Showing results by author "Walt Whitman" in All Categories

A collection of poems written by the revered American poet, essayist, and journalist. Included are selections from this most famous work, Leaves of Grass, as well as Drum Taps and Songs of Parting.

The poems of Leaves of Grass are loosely connected, with each representing Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its discussion of delight in sensual pleasures 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.

One of the great innovators in American letters, Walt Whitman created a daringly new kind of poetry that became a major force in world literature. Leaves of Grass is his masterpiece, written in a pure, uninhibited style, combining sensual and mystical sensibilities. Its bold, joyous voice, its expansive optimism, and its transcendental vision made it uniquely American.

First published in 1855, when Whitman was 37, Leaves of Grass announced a new voice and style in American letters. It attempted to reach out to the common person with an optimistic epic that took the nation as its subject and encouraged readers to connect with nature and unite in a harmonious society where race and class are transcended.

When Walt Whitman self-published "Leaves of Grass" in 1855, he rocked the literary world and forever changed the course of poetry. In subsequent editions, Whitman continued to revise and expand his poems - but none matched the raw power and immediacy of the first edition. This volume presents the 1855 "Leaves of Grass" in its entirety, unchanged, along with Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous letter to Whitman.

A groundbreaking collection of poetry that underwent several additions and alterations throughout Whitman's lifetime, Leaves of Grass is an unapologetic celebration of nature, the body and the interconnectedness of life itself. Including the iconic poems 'Song of Myself', 'I Sing the Body Electric' and 'Song of the Open Road', Whitman's free verse exalts the beauty of the self and the natural world, creating a sweeping, spiritual and uniquely American voice that embraces the human experience for all it's worth.

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of human experience as you explore the themes of identity, nature, and the celebration of life, all inspired by the evocative title. This podcast invites listeners to delve into the beauty of existence through a rotating collection of audiobooks that echo the spirit of Leaves of Grass. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, presenting a diverse array of voices and perspectives that reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that challenge conventional ...

Walt Whitman said, "...poetry is the voice of the nation, expressing its deepest concerns, ambitions and longings," which is certainly true of the great classic poetry of America. This wide-ranging anthology, from the earliest poets of the 16th century to the present day, reflects the changing preoccupations and visions of Americans, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings, and more.

Walt Whitman's celebrated poetry collection, read by Ed Begley.

It is hard to top the pleasure of a woodland walk in Spring unless of course you have a lyric poet as your guide. Now that is possible with Poets of Nature. Let Walt Whitman, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Henry David Thoreau, Emily Bronte, and Ralph Waldo Emerson take you into that realm of Nature "where we seldom wander".

Immerse yourself in the profound reflections and experiences that shape the tapestry of American life, as suggested by the evocative title "Specimen Days." This podcast delves into the multifaceted nature of existence, capturing the essence of humanity through the lens of personal and collective narratives. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores themes of resilience, the impact of war, and the beauty found in everyday moments, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that highlight the rich ...

Immerse yourself in the evocative realms of nature, memory, and the vastness of the sea with "Sea Drift from Leaves of Grass." This podcast delves into the themes of nostalgia and the profound connections between humanity and the natural world, inspired by the beauty and mystery of coastal landscapes. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that captures the essence of exploration, reflection, and the interplay of water and land. As listeners navigate through the lyrical expressions of the sea, they are invited to contemplate the fluidity of life and the timeless wisdom found in the ...

Immerse yourself in the poignant echoes of war and the resilience of the human spirit as suggested by the evocative title. "Drum-Taps" invites listeners to explore a rotating collection of audiobooks that delve into the complexities of conflict, sacrifice, and the unwavering sense of duty that emerges in times of turmoil. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, weaving together a tapestry of voices and experiences that reflect on the realities of battle and the profound impact it has on individuals and society. This is not a single narrative but a series of unique explorations that ...

Journey into the heart of the Western frontier, where themes of identity, prejudice, and vengeance intertwine in a rich tapestry of narrative. This podcast invites listeners to explore the complexities of mixed heritage and the societal challenges faced by those caught between cultures. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that delves into the struggles of individuals navigating a world marred by discrimination and misunderstanding. As stories unfold, listeners will encounter characters who challenge the status quo, confront their demons, and seek justice in a rugged landscape filled...

Immerse yourself in the profound themes of hope and idealism as we explore the essence of transformation and renewal in "Birds of Passage from Leaves of Grass." This podcast invites listeners to reflect on the beauty of the human spirit and the pursuit of a universal ideal that transcends the hardships of earthly life. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, offering a rotating collection of works that resonate with the pioneering spirit and the promise of a brighter future. Through a diverse array of poetic expressions and narratives, we delve into the journey of creation and the ...

LibriVox volunteers bring you 23 recordings of An Old Man's Thought of School by Walt Whitman. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for February 12, 2012.Whitman claimed that after years of competing for "the usual rewards", he determined to become a poet. He first experimented with a variety of popular literary genres which appealed to the cultural tastes of the period. As early as 1850, he began writing what would become Leaves of Grass, a collection of poetry which he would continue editing and revising until his death. (Summary from Wikipedia)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 13 recordings of Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for June 9, 2019. ------ This poem about a battlefield death is taken from Whitman's Leaves Of Grass. ( David Lawrence)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 15 recordings of Long I Thought that Knowledge by Walt Whitman. This was the Weekly Poetry project for June 30, 2019. ------ This poem is taken from Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass"

LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 recordings of Myself And Mine by Walt Whitman. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for October 12, 2025. ------ This Fortnightly Poem is from the collection, Leaves of Grass. The book represents a celebration of Whitman's philosophy of life and humanity in which he praises nature and the individual's role in it. He catalogues the expansiveness of American democracy. Rather than dwell on religious or spiritual themes, he focuses primarily on the body and the material world. With very few exceptions, Whitman's poems do not rhyme or follow conventional rules ...

LibriVox volunteers bring you 13 recordings of Longings for Home by Walt Whitman. This was the Weekly Poetry project for August 26, 2012.Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and – in addition to publishing his poetry – was a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, Franklin Evans (1842). Whitman's major work, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding ...