Books Should Be Free
Loyal Books
Free Public Domain Audiobooks & eBook Downloads
Search by: Title, Author or Keyword

English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History   By: (1873-1924)

Book cover

English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Raymond MacDonald Alden is an incredibly comprehensive and insightful book that serves as a testament to the sheer magnitude and beauty of English verse. From start to finish, Alden takes readers on an enchanting journey through the rich history of English poetry, providing a thorough analysis of its various forms, techniques, and themes.

What sets this book apart from others is Alden's unique approach to presenting the material. Instead of simply providing a chronological account of different poets and their works, he organizes the book thematically, allowing readers to explore the evolution of specific poetic elements over time. This deliberate arrangement creates an engaging and enlightening reading experience, as readers can witness the development of rhythm, rhyme, imagery, and other literary devices across different eras.

Alden's explanations of the principles behind each verse form are clear, concise, and accessible. He strikes a perfect balance between providing enough historical context to understand the significance of each poet and their work, without overwhelming readers with trivial details. This careful curation makes the book suitable for both avid poetry enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre.

One standout feature of English Verse Specimens is the plethora of examples and excerpts provided throughout the book. Alden expertly selects extracts from renowned works, allowing readers to appreciate the distinct styles and voices of poets from different periods. Furthermore, these extracts serve as valuable tools for analyzing and understanding the techniques employed by each poet, demystifying the sometimes-intimidating world of poetry.

In addition to the comprehensive exploration of English verse, Alden's critical insights and commentary offer a deeper understanding and appreciation for each poem featured in the book. His astute observations shed light on the socio-political contexts, literary movements, and personal experiences that influenced the creation of these masterpieces. This added layer of analysis elevates the book from being merely a compilation to a thought-provoking and enlightening study of English poetry as a whole.

The prose in English Verse Specimens is elegant and refined, befitting the subject matter. Alden's writing style is engaging yet scholarly, striking a balance between academic rigor and accessibility. While the book delves into complex concepts, Alden's lucid explanations ensure that readers can navigate the material with relative ease.

In conclusion, Raymond MacDonald Alden's English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History is an exceptional work that celebrates and elucidates the art of English poetry. Its thematic organization, wealth of examples, and insightful analysis make it a valuable resource for both scholars and enthusiasts alike. Whether you are a poetry lover or looking to delve into the world of verse, this book is an absolute must-read.

First Page:

Transcriber's Notes:

This e text uses the Latin 1 ISO 8859 1 character set. The following conventions are used to represent non Latin 1 characters used in the original:

[=x] represents letter 'x' with macron. [)x] represents letter 'x' with breve. [gh] represents yogh. [oe] represents oe ligature. [^] represents a 'pause' mark in poetry. ^{x} represents the letter 'x' superscripted.

The following Latin 1 characters which may be unfamiliar are used in this e text:

Þ, þ upper and lower case thorn. Ð, ð upper and lower case eth.

Footnotes have been numbered sequentially and moved to the end of each chapter.

Minor corrections to punctuation and capitalisation have been made without note. Variant spelling, especially in Anglo Saxon and middle English poems, is as per the original. The following corrections to typographical errors have been made:

p.129: "I hope to get safely out of the turmoil" (had "... safety ...") p.401: "It cannot be said, however," (Had "In ...") p.457: "Lotos Eaters" (Index entry, had "Lotus Eaters")

ENGLISH VERSE

SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATING ITS PRINCIPLES AND HISTORY

CHOSEN AND EDITED

BY

RAYMOND MACDONALD ALDEN, PH... Continue reading book >>




eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook
• iBooks for iPhone and iPad
• Nook
• Sony Reader
Kindle eBook
• Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook
• Load eBook in browser
Text File eBook
• Computers
• Windows
• Mac

Review this book



Popular Genres
More Genres
Languages
Paid Books