Barrett, Faith & Miller, Cristanne, eds. Words for the Hour: A New Anthology of American Civil War Poetry.

BARRETT, Faith & MILLER, Cristanne, eds. "Words for the hour"; a new anthology of American Civil War poetry. Univ. of Massachusetts Press. 396p. notes, illus, c2005. 1-55649-509-6. $24.95. JSA*

This is an annotated and effective organization of the poetry written during and about the Civil War. The first and largest section contains poetry published in newspapers and periodicals before, during and after the war. These poems, arranged by date of publication, range from well-known works such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" through lyrics to "All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight" to the many poems sent in to the newspapers of the era, in which poetry was a widespread means of self-expression. The second section contains works from collections and volumes of Civil War poetry from such authors as Whitman, Melville, Timrod, Whittier and Harper. The third and briefest section contains unpublished or posthumously published poems; only two poets are included here, Dickinson and Baker. The volume also contains a Civil War timeline, a glossary of Civil War terms, and brief biographies of all poets included. Highly recommended for all reference collections. Patricia Moore, Chestnut Hill, MA