A powerful and wide-ranging collection of poetry by Rudyard Kipling, one of the most influential writers in English literature.

Spanning themes of duty, empire, war, faith, and human resilience, this volume brings together many of Kipling’s most celebrated and enduring poems. Best known for his vivid evocations of colonial India and his masterful command of rhythm and narrative verse, Kipling was a pioneering figure in modern short fiction and poetry, and one of the most widely read authors of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His poems are marked by their memorable language, moral clarity, and emotional force, qualities that continue to resonate with readers today.

This collection includes such iconic works as Gunga Din, If—, Recessional, The Gods of the Copybook Headings, The White Man’s Burden, Mesopotamia, The Female of the Species, The Ballad of East and West, Epitaphs of the War, The Way Through the Woods, Mother O’Mine, and many others.

An essential volume for poetry lovers and admirers of Kipling’s work, The Best of Rudyard Kipling offers an excellent introduction to his verse as well as a rewarding collection for long-time readers. Kipling’s other notable works include The Jungle Book, Kim, and The Man Who Would Be King, all of which have secured his lasting place in literary history.