Michael Bourgo

The Years Michael Bourgo

In "The Years: A Memoir of the 19th Century" poet Michael Bourgo combines his lifelong interest in history and poetry by offering a set of 24 long poems, each profiling a different year in that century. Beginning in 1801 and concluding in 1900, he explores the transformation of the Western world (still nearly medieval at the beginning of the century) into a completely different order at the dawn of the modern era in 1900. Along the way he touches on science and technology, government, philosophy, the arts, social movements and entertainment. Yet as the author would assure you, he had every intention of not producing a heavy handed tome of stiff learning. There's a smile on every page (a few tears, too-they can't be avoided) and you will be rewarded for your reading diligence with knowledge of the years that gave birth to rubber galoshes and hand held power drills. You'll encounter some of the most well-known figures of the era, like Mr. Lincoln-as well as making the acquaintance of some fascinating but lesser known influential persons. In short this is a book that sets out to prove that history is both entertaining and lyrical-and after reading it we think you will agree.