The old formalism

the long version

"Part 1 of The Old Formalism, "The Practice," is a close study of some of the conventions and developments in contemporary American poetry. In "Personae," the second part, he gives a studied reading of a group of several admired poets.". "This book takes a decided stand in the ongoing debate of the past two decades about the relationship of American poetry to American culture. In an age when image dominates word, and the business of poetry is nearly as celebrity - laden as Hollywood, Holden takes us past the media glitz, backstage where the poems are waiting to be read."--BOOK JACKET.