I got this book as a gift from my husband. I've been an insomniac for about a year and lately I have found this beautiful book the best comfort for when I am awake at night. Shakespeare, Melville, Plath, Kenyon, Rukeyser and amazing writing by poets I had not heard of like Gunnar Ekel, Melissa Kirsch, Adrien Stoutenburg. I recommend it highly.

I first saw this book in my university bookstore. I was tempted, but didn't shell out the money at first. Approximately a month later, dealing with an inability to sleep soundly, I bought the book as an experiment. For every time I woke up in the night, I would read one poem. I am now, approximately one month later, halfway through the book and enjoying it immensely. Every poem is either an old acknowledged classic or completely new to me. The range of poems on the same topic, but varying so far afield in all other respects, is amazing. If Spaar complies any more anthologies in the future, she has a ready customer waiting.