The book Homer: Poet of the Iliad is an excellent resource for those who want to deepen their knowledge of the poem and its form, as well as for those encountering Homer's work for the first time.

Mark Edwards combines the advantages of a general Introduction and a detailed Commentary, making the findings of recent Homeric research accessible to students and readers with a general interest, as well as to classicists and literary scholars.

Since interpreting the epic requires an understanding of ancient oral tradition and its conventions, Edwards offers a comprehensive analysis of the poetics of the Iliad and the Odyssey. He also examines key elements of Homeric society—religion, history, and ethical values—to illuminate the style and substance of the poetry.

In the Second Part of the book, Edwards's scene-by-scene analysis of ten major episodes from the Iliad guides the reader towards a greater understanding of Homer’s craftsmanship and use of conventions.

Mark W. Edwards was a professor of Classics at Stanford University for many years. He has authored numerous articles on Homeric style.