The Complete Poems of Sir Thomas Moore by Thomas Moore

(5 User reviews)   958
By Jason Bauer Posted on Jan 12, 2026
In Category - Comedy Writing
Moore, Thomas, 1779-1852 Moore, Thomas, 1779-1852
English
Okay, I have to tell you about this book I just dove into. It's not a novel—it's a collection of poems by Thomas Moore, who was basically the rockstar poet of the early 1800s. Forget dry, dusty verses. This book is a time capsule. You get fiery Irish nationalist songs written while he was living in England, witty and sometimes savage satires about society, and these incredibly tender, heartbreaking love lyrics. The main 'conflict' is right there in the pages: a man caught between worlds, pouring his homesickness, his political anger, and his romantic heart into words that still feel alive. It's a direct line to the soul of a fascinating era.
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History, Commerce, Art, &c., of this celebrated and interesting nation. Kenrick, making a free use of the stores of knowledge thus accumulated, added to them much information derived from modern research, and was content to give to the world in a single volume of small size,[02] very scantily illustrated, the ascertained results of criticism and inquiry on the subject of the Phoenicians up to his own day. Forty-four years have since elapsed; and in the course of them large additions have been made to certain branches of the inquiry, while others have remained very much as they were before. Travellers, like Robinson, Walpole, Tristram, Renan, and Lortet, have thrown great additional light on the geography, geology, fauna, and flora of the country. Excavators, like Renan and the two Di Cesnolas, have caused the soil to yield up most valuable remains bearing upon the architecture, the art, the industrial pursuits, and the manners and customs of the people. Antiquaries, like M. Clermont-Ganneau and MM. Perrot and Chipiez, have subjected the remains to careful examination and criticism, and have definitively fixed the character of Phoenician Art, and its position in the history of artistic effort. Researches are still being carried on, both in Phoenicia Proper and in the Phoenician dependency of Cyprus, which are likely still further to enlarge our knowledge with respect to Phoenician Art and Archæology; but it is not probable that they will affect seriously the verdict already delivered by competent judges on those subjects. The time therefore appeared to the author to have come when, after nearly half a century of silence, the history of the people might appropriately be rewritten. The subject had long engaged his thoughts, closely connected as it is with the histories of Egypt, and of the “Great Oriental Monarchies,” which for thirty years have been to him special objects of study; and a work embodying the chief results of the recent investigations seemed to him a not unsuitable termination to the historical efforts which his resignation of the Professorship of Ancient History at Oxford, and his entrance upon a new sphere of labour, bring naturally to an end. The author wishes to express his vast obligations to MM. Perrot and Chipiez for the invaluable assistance which he has derived from their great work,[03] and to their publishers, the MM. Hachette, for their liberality in allowing him the use of so large a number of MM. Perrot and Chipiez’ Illustrations. He is also much beholden to the same gentlemen for the use of charts and drawings originally published in the “Géographie Universelle.” Other works from which he has drawn either materials or illustrations, or both, are (besides Movers’ and Kenrick’s) M. Ernest Renan’s “Mission de Phénicie,” General Di Cesnola’s “Cyprus,” A. Di Cesnola’s “Salaminia,” M. Ceccaldi’s “Monuments Antiques de Cypre,” M. Daux’s “Recherches sur les Emporia Phéniciens,” the “Corpus Inscriptionum Semiticarum,” M. Clermont-Ganneau’s “Imagerie Phénicienne,” Mr. Davis’s “Carthage and her Remains,” Gesenius’s “Scripturæ Linguæque Phoeniciæ Monumenta,” Lortet’s “La Syrie d’aujourd’hui,” Serra di Falco’s “Antichità della Sicilia,” Walpole’s “Ansayrii,” and Canon Tristram’s “Land of Israel.” The difficulty has been to select from these copious stores the most salient and noteworthy facts, and to marshal them in such a form as would make them readily intelligible to the ordinary English reader. How far he has succeeded in doing this he must leave the public to judge. In making his bow to them as a “Reader” and Writer “of Histories,”[04] he has to thank them for a degree of favour which has given a ready sale to all his previous works, and has carried some of them...

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Let's clear something up first: this isn't a book with a plot in the traditional sense. 'The Complete Poems of Sir Thomas Moore' is a journey through the mind and heart of one of Ireland's most celebrated writers. It collects everything from the 'Irish Melodies'—lyrics set to traditional tunes that became anthems—to his narrative poems, sharp political satires, and personal verses.

The Story

There's no single story. Instead, you travel with Moore. One poem has you in a smoky Dublin pub, feeling the ache for a homeland under British rule. The next, you're in a glittering London drawing room, laughing at his clever takedown of a pompous lord. Then, he switches gears completely with a love poem so sweet and sincere it makes you pause. The 'story' is the life of a complex man: an Irish patriot writing for an English audience, a social critic moving in high society, a romantic prone to deep melancholy.

Why You Should Read It

I was surprised by how accessible and emotional a lot of this is. We often put 19th-century poets on a pedestal, but Moore writes about exile, love, and injustice in a way that cuts straight through. His famous song 'The Minstrel Boy' still gives me chills. Reading him, you understand why his work was so wildly popular. It's not just clever; it's full of genuine feeling. You get the wit of Jane Austen's world mixed with the fierce pride of Irish rebellion.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone curious about the Romantic era beyond just Wordsworth and Keats. If you love history, especially Irish history, this is an essential, vibrant primary source. It's also great for poetry newcomers—dip in and out, find what speaks to you. Maybe skip it if you only want fast-paced fiction, but if you're ready for a rich, conversational, and often moving trip to the past, Thomas Moore is a brilliant guide.



🟢 Public Domain Content

This digital edition is based on a public domain text. It is available for public use and education.

Amanda Sanchez
3 months ago

This stood out immediately because the author avoids unnecessary jargon, which is refreshing. One of the best books I've read this year.

Deborah Torres
3 months ago

While comparing similar resources, the tone remains consistent and professional throughout. Time very well spent.

John Carter
2 months ago

I didn’t realize how engaging this would be until it provides a comprehensive overview that is perfect for students and experts alike. An impressive piece of work.

Oliver Walker
2 months ago

At first glance, the content flows smoothly from one chapter to the next. This sets a high standard for similar books.

Oliver Nguyen
2 months ago

What caught my attention immediately was that the content remains relevant throughout without filler. Worth every second of your time.

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4 out of 5 (5 User reviews )

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