Poetry for Young People: William Butler Yeats
Yeats lived a rich, intellectual life and was very much involved in the events of his time. Born in Dublin, the son of a gifted professional family, he trained as a lawyer and also gained fame as a painter, a theatrical manager, and political figure. This collection reveals the poet's love for the landscapes and people of Ireland, especially of County Sligo. Strong themes of Celtic mysticism and the occult appear in several selections. Each poem is prefaced by a few lines that set the scene and is followed by an explanation of difficult words. Beautiful paintings, many full page, show landscapes, people, and animals referred to in the selections. An impressive introduction to this Nobel Prize winner.--Libby K. White, Jewish Vocational Services, Baltimore, MD, School Library Journal
He was the finest modern poet in the English language--plus a playwright, theatre manager, politician, and passionate believer in supernatural. William Butler Yeats' writing captures all the magic and mystery of his native Ireland, and here are some 26 of his finest, most mesmerizing verses. In "The Stolen Child," fairies come in the night to entice a boy away forever to "where the wave of moonlight glosses the dim grey sands with light." Yeats claimed that a Greek folk song inspired "The Song of Wandering Aengus": the excerpt here follows Aengus on his quest to locate an enchanted girl. Visions of a fierce and terrible battle-where "unknown perishing armies beat about my ears"--emerge in "The Valley of the Black Pig," all seen in a dream. Matching the beauty of Yeats' written images are a series of exquisite and evocative paintings, which range from panoramic natural landscapes to compelling portraits of characters both human and fantastic. And, as always, this acclaimed series features fascinating biographical information, introductions to each verse, and full annotations that define difficult unfamiliar vocabulary.
