The Tower

In The Tower, W. B. Yeats crafts a profound and introspective collection of poetry that stands as one of the crowning achievements of his literary career. Published in 1928, this work reflects Yeats’s mature voice, blending rich symbolism, philosophical inquiry, and a deep engagement with the complexities of aging, creativity, and the passage of time. The poems in The Tower oscillate between the personal and the universal, exploring themes of mortality, legacy, and the eternal struggle between the material and spiritual worlds.

Central to the collection are iconic poems such as "Sailing to Byzantium," a meditation on art and immortality, and "Leda and the Swan," a haunting exploration of myth, power, and transformation. Yeats’s masterful use of imagery and metaphor invites readers into a world where the personal and the mythical intertwine, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition. The Tower is not merely a collection of poems but a journey through the landscapes of the mind and soul, where beauty, despair, and transcendence coexist.

This special annotated edition of The Tower enriches the reading experience with:

• An illuminating biography of W. B. Yeats, shedding light on the experiences that shaped his writing.
• An annotated guide to Yeats’s other works, offering context and connections to his broader literary legacy.

A masterpiece of modern poetry, The Tower continues to captivate readers with its emotional depth, intellectual rigor, and timeless relevance. This beautifully annotated edition invites both new and seasoned readers to discover Yeats’s exploration of life, art, and the eternal with fresh perspectives and deeper understanding.

About the author

W. B. Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, playwright, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and a co-founder of the Abbey Theatre, Yeats’s works, including The Wild Swans at Coole, The Winding Stair, and The Tower, are celebrated for their lyrical beauty, symbolic depth, and profound engagement with Irish mythology and the human condition. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, Yeats remains a towering figure in world literature, whose legacy continues to inspire and resonate with readers across generations.