Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1891-1892 Edition
Walt Whitman's seminal poetry collection celebrating life, nature, philosophy, and spirituality, now repackaged for Union Square and Co.'s Signature Editions series.

Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent his entire life writing and re-writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death. This resulted in vastly different editions over four decades—the first a small book of twelve poems and the last a compilation of over 400 poems. We are reissuing the complete 1892 text, known as the "deathbed edition," which Whitman personally stated should be used for all future reprintings. 

The poems of Leaves of Grass are loosely connected and each represents Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its 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 first edition) exalted the body and the material world. Influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalist movement, itself an offshoot of Romanticism, Whitman's poetry praises nature and the individual human's role in it. However, much like Emerson, Whitman does not diminish the role of the mind or the spirit; rather, he elevates the human form and the human mind, deeming both worthy of poetic praise. 
1147636004
Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1891-1892 Edition
Walt Whitman's seminal poetry collection celebrating life, nature, philosophy, and spirituality, now repackaged for Union Square and Co.'s Signature Editions series.

Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent his entire life writing and re-writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death. This resulted in vastly different editions over four decades—the first a small book of twelve poems and the last a compilation of over 400 poems. We are reissuing the complete 1892 text, known as the "deathbed edition," which Whitman personally stated should be used for all future reprintings. 

The poems of Leaves of Grass are loosely connected and each represents Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its 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 first edition) exalted the body and the material world. Influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalist movement, itself an offshoot of Romanticism, Whitman's poetry praises nature and the individual human's role in it. However, much like Emerson, Whitman does not diminish the role of the mind or the spirit; rather, he elevates the human form and the human mind, deeming both worthy of poetic praise. 
4.99 Pre Order
Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1891-1892 Edition

Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1891-1892 Edition

by Walt Whitman
Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1891-1892 Edition

Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1891-1892 Edition

by Walt Whitman

eBook

$4.99 
Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on February 3, 2026

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

Walt Whitman's seminal poetry collection celebrating life, nature, philosophy, and spirituality, now repackaged for Union Square and Co.'s Signature Editions series.

Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent his entire life writing and re-writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death. This resulted in vastly different editions over four decades—the first a small book of twelve poems and the last a compilation of over 400 poems. We are reissuing the complete 1892 text, known as the "deathbed edition," which Whitman personally stated should be used for all future reprintings. 

The poems of Leaves of Grass are loosely connected and each represents Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its 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 first edition) exalted the body and the material world. Influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalist movement, itself an offshoot of Romanticism, Whitman's poetry praises nature and the individual human's role in it. However, much like Emerson, Whitman does not diminish the role of the mind or the spirit; rather, he elevates the human form and the human mind, deeming both worthy of poetic praise. 

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781454962465
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Publication date: 02/03/2026
Series: Signature Editions
Sold by: Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format: eBook

About the Author

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was born near Huntington, Long Island, New York. On July 4, 1855, the first edition of Leaves of Grass, the volume of poems that for the next four decades would become his life's work, was placed on sale. Although some critics treated the volume as a joke and others were outraged by its unprecedented mixture of mysticism and earthiness, the book attracted the attention of some of the finest literary intelligences. Whitman's poetry slowly achieved a wide readership in America and in England.
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews