A Guide to the Maximus Poems of Charles Olson offers an essential companion to Olson's monumental and intricate Maximus Poems. This scholarly guide navigates the complexities of Olson’s allusive and expansive verse, which spans themes from local Gloucester history to universal mythologies. With nearly 4,000 annotations, the guide meticulously decodes references to historical figures, literary works, geographical landmarks, and philosophical concepts. It moves line by line, offering insight into Olson’s sources and intellectual framework, including his borrowings from Algonquin legends, Arabic angelology, and Whitehead’s cosmology. Rich with unpublished material from Olson’s papers, as well as letters, interviews, and classroom notes, the guide aims to equip readers with the tools to actively engage with Olson's text, uncovering its layered meanings through his principle of ‘istorin—"to find out for oneself."

Structured chronologically rather than alphabetically, the guide mirrors the progression of Olson’s three-volume epic, weaving historical scholarship with interpretive clarity. Each annotation situates Olson’s references in context, revealing the intricate interplay between history, myth, and the poet's life in Gloucester. The guide further illuminates Olson’s creative process, tracing the evolution of his ideas through drafts, personal correspondences, and published works. Designed as both a reference and an entry point into Olson’s ambitious poetic project, it not only deepens appreciation for The Maximus Poems but also serves as a model for literary scholarship, inviting readers to engage with Olson’s world on their own intellectual journey.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1980.