This anthology investigates the historical and stylistic breadth of poetic translation into English, arguing for the significance of this often-overlooked literary tradition. Charles Tomlinson, a noted poet and translator, curates this collection to demonstrate how English literature has been shaped and expanded by the assimilation of diverse global voices. By organizing these works chronologically and by source language, the text provides a framework for understanding the evolution of translation techniques across centuries.

Scholars and critics frequently cite this volume as a foundational reference for students of comparative literature and translation theory. Readers often note the academic rigor of the selection process and the impressive linguistic diversity represented within the anthology.