MAP      Poems After William Smith’s Geological Map of 1815

MAP Poems After William Smith’s Geological Map of 1815
by Michael McKimm


Two hundred years after the publication of the first geological map of an entire country, this groundbreaking anthology collects new work by over thirty poets inspired by William Smith, his revolutionary map, and the foundation of a science.

There are poems in this anthology that tell the story of Smith’s genius and his misfortune; poems about fossil hunting and map making; poems about the drive of the Industrial Revolution and our continuing reliance on fossil fuels. They illustrate not only the vibrancy and variety of contemporary poetry but also poetry’s unique ability to take on uncharted territory with vision: the poems here make Smith’s map anew in moving and surprising ways.

INCLUDES NEW POEMS BY:

Stephen Boyce ● Alison Brackenbury ● James Brookes ● Andy Brown ● Alan Buckley ● Peter Carpenter ● John Wedgwood Clarke ● Jane Commane ● Elizabeth Cook ● Barbara Cumbers ● Jonathan Davidson ● Isobel Dixon ● Maura Dooley ● Sally Flint ●  John Freeman ● Isabel Galleymore ● John Greening ● Philip Gross ● Alyson Hallett ● Ailsa Holland ● John McAuliffe ● Matt Merritt ● Helen Mort ● Andrew Motion ● David M. Orchard ● Mario Petrucci ● Kate Potts ● Peter Robinson ●  Penelope Shuttle ● George Ttoouli ● Anthony Wilson

“I heartily recommend this anthology. For the geologist, the insights of (mostly) non-geologists are thought-provoking and insightful. For the poet, and the poetically inclined, this anthology is a model for the imaginative and poetic visualisation of landscapes, geological detail, historic incident and great characters. I congratulate Michael McKimm for his vision, his ability to assemble so much talent and his realisation of such an attractively produced volume with Worple Press.”

John Henry, Chair of the History of Geology Group.  Read John’s full review here.

Read a review by Martin Noutch at London Grip magazine here.

Published: 02 April 2015
ISBN: 978 1 905208 32 6
Pages: 88
Price: £10.00