Walt Whitman: A Life

Winner of the National Book Award

“Whitman emerges from this biography alive and kicking—hugely human, enormously attractive.” —Newsweek

A moving, penetrating, sharply focused portrait of America’s greatest poet—his genius, his passions, his androgynous sensibility—an exuberant life entwined with the turbulent history of mid-nineteenth century America.

In vivid detail, Justin Kaplan, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, examines the mysterious selves of this enigmatic man whose bold voice of joy and sexual liberation embraced a growing nation. . . and exposes the quintessential Whitman, that perfect poet whose astonishing verse made “words sing, dance, kiss, copulate” for an entire world to hear.

Whitman's genius, passions, poetry, and androgynous sensibility entwined to create an exuberant life amid the turbulent American mid-nineteenth century. In vivid detail, Kaplan examines the mysterious selves of the enigmatic man who celebrated the freedom and dignity of the individual and sang the praises of democracy and the brotherhood of man.

“Not only readable, but dramatic.” - New York Times Book Review

“A buoyant, energizing book.” - Nation

“Brilliant.” - Publishers Weekly

“Kaplan gives us flesh and blood Whitman in this fine and sensitive biography.” - Boston Globe

“Whitman emerges from this biography live and kicking—hugely human, enormously attractive.” - Newsweek