Hopefully, dear reader, you have scrolled down here before actually purchasing this book. You see, this is where you ought to find something about the author's experience, credentials, and expertise. You get to know him a bit, and perhaps feel more compelled to buy his book. It is, therefore, imperative that an author establish his credibility and authority. There is, however, one problem with Dan Schutten: he has none. But he doesn't need any, does he? It's just a book of his own poems, hardly classics, which are by his own admission quite unextraordinary at best. So, it doesn't matter that he has all of one bachelor's degree (a BA in mathematics, if you can believe it) - sure, he minored in French, but so does every wannabe linguist these days. Schutten's work, then, is completely subjective and, consequently, probably completely irrelevant to an intelligent reader like yourself. And that's just the issue these days: anyone can self-publish a book. Any no-name, inexperienced moron can type up whatever pops into his head, however inane or profane, and have it published. I mean, trees have literally died to make this book; and what for? To satisfy some passing whim of a 29 year-old teacher at a classical liberal arts academy? It's ridiculous. Ok, he loves poetry, and he's passionate about writing and teaching young people to love writing well. Fine. Give him a medal. But for Pete's sake, don't buy this book; you'll only feed his ego.