Walt Whitman: the Measure of His Song

“I know of no more convincing proof of Walt Whitman’s impact upon the poetic mind (both at home and abroad) than this collection of tributes by poets―in prose and verse. Its value is aesthetic, critical, and historical, with a fine scholarly and perceptive introduction by Ed Folsom and a chronological bibliography of poems to and about Whitman. If the list is not complete (for all countries), it is nearly so; the most comprehensive in print. This book makes a major contribution to Walt Whitman criticism and scholarship. On second thought, I’ll call it colossal!”―Gay Wilson Allen

“This is a book to browse, to study, to cherish; for, as much as any one book can, it lets the reader know who and what Whitman was and still is―a vital presence.”―Choice, Outstanding Academic Book citation

“Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song measures not only the great shadow that Whitman casts over 20th century poetry but also the usefulness of the kind of small press operation that produced this remarkable collection.”―Jerome Loving, American Literary Scholarship

“The authenticity of Whitman’s vocation accounts for why his admirers have always responded in extraordinary ways to him.... Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song, a remarkable anthology edited by Jim Perlman, Ed Folsom, and Dan Campion, is a record of precisely this.... What is striking is the continuity of love expressed in all this―gushing, reserved, off the wall, begrudging, levelheaded, scholarly, ecstatic, yet love nonetheless.”―Village Voice Literary Supplement

“Sometimes readers open literary anthologies only to find jewels in disarray.... Not so this fine volume from Holy Cow! Press. Out of America’s heartland, the terrain celebrated in Whitman’s ‘Song of the Prairies,’ comes one of the most vital anthologies of recent time. The avowals and expressions in this fascinating anthology record the liberating power for other poets of Whitman’s compassionate vision of a universalized self.”―Christian Science Monitor

“Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song is the most impressive Whitman collection ever made, and there have been many, many of them.”―C. Carroll Hollis

"The selections are varied, strong, and often surprising and offer overwhelming proof of Whitman's triumphant achievement."--Justin Kaplan, Walt Whitman: A Life




I know of no more convincing proof of Walt Whitman’s impact upon the poetic mind (both at home and abroad) than this collection of tributes by poets in prose and verse. Its value is aesthetic, critical, and historical, with a fine scholarly and perceptive introduction by Ed Folsom and a chronological bibliography of poems to and about Whitman. If the list is not complete (for all countries), it is nearly so; the most comprehensive in print. This book makes a major contribution to Walt Whitman criticism and scholarship. On second thought, I’ll call it colossal!” Gay Wilson Allen

This is a book to browse, to study, to cherish; for, as much as any one book can, it lets the reader know who and what Whitman was and still is a vital presence.” Choice, Outstanding Academic Book citation

Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song measures not only the great shadow that Whitman casts over 20th century poetry but also the usefulness of the kind of small press operation that produced this remarkable collection.” Jerome Loving, American Literary Scholarship

The authenticity of Whitman’s vocation accounts for why his admirers have always responded in extraordinary ways to him . Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song, a remarkable anthology edited by Jim Perlman, Ed Folsom, and Dan Campion, is a record of precisely this . What is striking is the continuity of love expressed in all this gushing, reserved, off the wall, begrudging, levelheaded, scholarly, ecstatic, yet love nonetheless.” Village Voice Literary Supplement

Sometimes readers open literary anthologies only to find jewels in disarray . Not so this fine volume from Holy Cow! Press. Out of America’s heartland, the terrain celebrated in Whitman’s Song of the Prairies,’ comes one of the most vital anthologies of recent time. The avowals and expressions in this fascinating anthology record the liberating power for other poets of Whitman’s compassionate vision of a universalized self.” Christian Science Monitor

Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song is the most impressive Whitman collection ever made, and there have been many, many of them.” C. Carroll Hollis

"The selections are varied, strong, and often surprising and offer overwhelming proof of Whitman's triumphant achievement."--Justin Kaplan, Walt Whitman: A Life