First published in 1928, The Tower was Yeats's first collection published after receiving the Nobel Prize in 1923, and it is perhaps the major work that most cemented his reputation as one of the foremost literary figures of the twentieth century. The titular poem, 'The Tower', refers to Thoor Ballylee Castle, a Norman tower that Yeats purchased in 1917, and which formed the basis of the original cover design – evoked in the cover of this edition. The collection also includes some of his most inventive and profound work, and develops deep themes regarding life, love and myth. With explanatory notes, this edition seeks to bring the collection to a greater readership and to offer a more profound understanding of the great poet's work.

'His verse is inspired, his poetic persona is magnificent.' (Peter Ackroyd, The Times) 'Together with Joyce, Yeats made modern Irish poetry possible.' (Timothy Webb)

William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist and writer, and is widely considered to be one of the foremost figures of twentieth-century literature. A prolific writer, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. He is perhaps best remembered today for his later works The Tower and Words for Music Perhaps and Other Poems.