RipRap and Cold Mountain Poems

By: Gary Snyder

Narrated by: Gary Snyder

By any measure, Gary Snyder is one of the greatest poets in America in the last century. From his first book of poems to his latest collection of essays, his work and his example, standing between Tu Fu and Thoreau, has been influential all over the world.

Riprap, his first book of poems, was published in Japan in 1959 by Origin Press, and it is the 50th anniversary of that groundbreaking book that is celebrated with this new edition. A small press reprint of that book included Snyder's translations of Han Shan's Cold Mountain Poems, perhaps the finest translations of that remarkable poet ever made into English.

For the 50th anniversary, Snyder reads all the poems in this collection, with introductions and asides. The recording, made in the poet's home by Jack Loeffler, marks the first time a complete reading has ever been available in a commercial edition.

One of the finest collections of poems published in the 20th century, this edition will please those already familiar with this work and excite a new generation of listeners with its profound simplicity and spare elegance.

©1958, 1959, 1965 Gary Snyder (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Listen to for 1000 nights and never long enough

RipRap, Gary Snyder's meditations on mountain life are masterfully observant of his 1950s wanderings. Those of you who’ve heard Gary read in person will feel like he’s right next to you, that incredible voice. I feel the chill air, "Sleeping in saddle blankets under a bright night sky," and smell the cedar burning in the woodstove. It's palatable.

His translation of Han Shan’s "Cold Mountain Poems" maintains all the cranky humor with the exalted natural beauty. I became the puckish monk in the wilderness, intimate with all around me.

Masterpiece.

simplicity

Poetry for the minimalist taoist and ripe with romantic nature-loving contemplation. Gary Snyder's adoration of Japan and the Japanese is easily transmitted through sparingly described imagery. Clear Taoist influence in his writing style; you have to fall into the rhythym of his words like a wave.

Rugged and Beautiful

Gary Snyder is a beautiful, rugged, and deceivingly austere poet and writer from the Beat Generation, and the nature writing tradition in California. There are also many Buddhist, particularly Zen riddles, throughout.

very nice, relaxing, reminiscing and so true.

A fifteen word review would just spoil the simplicity of the authors words. Just be there on the journey and with him on Cold Mountain.

Poetry to cleanse the Soul

After reading Patterson’s tale of Jeffrey Epstein’s sad filthy pathology, I needed to see the sky, trees, creeks and cold mountains through Gary Snyder’s words, listen to birdsongs, dance with him in Cartagena’s Dive Bars and hear the Timeless verses of Zen Masters.