Ezra Pound and the Making of American Verse

"Ezra Pound and the Making of American Verse" explores the transformative influence of one of the most controversial and revolutionary figures in 20th-century literature. Through a deep dive into the life, work, and intellectual evolution of Ezra Pound, Dean Wallace examines how the poet's radical innovations in form, language, and cultural critique helped to shape modern American poetry. The book traces Pound's early years as an expatriate in Europe, his involvement with the Imagist movement, and his later development of the "Cantos," a monumental work that spanned history, politics, and literature. Wallace contextualizes Pound's work within the broader modernist movement and highlights his role in mentoring and influencing other major poets, including T.S. Eliot and William Carlos Williams. In addition to Pound's literary contributions, the book critically assesses his engagement with politics, his controversial support for fascism, and the ideological tensions that marred his legacy. The intersection of art and politics, as seen through Pound's career, raises difficult questions about the relationship between an artist's work and their personal beliefs. "Ezra Pound and the Making of American Verse" offers a comprehensive analysis of Pound's impact on American literature, examining both his groundbreaking literary achievements and the lasting controversies that surround his life and ideas. Through this exploration, the book illuminates the complexity of Pound's legacy and his pivotal role in the shaping of modern American poetry.