Leaves of Grass
Walt Whitman
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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) (19 hr 16 min)
Chapters
Book 1 | 29:58 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 2 | 33:49 | Read by Hugh McGuire |
Book 3, Part 1 | 30:00 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 3, Part 2 | 43:38 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 3, Part 3 | 46:45 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 3, Part 4 | 37:50 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 4 | 50:23 | Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023) |
Book 5 | 46:16 | Read by Chris Mitchell |
Books 6-7 | 50:46 | Read by Chris Mitchell |
Books 8-10 | 41:11 | Read by Chris Mitchell |
Books 11-12 | 45:23 | Read by Chris Mitchell |
Book 13 | 20:52 | Read by Eric |
Book 14 | 10:34 | Read by Eric |
Book 15 | 24:34 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 16 | 15:16 | Read by Brett Shand |
Book 17 | 31:14 | Read by Hugh McGuire |
Book 18 | 9:57 | Read by Hugh McGuire |
Book 19 | 48:17 | Read by Gord Mackenzie |
Book 20 | 23:45 | Read by Hugh McGuire |
Book 21, Part 1 | 41:27 | Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023) |
Book 21, Part 2 | 46:55 | Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023) |
Book 22 | 15:21 | Read by wedschild |
Book 23 | 35:27 | Read by Annie Coleman Rothenberg |
Book 24, Part 1 | 48:33 | Read by Annie Coleman Rothenberg |
Book 24, Part 2 | 44:20 | Read by Annie Coleman Rothenberg |
Book 25 | 13:06 | Read by Hugh McGuire |
Book 26 | 20:11 | Read by Hugh McGuire |
Books 27-28 | 27:58 | Read by Chip |
Books 29-30 | 40:19 | Read by Chip |
Book 31 | 14:49 | Read by Chip |
Book 32 | 50:48 | Read by Chip |
Book 33 | 38:21 | Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015) |
Book 34 | 49:06 | Read by Tom Yates |
Book 35 | 28:49 | Read by Chris Goringe |
Reviews
fantastic
adam
This is a revered classic for a reason. It's beautiful, picturesque, manly, lively, vital, and utterly American. I will revisit this many times. Thank you to all of the readers. Take some time and enjoy this. Oh and it gets racy too!
Chapters missing?
Elaine Milewsky
I've downloaded these files twice, and both times, the first four chapters haven't been included.Unless my Audiobook Player isn't working right. It starts at Book 3, Part 3.
This book must be heard.
J arch
This series of poems reminds us about the beauty of the world and the courage to be human.
A classic rendition of a classic.
Pasquale
Great poetry perfectly delivered.