Leaves of Grass: The Original 1855 Edition (Dover Thrift Editions) Paperback – February 27, 2007

The 1855 deluxe edition is relatively short compared to the later revised editions and reflects the rare and obscure quality of the original. These poems are full of Whitman's original fire before he made revision after revision. These are not just poems, this is a philosophical treasure full of the simple thoughts from a simple but genius of a man. I adore the raw, honesty in which Whitman published this book of poems.

************************************

“I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness.”

“Stand up for the Crazy and Stupid”

“Resist much, obey little.”

“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.
You must travel it by yourself.
It is not far. It is within reach.
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know.
Perhaps it is everywhere - on water and land.”

Kindle Buyer Beware! If you think you are buying the Library of America edition (which links to this Kindle version on the Amazon page) you are not. This is a completely different version. If you are looking, specifically, for the First Edition (1855) of Leaves of Grass - which is given prominence of place in the Library of America edition -- you will not find it here. As for the rest of the material, it may well be fine but it is NOT the Library of America -- a series renowned for its editorial care. It is, in fact, published by Heritage Illustrated Publishing from materials in the public domain. No essay by Justin Kaplan, no page numbers, and notably ugly typesetting. There are better Kindle general editions of Whitman's poetry for less (Bantam Classics, for instance). Amazon misleads its customers by putting this generic edition on the same page as the scholar-worthy Library version of which it claims to be a reproduction.

In October of 2012 I ordered this book for my father for Christmas. It arrived on time and was promptly wrapped and placed under the tree. On Dec 12th I got a phone call no one is ever prepared for, my father had suddenly passed away from a heart attack. This book sat under the tree until Christmas day as a reminder that he was still with us in some sense. For 3 months after this book sat in my basement unwrapped and untouched. Until, one day I had a small leak and had to move a few boxes and what should fall on my foot but this book still wrapped in the Christmas paper and white bow. I fuddled my mind for a few and decided to bring it up stairs after 3 days of looking at the book in passing I decided to unwrap it. As I flipped through the pages I paused and read the first poem I came across, "A Child Said, What is the Grass". After reading the verses over and over I began to cry, not because I was sad but because I was finally at peace. This book holds so much power,and so much meaning not because of my circumstances but because the writer saw the world in a way that your eyes can not see, but how your soul must.

If you enjoy poetry and wonder, this is the book for you.

Walt Whitman Leaves of Grass poetry collection are loosely connected and each represents a celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This books 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 (particularly the original edition) exalted the body and the material world. Whitman's poetry praises nature and the individual human's role in it. Whitman does not diminish the role of the mind or the spirit; he elevates the human form and mind, deeming both worthy of poetic praise.

With one exception, the poems do not rhyme or follow standard rules for meter and line length. Among the poems in the collection are "Song of Myself", "I Sing the Body Electric", "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking".

On May 15, 1855, Whitman registered the title Leaves of Grass with the clerk of the United States District Court, Southern District of New Jersey, and received its copyright. The first edition was published in Brooklyn at the Fulton Street printing shop on July 4, 1855. Whitman paid for and did much of the typesetting for the first edition himself. The book did not include the author's name, instead offering an engraving by Samuel Hollyer depicting the poet in work clothes and a hat, arms at his side. Early advertisements for the first edition appealed to "lovers of literary curiosities".

The first edition was very small, collecting only twelve unnamed poems in 95 pages. Whitman said he intended the book to be small enough to be carried in a pocket. "That would tend to induce people to take me along with them and read me in the open air: I am nearly always successful with the reader in the open air." Bound in its trademark green cloth cover. The poems of the first edition, which were given titles in later issues, were "Song of Myself," "A Song For Occupations," "To Think of Time," "The Sleepers," "I Sing the Body Electric," "Faces," "Song of the Answerer," "Europe: The 72d and 73d Years of These States," "A Boston Ballad," "There Was a Child Went Forth," "Who Learns My Lesson Complete?", and "Great Are the Myths."

The title Leaves of Grass was a pun. "Grass" was a term given by publishers to works of minor value and "leaves" is another name for the pages on which they were printed.

Originally written at a time of significant urbanization in America, Leaves of Grass responds to the impact urbanization has on the masses.

When the book was first published, Whitman was fired from his job at the Department of the Interior after Secretary of the Interior read it and said he found it offensive. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier was said to have thrown his 1855 edition into the fire. Thomas Wentworth Higginson wrote, "It is no discredit to Walt Whitman that he wrote 'Leaves of Grass,' only that he did not burn it afterwards." Critic Rufus Wilmot Griswold reviewed Leaves of Grass in the November 10, 1855, issue of The Criterion, calling it "a mass of stupid filth" and categorized its author as a filthy free lover. Griswold also suggested, in Latin, that Whitman was guilty of "that horrible sin not to be mentioned among Christians", one of the earliest public accusations of Whitman's homosexuality. Whitman included the full review, including the innuendo, in a later edition of Leaves of Grass.

Emerson urged Whitman to tone down the sexual imagery in 1860.

On March 1, 1882, Boston district attorney demanded the removal of the poems "A Woman Waits for Me" and "To a Common Prostitute", as well as changes to "Song of Myself", "From Pent-Up Aching Rivers", "I Sing the Body Electric", "Spontaneous Me", "Native Moments", "The Dalliance of the Eagles", "By Blue Ontario’s Shore", "Unfolded Out of the Folds", "The Sleepers", and "Faces".

Whitman rejected the censorship, "The list whole & several is rejected by me, & will not be thought of under any circumstances." The poet believed the controversy would increase sales, which proved true. Though banned by retailers went through five editions of 1,000 copies each. Its first printing, sold out in a day.

Absolutely stunning in its beauty and grace. If you ever have a chance to sit in idyllic paradise reading poetry, perhaps near a gentle stream on a beautiful summer day with a wonderful wine and delicious loaf of fresh bread (maybe playing your lute) then this is the book you will want to be reading. You will also enjoy it in the lunchroom during a break at work.

Whitman can also stir passions of desire and patriotism. His poetry paints evocative, sinewy portraits easily visualized. The magic of precise, measured language.

If you are not a poetry reader and are looking at this book because it was a pivotal plot point in the series "Breaking Bad," then welcome and behold! There is a reason the creators of the show chose this book (other than the author's initials are W.W.). It is a profound masterpiece of American literature, yet simple to read, and should be enjoyed by everyone who has a taste for great beauty in language and style.