130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Walt Whitman

A glorious collection from one of America’s best-loved and controversial poets
By Walt Whitman
Series: The Great Poets
0.0 (0 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
From the highly controversial Leaves of Grass, with its overt sexual imagery and delight in sensual pleasures, to the iconic poem Captain, oh my captain immortalised in the film Dead Poets Society, this short collection offers an ideal introduction to the poetry of Walt Whitman. Widely considered the father of free verse, Whitman was celebrated both during his lifetime and beyond. His work reflects his experiences during the American Civil War, where he cared for the wounded, and his legacy was honoured with a public funeral in 1892. As modernist poet Ezra Pound famously said, Whitman "is America".
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

An essential read for lovers of poetry, students of American literature, and anyone interested in 19th-century cultural history.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The perfect introduction to one of the most influential American poets - includes the controversial 'Leaves of Grass'

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the highly controversial Leaves of Grass, with its overt sexual imagery and delight of sensual pleasures, to the iconic Captain, oh my captain immortalised in the film Dead Poets Society, this short collection is the ideal introduction to the poetry of Walt Whitman.

One of the greats, he was celebrated both during his lifetime and ever since - he is widely considered to be the father of free verse. During the American Civil War, he worked in hospitals caring for the wounded, and his own funeral in 1892 was a public event.

In the words of the modernist poet Ezra Pound, Walt Whitman was 'America's poet . . . he is America'.

Series: The Great Poets

View all
  • Samuel Taylor Coleridge
    One of the highly praised Lakeland poets, alongside his friend William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a founder of the Romantic movement in England. His work—still popular today—includes such classics as The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan, as well as the beautiful early poem Frost at Midnight: 'Or if the secret ministry of frost, Shall hang them...
    By Samuel Taylor Coleridge
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Walt Whitman
    From the highly controversial Leaves of Grass, with its overt sexual imagery and delight of sensual pleasures, to the iconic Captain, oh my captain immortalised in the film Dead Poets Society, this short collection is the ideal introduction to the poetry of Walt Whitman. One of the greats, he was celebrated both during his lifetime and ever since - he...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Elizabeth Barrett Browning
    'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways' Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a poet of passion, wit and conscience. She was also a woman who wrote to speak the truth about everything she knew - and she knew just what it was like to be a thinking woman in a society that wanted women to be weak. The...
    By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Rupert Brooke & Wilfred Owen
    Rupert Brooke & Wilfred Owen
    If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. From The Soldier to Anthem for Doomed Youth, Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen are two of the best-loved poets from the heroic lost generation of the First World War. Brooke's work was well-known before the war, with the...
    By Wilfred Owen and Rupert Brooke
    Paperback
    $5100
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Emily Dickinson
    Emily Dickinson
    American poet Emily Dickinson is revered around the world and influenced many feminist artists and writers. Her work is some of the best known and most quoted or adapted: 'Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all' - Emily Dickinson Dickinson received a very good...
    By Emily Dickinson
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • W. B. Yeats
    Tread softly because you tread on my dreams is one of the most well-known and repeated lines of poetry ever written. Less haunting, but still so relevant: Life is a long preparation for something that never happens. W. B. Yeats was one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. Winner of a Nobel prize, he was also a political...
    By W.B. Yeats
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Jane Austen
    Another world must be unfurled, Another language known Best known – and beloved – for her highly popular novels including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen was also an accomplished, and often witty, poet: I am going to have my dinner, after which I shan't be thinner This collection, which also includes poems by the poets...
    By n/a Jane Austen
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • William Blake
    William Blake
    ‘To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour’ - William Blake William Blake was a poet and artist. Born in Soho in the eighteenth century, the son of a shopkeeper, he is now acclaimed as a radical left-field...
    By William Blake
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
    Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
    The best-loved, bestselling poem ever published - a poem that embraces the theme 'seize the moment' 'One thing is certain, that Life flies; One thing is certain, and the Rest is Lies' The epic, beautiful poem Rubaiyat is widely attributed to Omar Khayyam. As much a philosopher as a poet, he was a Persian astronomer, who praised the beauties of...
    By Omar Khayyam
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Brontes: Selected Poems
    The Brontë sisters' lives and works have become modern-day cultural touchstones. Emily Brontë, best known for her novel Wuthering Heights, began writing poetry first and, before her untimely death, wrote some of the most touching and emotive poems which often reflected the landscape of her Yorkshire home. Charlotte Brontë, whose novel Jane Eyre has had numerous TV and film adaptations,...
    By Charlotte Brontë and Emily Brontë and Anne Bronte
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Robert Burns
    Robert Burns
    Oh would some power the gift give us, to see ourselves as others see us! Robert Burns Robert Burns, poet and lyricist, also known as Rabbie Burns, is widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland. Much of his work has become part of everyday modern language: The best laid schemes o' mice and men... To see her is to...
    By Robert Burns
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Alfred, Lord Tennyson
    Alfred, Lord Tennyson
    Tennyson was one of the true great Victorian poets—much of his work is known throughout the world: 'Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die' 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all' His genius is expressed through the precision and delicacy of the language of his lyrical poems. Some of...
    By Lord Alfred Tennyson
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781399614139

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 September 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 122g

Pages: 128

Collections

Arts & Culture Best Sellers at Book Hero Classic Poetry In Stock Arts & Culture Books In Stock Books Non-Fiction Poetry Series: The Great Poets Walt Whitman

About the Author

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was born on Long Island and had a variety of occupations, including journalism, printing and teaching, before publishing Leaves Of Grass in 1855, which was highly praised by Waldo Emerson. He helped nurse the wounded in the American Civil War, and was recognised as a major poet before his death.

