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  • Published: 2 July 2021
  • ISBN: 9781405944557
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $22.99

Dancing By The Light of The Moon

Over 250 poems to read, relish and recite




A brand-new collection of Britain's best-loved poetry, handpicked by Gyles Brandreth

Following the recent success of the bestselling Have You Eaten Grandma? Gyles Brandreth is back with his next love-letter to language.

In his last book Gyles lamented the rise of emojis, this misuse of punctuation and the younger generation's lack-lustre approach to language. In this stunning new book, Gyles celebrates the finest uses of English by handpicking the ultimate anthology of Great Britain's best-loved poems.

He urges us to savour the perfect couplets, delicate words, and clever quips by learning these exquisite poems by heart. By savouring, memorising and sharing these poems we can begin to increase literacy rates, which are at an all-time low, while enriching our lives with the joy of language.

Gyles writes emphatically about the beauty, diversity and ingenuity of the language used in these poems, and the way in which they can transform our lives.

  • Published: 2 July 2021
  • ISBN: 9781405944557
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $22.99

About the author

Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster, veteran of Just A Minute, QI and The One Show, former MP and Government Whip, now Chancellor of the University of Chester and founder of the 'Poetry Together' project bringing schoolchildren and older people together to learn poetry by heart. His many books include the best-selling poetry anthology, Dancing by the Light of the Moon, and the international best-seller about spelling and punctuation, Have You Eaten Grandma? With Susie Dent, the lexicographer from Countdown, he co-hosts the award-winning podcast, Something Rhymes With Purple. With Dame Sheila Hancock he presents Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4. With Dame Maureen Lipman he is a regular on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Gyles is married to writer and publisher Michèle Brown and has three children, seven grandchildren, and lives in London with his wife, his jumpers, and Nala, the neighbour's cat.

Also by Gyles Brandreth

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Praise for Dancing By The Light of The Moon

A passionate and rousing manifesto on the power and pleasure of learning poetry by heart

Optima

To instil a love of literature, a copy of Dancing by the Light of the Moon ought to find its way into every home in the land

Daily Mail, Book of the Week

Brandreth provides over 400 pages of top-notch poems by everyone from Shakespeare to Simon Armitage. But his mission is to get you learning the poems by heart

Mail Online

A celebration of poetry packed full of wonderful verses

Planet Mindful

Gyles Brandreth has compiled a collection of 250 poems that he believes will transform your memory and change your life. I couldn't agree me

Dr Max Pemberton, Daily Mail

Gyles has discovered the secret of finding happiness through learning poetry by heart. It's wonderful and so much fun

Dame Judi Dench

This compendium is an enthusiastic and emphatic call to appreciate all forms of poetry

Radio Times

For a poem fitting for every occasion, make sure you add this book to your shopping cart ASAP

Glamour UK