How to Read and Understand Poetry

by Willard Spiegelman

Part 1 and Part 2 , 12 Lectures/ 30 minutes each. Total of 12 Audio CD's

Genres: Poetry, Audiobook, Literature, Nonfiction, Writing

6 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jared Gillins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay overall. I definitely prefer Robert Greenberg of the music lectures to this lecturer, but I'm glad I listened to these.

Honestly, a lot of the more technical bit about meter and such didn't stick with me, but I gleaned some useful ideas about how to read and enjoy poetry:

1. Poetry is an excuse to play with words and language, and to make them do new and interesting things.
2. Poetry takes a little effort to really get it (like reading scripture). You have to think about various aspects of a poem to appreciate it. (Is the poet doing something interesting with meter? With rhyme? With how certain words are used? With sentence construction? Symbolism? Etc.)
3. It's worth taking time to explore and find poets and poetry that you like. Just like novelists and their novels, just like musicians and their music.

Anyway, maybe I could have figured that out without 12 hours of lectures, but I'm still glad I listened.

[J.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't feel like I've taken a master course on poetry, but rather a sampling of a master course, but I am now a bit more knowledgable on the subject of poetry, at least a little. Which is better than more confusion, let me tell you. I have for most of my life struggled with poetry, but I want to overcome that, hence why I chose this program. I found the choices to be good, the selections interesting, the length of the classes to be perfect for a modern world (if you doze off maybe its time to lay off the TV), though I could have used a good twenty minutes longer, at times he seems out of breath trying to get all his points said in time.

Tip: read the poems ahead of time at least twice. Plus the questions in the manual are handy if you want to do some thinking in your spare time on the individual poetic subjects.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to these recorded 30 minute lessons about poetry and was rewarded with an academic college level series of lectures which was very informative and worthwhile to me, as it would be to anyone who loves poetry.

[Mario Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good foundation... very broad, doesn't go deep by any stretch but very pleasant to listen. Recommended if your knowledge of the inner and bolts of poetry is shallow.

[Kevin McAvoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I tried.
Made it to 8 hours in this 12 hour course.
It explained a lot about how poetry is formed and styled but it did not make the poetry any more enjoyable.
Knowing what formula the poem uses is just a matter of analysis and figuring out the method is just not enough entertainment for me.
Most of the poems quoted are considered famous and classic but they were also boring.
Not my cup of tea.

[Marti Martinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only disappointed that the book did not contain the poems he both referenced and read. The CD is a GREAT listen; I've done it several times.

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like it. But I have a hard time with most poetry.

[Jennifer Medlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audio book and it was quite good. I could definitely review it again and again and learn something new each time. Overall - a really great review of poetry.