This anthology investigates the evolution of English-language poetry between 1945 and 1980 by curating works that emphasize civility, passion, and order. Editor D. J. Enright, a noted poet and critic, compiles this collection to provide a representative look at the post-war poetic landscape. By selecting forty poets from Britain, America, and the Commonwealth, Enright establishes a framework that prioritizes aesthetic quality and thematic cohesion over nationalistic categorization.

Critics often cite this volume as a standard reference for mid-twentieth-century verse, noting its clear editorial focus on traditional poetic virtues. Academic readers frequently use this text as a foundational resource for understanding the transition of poetic styles in the post-war era.