Peter Balakian Book order

"Peter Balakian's "No Sign," the centerpiece of this book, is the third multi-sequenced long poem in a trilogy begun in "A-Train/Ziggurat/Elegy" (2010) and "Ozone Journal" (2015). The three poems follow a persona whose journey is informed by a series of experiences set in New York and the surrounding Jersey Cliffs from the 1970s to the present. In the mix of a dialogue between two lovers over decades, reminiscent of an eclogue updated via the film Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), we see an evolution of kaleidoscopic memory-from the haunted history of the Armenian Genocide to the AIDS epidemic, to climate change and the erosion of the planet-that gives the trilogy a unique historical power and psychological depth. The poems in the trilogy are defined by inventive collage-like fragmentation and elliptical, granular language. In the tradition of the American long poem from Walt Whitman and Hart Crane to Charles Olson, Balakian has created something new, what one critic has called, "a panoramic work of contemporary witness...of an unprecedented magnitude of violence and dissociation, as well as transcendent vision." Balakian rounds out this new collection with his signature lyrics and narrative poems, where seemingly minor, personal moments in one life expand into the vastness of our messy, shared history"--

Exploring the evolution of international human rights, this book highlights key figures and events that have shaped the movement. It delves into the struggles and triumphs of often-overlooked heroes who fought for justice and equality across different cultures and eras. By weaving together historical narratives and personal stories, the author sheds light on the ongoing challenges in the pursuit of human rights, emphasizing the importance of remembering those who have made significant contributions to this vital cause.

The collection showcases the finest works of a prize-winning poet and bestselling author, featuring a selection from his previous poetry alongside thirteen new pieces. Balakian's work reflects a mastery of language and deep emotional resonance, inviting readers to explore themes of memory, loss, and identity through his unique lens.

In this tenth anniversary edition of his award-winning memoir, New York Times bestselling author Peter Balakian has expanded his compelling story about growing up in the baby-boom suburbs of the '50s and '60s and coming to understand what happened to his family in the first genocide of the twentieth century—the Ottoman Turkish government's extermination of more than one million Armenians in 1915. In this new edition, Balakian continues his exploration of the Armenian Genocide with new chapters about his journey to Aleppo and his trip to the Der Zor desert of Syria in his pursuit of his grandmother's life, bringing us closer to the twentieth century's first genocide.