Walt Whitman: A Biography

Meltzer, Milton

ISBN 10: 0761322728 ISBN 13: 9780761322726

Publisher: Twenty First Century Books, 2002

Synopsis

A biography of the nineteenth-century poet, which presents his life in the context of his times, and includes samples of his writing.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 6 & Up--Meltzer follows his well-received biography of Carl Sandburg (21st Century, 1999) with this book about another American icon. Along with the facts of Whitman's life and some discussion of his work, this well-crafted and solidly researched title offers background on the political and social timbre of the tumultuous times in which the man lived. Whitman was more than a poet; he was a player on the stage of American history. He nursed wounded Civil War soldiers, was praised by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oscar Wilde, was a fierce debater, and, while living in Washington, DC, saw President Lincoln almost daily in the street. Many black-and-white photographs, reproductions, and facsimiles of Whitman's work with his notations are included. Mint-green type offsets the chapter headings, and page numbers and wide margins provide ease of reading. The list of further reading includes modern Whitman editions, works about him, and recommended Web sites. Catherine Reef's excellent Walt Whitman (Clarion, 1995) integrates more poetry into his life story. Both titles are examples of the best of the genre; libraries would do well to own a copy of each of them.
Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library District, IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 6-12. An award-winning writer turns his attention to thepolitically astute, fervently original poet Walt Whitman. Meltzerreconstructs Whitman's childhood with a moody, indifferent father anda mother whom he adored, and reprises some of the jobs that Whitmanheld, including his work in journalism, which led to someless-than-honorable ploys (he once ghost-wrote a piece praising thebrilliance of Leaves of Grass). Meltzer also mentions Whitman'sconnection to Lincoln, which inspired the popular "O Captain! MyCaptain!" (which Whitman hated). Integration of Whitman's familiarworks and his personal, sometimes secretive experiences--his shiftingpolitical allegiances and rumors about his sexuality--lends substanceto this solid, well-written biography of a poet who is often said tohave secured his place in literary history with just one work. Thereare no footnotes, but Meltzer has included an extensive list offurther readings, a list of Web sites, and a time line. ((ReviewedApril 1, 2002))Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Twenty First Century Books
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0761322728
• ISBN 13: 9780761322726
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 160