This broad selection of Australian poets begins with Kenneth Slessor, and offers a challenging view of 'early modern' poetry up until the 1960s. It also presents the decade of turmoil from 1965 to 1975 in a new light, identifying currents of energy among the young writers and balancing new reputations with old. The years from 1965 to the 1990s are revealed as a time of growing vigour and diversity.