Scan barcode
thehappybooker's review against another edition
3.0
Whitman should have written more journalistic accounts of his travels, observations, and musings. Still, he wrote at a time when people would pay for poetry, so he did make an impact. He encountered some of the most dynamic personalities of a turbulent time, and was eyewitness to the human cost of war. This biography puts him on the scene of some horrific and culture-altering events which would leave most of us incapable of expression, but he had the words to describe them.
mistercrow's review against another edition
4.0
DNF!
Fantastic book and very thorough book on Whitman’s era (the society and times in which he lived in.) but it’s a thick book that’s very precise and therefore just needs a lotta time to go into.
Fantastic book and very thorough book on Whitman’s era (the society and times in which he lived in.) but it’s a thick book that’s very precise and therefore just needs a lotta time to go into.
jackb's review against another edition
4.0
A well written book, informative and (as described) WW's life through cultural influences. Not just a linear date by date.
Always liked WW's poems never knew he was such a bastard. Liar, hypocrite, narcissist, and most likely a nonce.
Always liked WW's poems never knew he was such a bastard. Liar, hypocrite, narcissist, and most likely a nonce.
janesdaughter's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Brilliant, deeply engaging look at the poet and American culture.
jaredpence's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good way to read a biography because many of the early chapters were also explaining artistic and cultural contexts that Whitman was living in. It was disappointing to find out that Whitman is not as as revolutionary as his poetry seems. Turns out he was quite sympathetic to Southern slaveholders and didn't want Black men to have the right to vote. And he ended up being a big supporter of capitalists and bad Presidents of the U.S. I liked that I got a clear sense of the different editions of Leaves of Grass, but Reynold's opinions come through pretty strongly sometimes but are still presented as "objective" like his continually lowering opinion of Leaves of Grass in every edition after the first in 1855.
drbird's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic look at America during Whitman's lifetime. Even people who aren't familiar with Whitman will find this engrossing. There is so much here it's hard to know where to start. But I know that Whitman makes alot more sense now that I've learned about all the science he was reading. Yes. Science.
More...