Stephen Vincent Benet

Young adventure: A book of poems is a vibrant collection that celebrates the energy, dreams, and reflections of youth. Through a variety of verses, it captures the exhilaration of new experiences and the emotional depth of coming-of-age journeys. The poet's language brims with imagery that brings to life the wonder of romantic encounters, the quiet charm of nature, and the inner confrontations of self-discovery. Some poems embrace light hearted anticipation, while others linger on nostalgia, exploring the bittersweet nature of change and growth. Moments of personal challenge are depicted alongside scenes of joy and curiosity, illustrating the multifaceted nature of youth. The collection offers an intimate look at the longing for adventure, the pursuit of meaning, and the way memory shapes identity. It reflects the restless spirit of being young, blending tender emotion with spontaneous vigor. Each piece becomes a tribute to that fleeting chapter of life where dreams are vibrant and the world feels vast, yet intimately personal.

This early work by Stephen Vincent Ben t was originally published in 1937 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'The Devil and Daniel Webster' is a short story about a successful lawyer who believes you can win your soul back from the devil. Stephen Vincent Ben t was born on 22nd July 1898 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. Ben t was an accomplished writer at an early age, having had his first book published at 17 and submitting his third volume of poetry in lieu of a thesis for his degree. During his time at Yale, he was an influential figure at the 'Yale Lit' literary magazine, and a fellow member of the Elizabethan Club. Ben t was also a part-time contributor for the early Time Magazine. Ben t's best known works are the book-length narrative poem American Civil War, John Brown's Body (1928), for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1929, and two short stories, The Devil and Daniel Webster (1936) and By the Waters of Babylon (1937). Ben t won a second Pulitzer Prize posthumously for his unfinished poem Western Star in 1944.

An exploration of race and heritage, For My People is the first book by poet and novelist Margaret Walker (1915–1998) and the 41st volume of the Yale Series of Younger Poets Considered among the most important collections of poetry written by a participant in the Black Chicago Renaissance, For My People is a series of ballad poems with memorable characters, including the New Orleans sorceress Molly Means; Kissie Lee, a tough young woman who dies “with her boots on switching blades”; Poppa Chicken, an urban drug dealer and pimp; John Henry, killed by a ten-pound hammer; and Stagolee, who kills a white officer but eludes a lynch mob. The memorable title poem evokes the power of resilience not only for black people, but for all people.