A Century of Poetry by Rowan Williams
For all who appreciate great poetry, one of the world's best-loved Christian writers and poets reflects on 100 of his favourite poems and why they have the power to change us.
‘A poet’s choiceA thoughtful, eclectic, original selection of poems, their power enhanced by conjunction with one another. No serious lover of poetry will want to be without this book.’ * A. N. Wilson, writer and broadcaster *
‘Rowan Williams is one of our best readers of poetry. He is an "all-round" reader, attending to the full range of details, questions and possibilities in a poem, and arriving at a remarkable depth of thinking in response. . . In my experience, spending time with Rowan Williams’s writing changes your life, as does great poetry. This book offers both.’ * Romana Huk, Associate Professor of English, University of Notre Dame *
‘Each poem in this collection is a door ajar, which Rowan Williams nudges open, inviting us in, where he carefully shows us around. He leaves us in a room of many windows, the light streaming in, our souls enriched, this book in our hand.’ * Frances Ward, Poetry Editor, Theology *
‘This is a compendium of poems you could spend a lifetime absorbing. Rowan Williams has gathered a diverse array of poets that grapple with mystery, ultimacy, and the terrifying beauty of being human. These are deep wells, and Williams is a gentle guide into the depths of riches.’ * James K.A. Smith, editor in chief, Image *
‘Rowan Williams and poetry have a lot in common. Both prefer honest complexity to dishonest simplicity. Both want to draw your attention to the space around words, to sound, epiphany, and emotional resonance, so that a more distilled understanding appears on the horizon. Brought together in this book, Williams patiently reflecting on poems from the last hundred years, they offer nothing less to us than an undeceiving of the world.’ * Mark Oakley, Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge *
‘Reading this book is going on a spiritual journey in which we are invited to leave behind our 'twined scaffolding' of fixed meaning to enter language as if from the inside and discern the divine 'pattern that informs' everything.’ * Alison Grant Milbank, Professor of Theology and Literature, University of Nottingham *
‘Most of us know Rowan Williams as one of our greatest theological minds, but he is also a talented poet and gifted teacher. Over the years, Rowan and I have talked literature and culture often, and this book reminds me of what I've received from those conversations: startling insights, warm humanity, and a constant reminder that we are connected by love and beauty to the Divine.’ * Greg Garrett, Professor of Literature and Culture, Baylor University, and Canon Theologian, American Cathedral in Paris *
'For sheer diversity and depth, there is nothing else like this book, and it will offer new layers and depths with many future re-readings.' -- Revd Dr Malcolm Guite, in Church Times
‘Rowan Williams is one of our best readers of poetry. He is an "all-round" reader, attending to the full range of details, questions and possibilities in a poem, and arriving at a remarkable depth of thinking in response. . . In my experience, spending time with Rowan Williams’s writing changes your life, as does great poetry. This book offers both.’ * Romana Huk, Associate Professor of English, University of Notre Dame *
‘Each poem in this collection is a door ajar, which Rowan Williams nudges open, inviting us in, where he carefully shows us around. He leaves us in a room of many windows, the light streaming in, our souls enriched, this book in our hand.’ * Frances Ward, Poetry Editor, Theology *
‘This is a compendium of poems you could spend a lifetime absorbing. Rowan Williams has gathered a diverse array of poets that grapple with mystery, ultimacy, and the terrifying beauty of being human. These are deep wells, and Williams is a gentle guide into the depths of riches.’ * James K.A. Smith, editor in chief, Image *
‘Rowan Williams and poetry have a lot in common. Both prefer honest complexity to dishonest simplicity. Both want to draw your attention to the space around words, to sound, epiphany, and emotional resonance, so that a more distilled understanding appears on the horizon. Brought together in this book, Williams patiently reflecting on poems from the last hundred years, they offer nothing less to us than an undeceiving of the world.’ * Mark Oakley, Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge *
‘Reading this book is going on a spiritual journey in which we are invited to leave behind our 'twined scaffolding' of fixed meaning to enter language as if from the inside and discern the divine 'pattern that informs' everything.’ * Alison Grant Milbank, Professor of Theology and Literature, University of Nottingham *
‘Most of us know Rowan Williams as one of our greatest theological minds, but he is also a talented poet and gifted teacher. Over the years, Rowan and I have talked literature and culture often, and this book reminds me of what I've received from those conversations: startling insights, warm humanity, and a constant reminder that we are connected by love and beauty to the Divine.’ * Greg Garrett, Professor of Literature and Culture, Baylor University, and Canon Theologian, American Cathedral in Paris *
'For sheer diversity and depth, there is nothing else like this book, and it will offer new layers and depths with many future re-readings.' -- Revd Dr Malcolm Guite, in Church Times
Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, PC, FBA, FRSL, FLSW, is a world renowned theological writer, teacher, and poet. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012) before becoming Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge (2012-2020). His most recent books include Dsicovering Christianity (2025), A Century of Poetry (2022), Collected Poems (2021), Luminaries (2019), Being Human (2018), God With Us (2017), Being Disciples (2016) and Being Christian (2014).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780281085521 |
| ISBN 10 | 0281085528 |
| Title | A Century of Poetry |
| Author | Rowan Williams |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | SPCK Publishing |
| Year published | 2022-09-15 |
| Number of pages | 400 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |