This volume investigates the historical trajectory and thematic evolution of Canadian poetry from its colonial origins through the mid-twentieth century. A. J. M. Smith, a prominent poet and scholar, curates this collection to establish a canon of Canadian verse that reflects both the influence of British traditions and the emergence of a distinct national voice. The work serves as a critical framework for understanding how Canadian poets navigated the tension between inherited forms and the realities of a developing northern landscape.

Scholars and critics frequently cite this anthology as a foundational text for the study of Canadian literature. Readers often note the academic rigor of the selection process and the historical depth provided by Smith's editorial commentary.