Walt Whitman [Audiobook] [Paperback]

Catherine Reef (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2002 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Catherine Reef's fascinating, in-depth biography explores the life and character of one of America's greatest poets, incorporating highlights from his writings and photographs of the poet and the America he experienced. In "Leaves of Grass," first published in 1855, Whitman's innovative, free poetic style celebrated nineteenth-century America and himself as one of its citizens. His poems captured the spirit of a time when cities grew rapidly, pioneers and railroads crossed the Great Plains, and the Civil War nearly tore the nation apart. This book combines detailed historical information with Whitman's optimism, love for humanity, and pure joy in living.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Even readers already familiar with Walt Whitman (1819-1892) will find much to ponder in this forthright biography. Reef (Henry David Thoreau) traces the poet's life, from his unsettled childhood in New York's Long Island and Brooklyn to his declining years in Camden, N.J., also taking note of the anger and the admiration elicited by his work. The poems themselves are thoughtfully quoted, interpreted and placed in the context of biographical events. Readers may marvel that a knockabout journalist who left school at age 11 could have developed the genius to radically alter the form and content of American poetry. Reef, wisely, offers no answers to that enigma; she simply raises the question and points out that it continues to puzzle scholars. Approximately 70 photographs and engravings enhance this sturdy volume. Ages 9-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9?This vivid, straightforward biography draws heavily on poetry and reminiscences to establish Whitman as the rebel poet whose robust free verse and unorthodox themes offended Victorian sensibilities, but greatly influenced American literature. Reef discusses significant events in her subject's life and traces the publishing history of his masterpiece, Leaves of Grass. Emphasis is placed on the Civil War years, a time when Whitman served as a battlefield nurse and wrote some of his most memorable poems. As his character emerges, readers view a man dominated by a strong democratic spirit and an abiding love for all humanity, characteristics readily discernible in both his poetry and prose. While most biographers circumvent Whitman's homosexuality, Reef addresses the issue openly, though briefly. The flowing text is at times lyrically descriptive. Many of the 70 black-and-white reproductions and photographs document the dramatic changes in Whitman's appearance over the years. The volume is well indexed. This title differs markedly from Nancy Loewen's Walt Whitman (Creative Editions, 1994), which is a combination of poetry, biographical vignettes, and photo-history. An absorbing, honest, and highly informative portrait.?Pat Katka, San Diego Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (November 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618246169
• ISBN-13: 978-0618246168
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,609,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whitman, August 22, 2000

By 

ricardo (Barcelona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walt Whitman (Hardcover)

Ms. Reef is a superb writer who has captured the essence of what Whitman was about. Writing of this quality is not often found.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!, March 29, 2007

By 

K. Fournier "kr!sten" (austin, tx, usa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walt Whitman (Paperback)

This young adult biography of Walt Whitman was wonderful. The nature of young adult biographies allows reasonable depth into a topic without getting too theoretical or complicated. You get some neat facts and a relatively simple timeline. This biography chronicles Walt Whitman's entire life, outlining his relationship with each of his family members, his shaky job history, and his numerous revisions of Leaves of Grass, his poetic masterpiece. Walt Whitman showed the world it was okay to not use meter, rhyme or line breaks in his poems. He also showed his acceptance of all races and classes, abolishing slavery, and homosexuality in his poetry. Walt celebrated his love for all humans, all of humanity, for Abe Lincoln, and for the wounded soliders he nursed in the Civil War. This book is inspiring, and shows how Walt Whitman is an inspiration to all Americans.