Description
Literary Nonficton. Poetry History & Criticism. California Studies. VISIONS & AFFILIATIONS: A CALIFORNIA TIMELINE 1940-1980 is the first of a two-volume chronoencyclopedia of a scene that stretches over sixty-five years. People, ideas, and stories appear, disappear, and reappear as the second half of the century moves forward. Poetry is a major element in this kaleidoscopic California scene. It is argued about, dismissed, renewed, denounced in fury, asserted as divine, criticized as pornographic. Poetry is as Western as the Sierra foothills, and the questions raised here go to its very heart. Beginning with the publication of Kenneth Rexroth's first book, this all-encompassing history-as-collage plunges us forward into the 21st Century. California authors keep generating massive anthologies in an attempt to tame the chaos of California, to pretend it isn't there. Yet there it is—staring them in the face like a great bear, alive, hungry and more than a little dangerous.
Author Bio
Jack Foley has published fifteen books of poetry, five books of criticism, and VISIONS AND AFFILIATIONS (Pantograph Press, 2011), a "chronoencyclopedia" of California poetry from 1940 to 2005. His most recent books include WHEN SLEEP COMES: SHILLELAGH SONGS (Sagging Meniscus press, 2020), RIVERRUN ( Poetry Hotel Press, 2017), GRIEF SONGS (Sagging Meniscus Press, 2017), THE TIGER AND OTHER TALES (Sagging Meniscus press, 2016), EYES (Poetry Hotel Press, 2013), and THE "FALLEN WESTERN STAR" WARS (Scarlet Tanager Books, 2001). He became well known through his "multivoiced" performances with his late wife, Adelle, who was also a poet; many of these can be seen on YouTube. His radio show, "Cover to Cover," airs every Wednesday on KPFA- FM in California. In 2010, Foley received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Berkeley Poetry Festival.
Author City: OAKLAND, CA USA