This volume seeks to provide a comprehensive historical survey of English and American poetic development from the thirteenth century through the mid-twentieth century. Louis Untermeyer, a noted poet and anthologist, utilizes his extensive editorial background to curate a selection that balances canonical masterpieces with representative works of various eras. The collection functions as a chronological framework, mapping the evolution of poetic form, meter, and thematic concerns across seven centuries of literary history.

This anthology is regarded as a standard reference work for students and enthusiasts seeking a broad overview of the English-language poetic tradition. Its enduring presence in library collections suggests a high level of editorial reliability and historical coverage for the period it encompasses.