Scope and Contents Harriet Staff reviewed the book in Poetry News November 28, 2012: Ian Hamilton Finlay's new book, Selections (UC Press 2012), edited with an introduction by Alec Finlay, has been reviewed over at Booktryst. Alastair Johnston writes of Finlay's later-life recognition, noting that "[a]mong the most fatal accolades one can achieve is to be called "greatest living' anything." What follows is his poetic work in biographical context, down to the garden art (the post also includes great photos of Finlay's early books and ephemera; and links to other concrete poets and related resources): This new book compacts much of his writing into one volume. His early poems are mostly negligible, but the odd memorable line occurs ("The dancers inherit the party"-- also the title of his first book of poems). Glasgow Beasts is a charming series of childlike verses written in broad Gleskae dialect. (Finlay's early battles with the dole come off like an episode of Rab C Nesbit.)In 1963, Finlay began to...

Scope and Contents

The prior published essays in this book, edited by Ian Hamilton Finlay's son, present a comprehensive survey of his father's poetry and art, from 1958 to 1995. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.