Description: "In No More Worlds to Conquer, local poet Brian Gilmore draws connections among and within the rich legacy of Black poets who have lived and worked in Washington, DC, since Paul Lawrence Dunbar in the late 1800s. Drawing on his original research, his own interviews of poets and writers in the community, and his deep knowledge of the literary community, Gilmore connects the dots between writers to show how they crossed paths and the influences among them. Through the book, the city's rich literary history and its influence within African American poetry becomes clear. Gilmore also reflects on these writers and how they connect to his own literary history, infusing the book with an intimacy that draws the reader in. There are few books about the literary history of DC, and what there is rarely focuses on Black poets and their community and practice. This book's unique approach will bridge the past with the present and illuminate the past and present's vibrant poetry community in Washington, DC"-- Provided by publisher.
Review Quotes:
Rich with D.C. cultural history, this is a well-researched testament to a place that has helped shape American literature.