American Boy: Poems

by Dean Smith

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s, American Boy explores the trenchant issues of a century just the Vietnam War, the disintegration of family, child abuse, adultery, divorce, the plight of Native Americans, the emergence of jazz, and the loss of innocence. Emerging from a childhood shattered by divorce, the poet struggles to overcome scars of his past. The poems are gentle, funny, sarcastic, and heartbreaking. Full of energy and spirit, weirdness and love, this first collection is a journey across real and imagined landscapes filled with fascinating characters, passion, and pain---a journey into adulthood.

74 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[John Julius · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendous book, in my opinion. Hard to believe that a book this good is not well known. Dean Bartoli Smith is also the director of Duke University Press. I would not have discovered his gem of poetry/memoir if I hadn't first read two wonderful basketball books that he brought into print, "Big Game, Small World" by Alexander Wolff, and "Lost in the Game" by Thomas Beller. I liked those books, too, but not as much as I liked "American Boy." I tell the full story here: https://youtu.be/m4TpEggyXQA