First published in 1995 and out of print for several years, this is a comprehensive anthology comprised of the most important American poets who produced work during the half century between 1820-1870. Paul Kane has included not only the well-known masters, like Thoreau, Dickinson, Poe, and Whitman, but also African-American, Native American and female poets, making his book one of the most thorough and well-researched anthologies available today. Kane's critical introduction offers historical context, along with informative head notes and helpful resources in a convenient and accessible format. There is an extensive reference section located in the back of the book, providing information for students and academics interested in further reading. AUTHOR: Paul Kane is a poet and critic who has published six collections of poems and a dozen other books. He has received a Fulbright award, Guggenheim and NEA Fellowships and grants from the Mellon Foundation. He is general editor of The Braziller Series of Australian Poets, and is currently Professor of English and Environmental Studies at Vassar College. He lives in Warwick, New York. SELLING POINTS: .Ideal for anyone interested in the history of American poetry and its context in the global practice of poetry