Book excerpt: "George Oppen's New Collected Poems gathers in one volume all of the poet's books published in his lifetime (1908-84), as well as his previously uncollected poems and a selection of his unpublished work." "Editor Michael Davidson has written an introduction to the poet's life and work and supplies generous notes that give readers a deeper understanding of the background of the individual books and references in the poems. Essayist Eliot Weinberger provides a personal remembrance of the poet in his preface, "Oppen Then." This new, revised paperback edition also includes an extraordinary CD of the poet reading from each of his poetry books. Culled from obscure, rarely heard recordings of Oppen when he was in New York, San Francisco, and London at different times in his life, the CD adds a unique dimension to the lifework of one of America's finest poets."--BOOK JACKET.