This is a unique work in the field of Irish Studies and an important contribution to understanding and interpreting Native American poetry. This is the first serious study to research and discuss the topical and social linkages of indigenous Irish and indigenous American Indian poets and poetry. Irish vernacular poetry is one of the oldest in Europe and topics such as loss, resistance, death, loneliness, space and time as well as hauntingly evocative images of gods, nature, sky, fields and rivers people act as a narrative of an entire society. Amerindian poetry also covers very similar ground with different outcomes. This work provides an anthology of modern poets of both traditions and discusses their work and their themes through the prism of outsider literature and the isolation of embattled first languages (like Irish, Shoshone, Navajo and Seminole) and the efforts of contemporary poets to speak to and for their people both in first languages and (as is the case with many Native Americans) English. Very few scholars have the knowledge and research experience in Irish Studies, Irish Language, Native American culture and literature and American poetry to create this groundbreaking research work and bring it to fruition. Happily that is the case with the scholars who have created this new and exciting work. Among the many Native American poets included are N. Scott momaday, Allison Adelle Hedge Coke, Luke Warm Water and Sherwin Butsui. Among the Irish poets: Proinsias Mac a' Bhaird, Mac Dara O'Luanaigh, Gabriel Rosenstock, Sean MacMathuna, Gearoid Mac Lochlainn and Biddy Jenkinson.
