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2 books match the query 'William Stafford'
On William Stafford
The Worth of Local ThingsTom Andrews, Editor
University of Michigan Press, 1995
The late William Stafford's poetry and essays have had a major influence on contemporary American poetry. Since his book Traveling Through the Dark won the National Book Award in 1963, his awards have grown exponentially as new work has appeared. The range of writers in the past four decades who have celebrated Stafford's work-- from Margaret Atwood to James Dickey-- is remarkable. On William Stafford: The Worth of Local Things helps clarify the precise nature of Stafford's influence by assembling the responses of some of our best poets and critics to his work, including Richard Hugo, Charles Simic, Louis Simpson, Robert Coles, Linda Pastan, and Robert Creeley. This collection offers a unique view of Stafford's sometimes controversial work and insight into several of the liveliest recent debates in poetics.
Tom Andrews is Assistant Professor of English, Ohio University.
William Stafford
The Shadow PoetSteve Paul
Oregon State University Press, 2027
From the Kansas outdoors to Oregon classrooms, William Stafford (1914–1993) led a vibrantly original life navigated with ambition and mission. In poetry crafted in everyday language, a conversational tone, and richly accessible introspection, he invited readers to question and explore nature, humanity, and the American West. After he won the National Book Award in poetry and the Shelley Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America and served as the Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (a role known today as US Poet Laureate), his talent became recognized around the world. The accolades and achievements continued, including Stafford later spending fifteen years as the Poet Laureate of Oregon.
A character shaped by duty, adventure, a sharp sense of humor, and a strong moral compass, Stafford remains a beloved American poet. In William Stafford: The Shadow Poet, the first comprehensive biography, Steve Paul shares fascinating stories and frequently surprising accounts of Stafford’s life and work. The book traces Stafford from his humble origins through periods of social courage, the complications of his wartime alternative service, dedication to writing, and family tragedy. It explores how his pacifist world views and eco-consciousness continue to inspire those returning to his work or discovering it for the first time. Paul uncovers various layers of the poet’s life—through his philosophy, friends, family, teaching, and writing—and contemplates how Stafford’s metaphoric shadows, found frequently in his poems, figure into his life and career.