This anthology investigates the state of contemporary American verse by curating a selection of poems that represent the aesthetic diversity of the year 1990. Editor David Lehman compiles works from a wide range of poets to provide a snapshot of the prevailing themes, forms, and voices active within the American literary landscape during this specific period. The collection serves as an archival record of the stylistic shifts and cultural preoccupations present in the poetry of the time.

Critics and scholars frequently cite this series as a standard reference for tracking the evolution of American poetic trends over several decades. Readers often note that the anthology provides a balanced view of both established poets and emerging voices within the literary community.