This isn't a one-volume history of post-War British poetry. Given the mass of writing about the post-War period, Duncan says, "Generally, if you read ten books on recent literary history you do find that they do all say the same things. I intend to bang on until you complain about me including too much."

This isn't a one-volume history of post-War British poetry. Given the mass of writing about the post-War period, Duncan like a footballer, says he must "go for space". He has "selectively" gathered unfamiliar information. As he says, "Generally, if you read ten books on recent literary history you do find that they do all say the same things. This makes reading them a wearing experience. I intend to bang on until you complain about me including too much."