Leaves of Grass

By Whitman, Walt

Book Id: WPLBN0002951986
Format Type:
File Size: 555.03 MB
Reproduction Date: 2006

Title:	Leaves of Grass
Author:	Whitman, Walt
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Poetry, Nature, Poetry
Collections:	Audio Books Collection, Leaves of Grass; by Walt Whitman
Historic Publication Date:	1891
Publisher:	LibriVox Audio Books


Citation APA MLA Chicago Whitman, B. W. (1891). Leaves of Grass. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
American poet Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, is a collection of poems notable for its frank delight in and praise of the senses, during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of Grass exalted the body and the material world. Whitman was inspired to begin Leaves of Grass after reading an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson which expressed a need for a uniquely American poet. When the book was first published, Whitman sent a copy to Emerson, whose praiseful letter of response helped launch the book to success. Whitman’s hero, Abraham Lincoln, read and enjoyed an early version of Leaves of Grass. Despite such high recommendations, Whitman faced charges of obscenity and immorality for his work, but this only led to increased popularity of the book. Whitman continually revised and republished Leaves of Grass throughout his lifetime, notably adding the “Drum-Taps” section after Lincoln’s assassination. The book grew from 12 poems in its first publication, which Whitman paid for and typeset himself, to nearly 400 poems in its final, “Death Bed Edition.” This recording is of the final edition. (Summary adapted from wikipedia.org by Annie Coleman)

Summary
Electronic recorded live performance of a reading

Excerpt
Nature, Poetry