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Leaves of Grass

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(4,738 Sterne; 42 Bewertungen)

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

Bewertungen

fantastic

(5 Sterne)

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?

(0 Sterne)

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.

(5 Sterne)

This series of poems reminds us about the beauty of the world and the courage to be human.

A classic rendition of a classic.

(5 Sterne)

Great poetry perfectly delivered.