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Selected Poems
This book offers a selection of 100 poems written by Eugene J McCarthy. His love for America has blessed us with political hope, and as a poet, his fine poetry provides a nourishment for our imaginations; poetry s critical role in culture. His experience as a U.S. Senator and a presidential candidate, along with other experiences are expressed well with the poems he shares here.
- GenresPoetry
154 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1997
6 people want to read
About the author
Eugene J. McCarthy
51 books1 follower Eugene Joseph "Gene" McCarthy was an American politician, poet & a long-time member of the Congress from Minnesota. He served in the House from 1949 to 1959 & the Senate from 1959 to 1971.
In the 1968 presidential election, McCarthy was the first candidate to challenge incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson for the Democratic nomination for president, running on an anti-Vietnam War platform. The unexpected vote total he achieved in the New Hampshire primary led Johnson to withdraw from the race & lured Robert F. Kennedy into the contest. He would unsuccessfully seek the presidency five times altogether.
In the 1968 presidential election, McCarthy was the first candidate to challenge incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson for the Democratic nomination for president, running on an anti-Vietnam War platform. The unexpected vote total he achieved in the New Hampshire primary led Johnson to withdraw from the race & lured Robert F. Kennedy into the contest. He would unsuccessfully seek the presidency five times altogether.
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August 28, 2025
Pleasantly surprised because I don't expect a politician to write good poetry.
Also surprised by the wide range of his poetry, from the devastating hard-hitting 'My Lai Conversation', though the small personal snippets made relatable and emotional ('No Deposit - No Return' and 'Courage at Sixty') and to the beautiful insights of small things ('Mouse', 'Tumbleweed'). Some would opine that a book of poetry is made stronger with a theme (or themes) and/or a consistent feeling to the poems, but I like the wide variety in this volume. Yes, there are those - mostly political - that have not aged well with time, and some such as tributes to poets I have not yet read which hold less meaning for me, but I remain impressed with this book and expect that I will come back to it in the future.
Also surprised by the wide range of his poetry, from the devastating hard-hitting 'My Lai Conversation', though the small personal snippets made relatable and emotional ('No Deposit - No Return' and 'Courage at Sixty') and to the beautiful insights of small things ('Mouse', 'Tumbleweed'). Some would opine that a book of poetry is made stronger with a theme (or themes) and/or a consistent feeling to the poems, but I like the wide variety in this volume. Yes, there are those - mostly political - that have not aged well with time, and some such as tributes to poets I have not yet read which hold less meaning for me, but I remain impressed with this book and expect that I will come back to it in the future.
Displaying 1 of 1 review