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I just added "The Portable Walt Whitman" to proposed books for this group. Michael Warner was the editor of that book, and not only is he renowned for the superb job he did with respect to that undertaking, he is also extremely well-respected for the preface he wrote to begin that book.
Michael Warner happens to be gay, and in this book he first begins to write, so importantly and in genius fashion, about social theory and what he calls "queer theory." His writing alway shows him to be the spectacular social analyst and literary critic that he is.
He teaches at Yale University as the Seymour H. Knox Professor of English Literature and American Studies.
Among other essential books, commentaries and essays (and I RECOMMEND every word of everything he has EVER written to every person in the world, he has authored "The Trouble with Normal: Sex, Politics, and the Ethics of Queer Life;" "The English Literatures of America, 1500-1800;" "Fear of a Queer Planet: Queer Politics and Social Theory;" "Letters of the Republic;" "Changing Witness: Catholic Bishops and Public Policy, 1917 to 1994;" "Complex Problems, Negotiated Solutions: Tools to Reduce Conflict in Community Development;" and "American Sermons: The Pilgrims to Martin Luther King, Jr."
A truly great writer with a social perspective that protects all humanity. We can all learn so much from him.
