This book has example works from 20 major American poets, starting with Edward Taylor, 1645-1729, through W. H. Auden, 1907-1973. The book was published in 1962 so later poets are not included. It is an excellent source to access a variety of American poets without having to purchase numerous books. The focus is mainstream poets who have stood the test of time. I found it a wonderful textbook while in high school in the early 1970's, and read well beyond the required Frost and Poe sections.