IMAGINATION'S OTHER PLACE

A fine collection of poetry written through the ages- ""Poems of Science and Mathematics"" as the subtitle reads- which we hope will be given a fighting chance to reach as many young readers as possible. When it does, it will do the job of inspiration well, for the collection as a whole combines qualities of poetic beauty and familiar scientific phenomena to give a satisfying recognition to a wide variety of readers. The selections have been divided into different sections- on creation, on forms in nature, on animal life, on astronomy. Each, with its introduction by the editor, serves to clarify and magnify the connections, for example between Genesis and a stanza by T. S. Eliot on scientific discovery, or between Pope's Essay on Man and Dylan Thomas' note on ""The force that through the green fuse drives the flower"". There are notable omissions and much could have been contributed from the work of Milton, Keats and John Donne, who are not present. Despite this, the anthology is an admirable drawing from many works and the striking scientifically symbolic prints by Clare Leighton enhance the meanings still further. Note for adult sales and as a useful school text.