Dylan Thomas is widely regarded as one of the 20th Century's most influential lyrical poets, his acclaim due in part to the idiosyncratic and surreal introspection which was his hallmark. Here Paul Ferris , biographer of both Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin, and editor of the poet's published letters, introduces a collection of fascinating archive material.

Primarily a poet, Thomas also published scripts and short stories. He publicly performed many of his works and took part in radio broadcasts. The rolling vigour of his voice, with its melodic subtlety and the almost hypnotic power of incantation, brought him almost as much fame as his poems.

The poems read include The Hand that Signed the Paper' , 'After the Funeral' and 'Poem In October' , whilst other material includes an extract from Under Milk Wood, featuring a young Richard Burton, its forerunner Quite Early One Morning , and Return Journey to Swansea , in which Thomas recalls the landscape of his youth.