The collection of essays Proofs and Theories, awarded the 1993 PEN/Martha Albrand Award for a first non-fiction work, is an enlightening collection of texts by Louise Glück. Glück's prose possesses the same precise language, the same insight and intuition that distinguish her poetry. The power of her thought is evident in these essays, from how she explores the work of other poets to how she skeptically reflects on concepts of literary criticism, such as "sincerity" and "courage." Here are also Glück's revealing thoughts on her personal education and life as a poet, as well as a tribute to her teacher and mentor Stanley Kunitz. The book Proofs and Theories is the testament of a leading poet.