The Essential Rumi

The Essential Rumi

This revised and expanded edition of The Essential Rumi includes a new introduction by Coleman Barks and more than 80 never-before-published poems. Through his lyrical translations, Coleman Barks has been instrumental in bringing this exquisite literature to a remarkably wide range of readers, making the ecstatic, spiritual poetry of thirteenth-century Sufi Mystic Rumi more popular than ever. The Essential Rumi continues to be the bestselling of all Rumi books, and the definitive selection of his beautiful, mystical poetry. “In this...delightful treasury, Barks sparklingly demonstrates once again why his free-form interpertations of [Rumi’s] poetry...have been a major impetus for the current Rumi vogue.” - Publishers Weekly “The Essential Rumi is a rare and precious book that will stir the hearts of Rumi devotees and win many new converts.” - Body Mind Spirit “The 13th-century Persian mystic’s words continue to resonate, particularly in this translation, which offers a remarkably contemporary voice.” - Oprah.com From the premier interpreter of Rumi comes the first definitive one-volume collection of the enduringly popular spiritual poetry by the extraordinary thirteenth-century Sufi mystic. Coleman Barks is a renowned poet and the bestselling author of The Essential Rumi , Rumi: The Big Red Book , The Soul of Rumi , Rumi: The Book of Love , and The Drowned Book . He was prominently featured in both of Bill Moyers' PBS television series on poetry, The Language of Life and Fooling with Words . He taught English and poetry at the University of Georgia for thirty years, and he now focuses on writing, readings, and performances.