Duffell (language, linguistics and film, Queen Mary, University of London) provides a comprehensive look at the development of English metric poetry. In this book intended for students and
teachers of literature, he starts by defining the terms used and giving examples of various forms of meter. From this he continues to the Latin, Old French and German roots of English poetry
before explaining the evolution of poetic forms from the Anglo-Saxons to the present use of free verse. He demonstrates the patterns in these forms, emphasizing these rather than giving
individual analyses of many poets. His extensive bibliography will guide students to more specific works. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation 穢2009 Book News,
Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
