'This is a comprehensive survey of Australian poetic achievement, ranging from early colonial and indigenous verse to contemporary work, from the major poets to those who deserve to be better recognised.' (Provided by the publisher).

'This anthology...is a negotiation of many spaces. That of poets and their work, the idea of "Australia", the idea of being "represented" in a different demographic (America), personal or textual issues with anthologiser, who else is being included (though none outside myself and the publishers have knowledge of this until publication). Vitally, whoat matters is the conversations that arise from the anthology going public, and how the poets and readers deal with this community that has been organically and artificially induced.' John Kinsella (Source: backcover)