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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.6/5)
Genre: Poetry Anthology, English Literature, Classics, Educational, Literary Collections

Book Review:
Dover Publications' ''100 Best-Loved Poems'' is an exceptional value and a perfect introduction to the vast landscape of English-language poetry. Edited by Philip Smith, this anthology lives up to its title by collecting poems that are not only popular but are also considered literary masterpieces, ensuring both accessibility and artistic merit.

The selection is thoughtfully curated, spanning from Christopher Marlowe in the 16th century to Dylan Thomas in the 20th, with heavyweights like Shakespeare, Donne, Wordsworth, Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Yeats, and Robert Frost in between. It includes iconic works such as ''The Raven,'' ''Ode to the West Wind,'' ''The Road Not Taken,'' and ''Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.''

As part of the Dover Thrift Editions series, this book is a triumph of making great literature affordable and portable. Each poet is given a brief, helpful introduction, and the book includes indexes of titles and first lines for easy reference. The publisher also notes that it includes selections aligned with the Common Core educational standards, making it a useful resource for students and teachers.

Whether you are a poetry novice seeking a guided tour of the classics, a student needing a reliable anthology, or a seasoned reader wanting a compact collection of favorites for quiet reflection, this book delivers. It's a treasure trove of human emotion and linguistic beauty that proves why these poems have been loved for generations.