A Shropshire Lad

<p><b>A collectible new Penguin Classics series: stunning clothbound editions of ten favourite poets which present each poet's most famous book of verse as it was originally published. Designed by the acclaimed Coralie Bickford-Smith and beautifully set these slim A format volumes are the ultimate gift editions for poetry lovers.</b><br><br><i>A Shropshire Lad</i> was first published in 1896 at A. E. Housman's own expense. The collection of lyrical poems became hugely successful following the Second Boer War and World War I with themes such as nostalgia for one's home and the patriotic celebration of the life of the solider striking a chord with English readers. This collection contains Housman's greatest works demonstrating the lyrical precision and emotional depth of his writing. It includes 'To an Athlete Dying Young' a lyrical elegy to a life lost at its prime and 'When I was One-and-Twenty' a love poem on the ignorance of youth.</p>