Heaven in a Wild Flower

The British Romantic Poets

By: Prof. Adam Potkay

Narrated by: Prof. Adam Potkay

Professor Adam Potkay brings his renowned expertise on the Romantic era to bear on the period's principal poets. Providing detailed analysis of the lives and works of literary luminaries such as Robert Burns, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, and John Keats, Professor Potkay examines the nature of Romantic poetry and provides insight on the stylistic flourishes and themes of this remarkable period.Download the accompanying reference guide.©2009 Adam Potkay (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

He taught me Chaucer To Johnson in College

It was so great to hear Dr. Potkay again. I had him as a professor at Rutgers. I was a Biochem major, but this was one of my favorite cIasses ever! I think he was just finishing up his PhD when he was my English lit professor.
Many of these Modern Scholar series are simply recordings of course lectures and the results are mixed. This is really well done! He actually wrote out his lectures and he delivers them more like a true audiobook. Because of this, his thoughts are far more concise and well developed. Even though they are delivered as lectures, they are more like chapters in a book.
You know Adam, that Norton anthology has a second volume, you might consider taking us all the way to T.S. Elliot.
(btw. he was also in a rock band in New Brunswick called Spiral Jetty. Just don't ask him to play 'I'm going to Marseille' he'll get very embarrassed.)

Enlightening and Entertaining

Where does Heaven in a Wild Flower rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I enjoyed this book very much. Potkay skillfully balances poetic analysis with the fascinating lives of these seven poets. His narrative held my attention from beginning to end and refreshed my memory of and fondness for the Romantic poets.

What other book might you compare Heaven in a Wild Flower to and why?

I've enjoyed most of the Modern Scholar audio books, but Professor Potkay does a particularly nice job. This series is excellent; the topics are interesting and well-presented. The narratives are accessible to the general reader without ever being condescending.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book. Don't be intimidated; extensive prior knowledge of the Romantics is unnecessary to understand and enjoy it. Even if you aren't sure you love Romantic poetry, you'll still love this book.