); I have introduced Jeffers and his work to my own students, and I will forever be touched by his gentle, guiding hand.

Robinson Jeffers is one of America's great modernist poets, but because his milieu was steeped in the rugged coast of California instead of the high rises of New York City, he is often overlooked when that era is surveyed. Not only is this lack chauvinistic, but it deprives readers of the joy of Jeffers' rugged, image-rich, thought-driven verse. This book corrects that failing with a sense of class. All of Jeffers' major poems are here, arranged so that the early lyric works and the later epic narrative poems comfortably exist side by side. I can think of no better place to start to delve into Jeffers' genius than this volume. Order it, then read away.

I have the edition published in the seventies is this is a wonderful upgrade. Edited by the man who did the definitive Stanford full 6 volume series you are getting the same insight and introduction in to the world of this exemplary poet and philosopher.

Jeffers would not be surprised by the timeliness of his poetry as issues of globalization, war, terror, environmental carelessness, and hubris once again flood our daily lives. His poetry resonates with a distaste for the very "inhumanities"--though he would consider them wholly human--that have brought us to this state of the world. The endless cycle which he mentions so many time is repeating itself once again, and his wisdoms and voice are gathered into a wonderful collection of his finest poetry.One reading Jeffers in search of hope for humanity will be sorely disappointed, as his inhumanism is present on every page. It is not hopeless, however; the beauty of nature and the wild god of the world persist despite man's best efforts to tame and abolish them. Poems like "Vulture" are the only glimmer of hope that Jeffers has for mankind: recognize our place in the world and embrace it. That is the ultimate existence.

An excellent anthology filling the gap left by Random House's discontinuance of the much-reprinted 1938 Collected Poems. Stanford University Press has single-handedly and handsomely restored the Jeffers canon. Hunt's introduction is helpful. The best one-volume selection currently available.

A great, uncategorizable genius is finally given a suitably generous 'Selected Poems'. If you can't afford the four-volume scholarly Stanford University Collected, then this is just the ticket, both for the newcomer and for the dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast.

This book contains later poetry that was not included in earlier editions of Jeffers' poetry.

I came across Robinson Jeffers by accident and feel as if I have always known him. His writing is raw and passionate in an understated way.

Arrived as expected in good condition.