Anyone fortunate enough to read an Ed Hirsch column in the American Poetry Review knows that this man's enthusiasm for poetry is unparalleled. In his book How to Read a Poem & Fall in Love with Poetry, Hirsch offers his bottomless understanding of poetry's necessity, showcasing his ability dig dig into the souls of great poets to answer the question "what is poetry for?"

I found myself smiling and nodding my head in agreement with his comments about poets I've never heard of. When someone can get me so interested in a poet about whom I know nothing with just a few pages in a book, I know I am reading the work of an incredibly deft mind.

Yes, this book does have the ability to transform people into poetry fans, but readers must first have some sort of interest or passion for poetry. If you've got that, Hirsch does all the rest for you.

- Rambles
written by Gianmarc Manzione
published 22 March 2003