Leaves of Grass

1855 Edition

By: Walt Whitman

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1855, Walt Whitman published, at his own expense, the first edition of Leaves of Grass, a visionary volume of 12 poems. Showing the influence of a uniquely American form of mysticism known as Transcendentalism, the writing is distinguished by an explosively innovative free-verse style and previously unmentionable subject matter.

Exalting nature, celebrating the human body, and praising the senses and sexual love, this monumental work, now a classic of American poetry, was condemned as immoral upon publication.

Included in this edition are some of the greatest poems of modern times, works that continue to upset conventional notions of beauty and originality even today.

Public Domain (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

WHITMAN'S MASTERWORK

“Leaves of Grass” is perfectly rendered by Edoardo Ballerini. Walt Whitman’s masterpiece shines in Ballerini’s narration. Whitman lived in one of America’s most tumultuous times. He lived through the civil war and assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Despite the horrors of that time, Whitman celebrated life. Today is a good time to listen to Whitman’s masterwork.

A gorgeous National Anthem!

Wonderful experience hearing it in one sitting. Truly brings home Whitman’s love for this Country, emphasizing his feeling for E Pluribus Unum.

Stellar narration of spirited poems

The poems themselves are very repetitive and are not to be put under scrutiny in terms of content. They are filled with wide-eyed wonder that disregards constructive analysis and criticism. However, I enjoyed listening to them as I would enjoy listening to a spirited sermon intended to foster faith and hope, or an eloquent politician's speech after they've just won an election. Did I agree with everything said? No, not at all. I couldn't even keep my focus, often drifting off in my own land of dreams. But the spirit of celebration and the tone of unquenchable hope are both infectious, and infectious joy is what I welcome on dreary and grey winter days like this one. And the poems are truly brought to life by Edoardo Ballerini. His narration is well articulated, nicely paced, and dignified, yet full of emotion.

No Less than the journeys work of the stars.

This is a very well presented timeless work of artistic beauty. Could only be self published when completed because of the free verse and free thought and would be no less difficult to publish today for the same reasons. It is now an accepted masterpiece but will be difficult still for much of society to grasp or appreciate. The poetic spirit at its best.

password “primaeval”

I first read Walt Whitman nearly fifty years ago; his optimism has fueled mine ever since.
Now, I hear Edoardo Ballerini nearly sing the poet’s verse. Glorious!
I shall listen again and again.

Whitman

Excellent narration. Amazed with the content and observations in 1855. Whitman was a historian and visionary.

Magnificent

The entire collection holds such wealth of beauty, wisdom, and insight. To have been written so long ago, the power of these words has not dwindled. While there are a few lulls in the reverie, the preface and Song of Myself are alone tantamount contributions to poetry. First, the best summation of what Poetry's purpose is and what it is supposed to be, and then the finest example of a poem you could ever imagine. Whitman was an original.

Beautiful, But Trite

Beautiful, powerful words so very worth reading! Unfortunately, it’s hard not struggle with some of the archaic views on gender roles, even accounting for the time in which this was written.

Fluid and Full of Life

Splendid delivery from the narrator to make the poetry of Whitman breathe into life. It’s eloquent and yet easy to absorb. Once I fall into the narrators flow, I had some fantastic imprints and insights from the visuals that Whitman’s writing transcends.

I did not enjoy

But adore and admire and worship thee, Whitman

My study of you will never complete! No question of that
What a master performance by the narrator!