An interesting grouping of his poems, selected by English poet and translator Michael Hofmann. Lowell, I think, may be in the same category as Milton and Joyce--a writer who "made" himself through sheer intellectual endeavor combined with talent. The sense of striving toward greatness is palpable. It means, for me at least, that I don't necessarily "like" much of the writing, but its intelligence and mindfulness is impossible to deny.