Philip Levine published 6 poetry collections and 1 other book, beginning with Don't Ask (1981). The best-known is What Work Is (1991).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Philip Levine
Start here
What Work Is
Philip Levine's most-read book.
Poetry in order
Don't Ask (1981)
What Work Is (1991)
The Simple Truth (1994)
The Mercy (1999)
Not This Pig (2011)
The Last Shift (2016)
Other books in order
Detroit Images (1989)
About Philip Levine
Philip Levine was an American poet best known for his poems about working-class Detroit. He taught for more than thirty years in the English department of California State University, Fresno and held teaching positions at other universities as well. He served on the Board of Chancellors of the Academy of American Poets from 2000 to 2006, and was appointed Poet Laureate of the United States for 2011–2012.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Philip Levine FAQ
- How many books has Philip Levine written?
- Philip Levine published 6 poetry collections and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Philip Levine's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with What Work Is.
- What is Philip Levine's last book?
- The Last Shift (2016).
- What is Philip Levine's most famous book?
- What Work Is (1991) is Philip Levine's most widely read book.
Authors like Philip Levine
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.