One of the best depictions of the US spoken word scene I've come across, with the author focusing largely on the development of the poetry scene around the Nuyorican Cafe in New York (with a brief and improbable detour to Leamington Spa, where he learns the meaning of the words 'mandem' and 'trainers.') Bennett speaks beautifully and unrestrainedly about the transformative power spoken word had on his life, and the poems he writes about his sister and about growing up as one of the 'talented tenth' demonstrate a skill that I only wish I'd seen live. My only criticism would be that there is little discussion of the scene outside America, which feels like a missed opportunity, particularly given that Bennett visited the UK (perhaps he didn't think much of it or it didn't reach Coventry)? and our spoken word practice in the 2010s was very informed by theirs, despite the history of the UK spoken word and US spoken word being rooted in slightly different traditions. Still, there's more about what unites us here than what divides us, and if spoken word was formative to your creative practice in any way, as it was for me, this is a must-read book.

'From the streets to the streets'

An more-than-competent history of performance poetry, from its earliest days in the ghettos and barrios of America to its current ubiquity and position as a counterpoint to academic poetry

A fascinating, captivating story of an incredible art form. A real eye-opener, this one. So glad I came across it.