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23rd out of 66 books
—
5 voters
Walt Whitman's America
In his poetry Walt Whitman set out to encompass all of America and in so doing heal its deepening divisions. This magisterial biography demonstrates the epic scale of his achievement, as well as the dreams and anxieties that impelled it, for it places the poet securely within the political and cultural context of his age.
Combing through the full range of Whitman's writing,...more
Combing through the full range of Whitman's writing,...more
Paperback, 704 pages
Published
March 19th 1996
by Vintage
(first published March 28th 1995)
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I came to this through Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson in which David Reynolds showed himself to be a gifted writer. I was not disappointed in reading this earlier work. While I waited for this copy, I read Worshipping Walt: The Whitman Disciples which, I also recommend, but if you read it, read it after this book, not before it as I did.
Reynolds shows how Whitman was of his culture and why he is an authentic American voice. Whitman gave the new country a new poetry, a poetry that br...more
Reynolds shows how Whitman was of his culture and why he is an authentic American voice. Whitman gave the new country a new poetry, a poetry that br...more
This is one of the best books of its type that I have ever read. The scholarship that went into the writing of this book is just incredible. It is called a cultural biography, and examines Whitman's life experience and the culture in which he lived as influences on his poetry.
Whitman lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. for most of his life, and, by going to Manhattan had access to all of the great cultural trends of his time. His life is examined through his interfacing with politics, sociology, the arts...more
Whitman lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. for most of his life, and, by going to Manhattan had access to all of the great cultural trends of his time. His life is examined through his interfacing with politics, sociology, the arts...more
Reynolds puts forth concise biography that retains a broad scope. He touches on the logistics of Whitman’s life, his family, and the economic, cultural, and societal climate in which Whitman lived. Beyond the logistics, Reynolds delivers a succinct explanation of the various things that inspired Whitman in writing his poetry – from politics, theater, and art, to science, sex, and religion. All of this serves as a good foundation and provides a springboard for delving deeper into the life and tim...more
David S. Reynolds excels in writing cultural biographies. I also enjoyed his biography of John Brown which covered some of the same era. From the early days in Brooklyn to the almost hagiographic vision of Lincoln late in Whitman's life Reynolds captures the growth and changes of the American poet. But he goes beyond the basic life of Whitman by integrating it with the broader culture and ideological movements of the era. The result is great biography and history all buttressed by the ideas that...more
Man, I don't know why I stuck with this big, honkin' book. I love Whitman's poetry and was that more interested in this book after reading "Team of Rivals". This work could have been 1/2 the length. Although it does a fairly good job in presenting aspects of "Whitman's America". Reynolds provides way to much of meaningless trivia that one forgets about he or she is reading a biography.
I also really dislike Reynold's academic ego. He constantly criticizes previous biographies (which would have b...more
I also really dislike Reynold's academic ego. He constantly criticizes previous biographies (which would have b...more
Great book on Mr. Whitman. I am not a poet nor is it may favorite genre, but since he lived during the 1800's, one of my favorite periods, I really got into it. He was an amazing person save the accusation of child molestation. He was a homo-sexual and I assume that during that time, it was a very difficult thing to be. I love biographies and this one did not let me down. Got it from the Library though and do not have it in my personal collection. Plan to buy a used copy though.
Whitman's poetry has never engaged me, but having read Reynolds I will return to it. He creates an intricate picture of Whitman's times and it is this history - of among many things newspapers, publishing, and theater, of Quaker sects, phrenology, and spiritualism, of family life, sexuality, and friendship that really makes this a wonderful (and long) book.
I read this years ago, and it had some disturbing imagery in it and was (to an extent) eye-opening. I am not sure I agree with all of Reynolds' conclusions, but that is to be expected with any biography. Overall, worth the reading if you are a fan of Whitman and a lover of his words.
The best biography of Whitman I've read -- particularly as a portrait of the intellectual and political climate in which Whitman lived and wrote. Somehow this all sets the poems themselves free, rather than ties them down. A real lovely book.
This was an outstanding biography of Whitman and his time. You will learn a great deal about 19th century America from this book and Whitman will come alive as a man of his time and place.
Fascinating. He calls his book a cultural biography of Whitman. Places Whitman's work firmly in the context of nineteenth century American life and culture.
Excellent look at Walt Whitman's cultural and intellectual contexts.
Great bio and interesting look at that period!
eh . . . I want to say rubbish, but that's a little harsh. Could have been a valuable book if I was writing a term paper. I'm sure Walt Whitman was much cooler than this book suggests.
This book does a great job of examining the culture context in which Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass. We find out about the cultural, sexual, political, literary, religious world Whitman lived in. Reynolds does all of this in an easy to like non-academic language that keeps one reading. My only complaint about the book is that sometimes the personal side of Whitman's biography gets less attention than I would like. My solution was to read another bio, Irving's Walt Whitman: Song of Himself.
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.
Whitman's America provides a thorough trip through mind-19th century America, expounding on social, political, and intellectual influences on Walt Whitman. While Reynolds's prose can be somewhat tedious at times, the vast expanse of meticulously researched information he provides more than makes up for the dull bits. Read this and be enriched--just make sure you allot yourself plenty of time.
Sep 10, 2012
Mel Murata
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
criticism-theory-anthology,
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The most perfect, most interesting biography... of course I'm probably grossly overstating how amazing this book is because of my near fanatic feelings about Whitman. Still, Reynolds knows how to paint a picture and succeeds in not only giving the story of Whitman but the story of 19th century America.
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.
I like to read about this period of time. America in the 1850's, New York in one of it's most extreme periods. DH Lawrence said Whitman may have been the greatest of all poets, and I'm not sure about that, but I love his writing, so I enjoy this book about him. This history is fascinating.
What a fascinating life!!!! Poet, publisher, Civil War nurse!!! The times in which he lived especially in New York City was arousing. Such great detail into the human conditions of that time. The book was a huge help in my rereading of Leaves of Grass. Truly Divine.
So far, it is really interesting. Major historical figures wander in and out of the narrative. Whitman is not put on a pedestal at all. This is a work of criticism as well as history. A perfect celebration of the times and how they affected his poetry.
Dense, small type, hard on the eyes - but what a read. Set Walt in context, brought the century to life, and reminded me why the 19th is so crucial to our understanding of who we are as Americans.
Good historical biography of the grandfather of American poetry. A bit of excess (unnecessary) information, though. Otherwise, it would have 5 stars.
Oct 17, 2008
Richard
added it
The greatest book about 19th Century culture ever written??
Definitely the greatest biography of Uncle Walt (as I call him)veer written...
Definitely the greatest biography of Uncle Walt (as I call him)veer written...
Detailed but very readable biography/cultural history of Walt Whitman and his environment. Has inspired me to read Whitman's poetry again.
Wonderful story about mid-1800s in America.
Aug 14, 2008
Dad
marked it as to-read
I'm going to come back soon and pick it up again
wonderfully enlightening.
May 15, 2013
Amanda Fry
marked it as to-read
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David S. Reynolds is a Distinguished Professor of English and American Studies at the City University of New York. His works include the award-winning Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson, Walt Whitman's America, and John Brown, Abolitionist. He lives on Long Island in New York.
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Aug 26, 2011 05:24pm