Leaves of Grass
Gelesen von LibriVox Volunteers
Walt Whitman
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
Bewertungen
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.