Also by Walt Whitman

View all
  • The Complete Poems
    In 1855, Walt Whitman published Leaves of Grass, the work which defined him as one of America's most influential voices, and which he added to throughout his life. A collection of astonishing originality and intensity, it spoke of politics, sexual emancipation and what it meant to be an American. From the joyful Song of Myself and I Sing the Body...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    $3400
    Elsewhere:
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Leaves of Grass
    A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...
    By Walt Whitman
    Hardback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Leaves of Grass
    A deluxe edition of Whitman's crowning achievement, with an introductory essay by Harold Bloom. I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. When Walt Whitman self-published his Leaves of Grass in July 1855, he altered the course of literary history. One of the greatest...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    $5100
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Leaves of Grass
    HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics. I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey work of the stars… First published in 1855, and edited, revised and expanded over thirty years, Leaves of Grass has become one of the most celebrated poetry collections in the history of American literature. A master...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Leaves of Grass
    "I am large, I contain multitudes" A Penguin Classic When Walt Whitman self-published his Leaves of Grass in July 1855, he altered the course of literary history. One of the greatest masterpieces of American literature, it redefined the rules of poetry while describing the soul of the American character.Throughout his great career, Whitman continuously revised, expanded, and republished Leaves of...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    $4400
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Leaves of Grass
    Leaves of Grass
    A celebration of democracy, nature, and the human soul, Walt Whitman's poetry returns in a deluxe collector's edition that captures the voice of a nation and the spirit of individuality that continues to inspire the world. First published in 1855, Leaves of Grass redefined poetry and gave America its literary soul. This deluxe hardbound edition presents Whitman's complete and evolving...
    By Walt Whitman
    Hardback
    $3800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Leaves of Grass (Signature Editions)
    Leaves of Grass (Signature Editions)
    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...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Live Oak, with Moss
    Live Oak, with Moss
    As he was turning forty, Walt Whitman wrote twelve poems in a small handmade book he entitled Live Oak, with Moss. The poems were intensely private reflections on his attraction to and affection for other men. They were also Whitman's most adventurous explorations of the theme of same-sex love, composed decades before the word "homosexual" came into use. This revolutionary,...
    By Walt Whitman
    Hardback
    $5000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass
    Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass
    "I celebrate myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease...observing a spear of summer grass." So begins Leaves of Grass, the first great American poem and indeed, to this day, the greatest and most essentially American...
    By Walt Whitman
    Hardback
    $9500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Leaves of Grass
    A timeless collection of hundreds of poems that resonate with the American spirit. Leaves of Grass is a timeless collection of poems and essays penned by the influential nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman. This profound compilation explores topics such as nature, mysticism, mortality, transcendentalism, and democracy. Inspired by personal experiences and observations, Whitman spent almost four decades piecing together the complete...
    By Walt Whitman
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Leaves of Grass
    Leaves of Grass
    'I spring from the pages into your arms' Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman stands as one of the most influential and innovative literary works of the last two hundred years. Widely credited as the originator of free verse in English, Whitman put forward a radical new language of the body, the nation, and same-sex love. After the book's initial...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • Leaves of Grass
    Leaves of Grass
    First published in 1855 and extended by the author over the course of more than three decades, Leaves of Grass embodies Walt Whitman’s lifetime ambition to create a new voice that could capture the spirit and vibrancy of the young American nation, while celebrating at the same time “Nature without check with original energy”. Famously written in free verse and...
    By Walt Whitman
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    By Jane Ussher
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    I’ll Believe in Anything
    From Jacob Tierney, the creator of Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and Accent Aigu, comes I’ll Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Based on Rachel Reid’s blockbuster Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 and immediately took the world by storm. I’ll...
    By Jacob Tierney
    Hardback
    $5499
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    16% off
    New Release
    Shirl's Pick Shirl's Pick
    Home Again
    Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...
    By Jon Toogood
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    20% off
    The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    21% off
    The Iliad
    When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    On Sale
    20% off
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    By Monique Fiso
    Hardback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    A Life in Lyrics
    Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest showmen of the twentieth century. With his unparalleled voice and searing on-stage energy, he was a great pretender, a killer queen and a champion of the world. But behind the glamour lived a musician and lyricist talented beyond measure, and the creative force behind one of the most culturally significant and musically diverse...
    By Freddie Mercury
    Hardback
    $5000
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Birdlands Birdlands
    New Release
    Birdlands
    A rare, intimate journey into the wild islands where Aotearoa's birds live beyond the reach of most human lives. In the most remote outposts of Aotearoa, our islands are populated not with people, but with birds. From the storm-lashed Subantarctic Islands in the deep south to the scattered volcanic islands of Tikapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf in the north, Birdlands offers a...
    By Edin Whitehead
    Hardback
    $4199
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    21% off
    This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    By Layne Staley
    Hardback
    $5800
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Mah Jong Player's Companion
    Since the arrival on the market of Patricia Thompson and Betty Maloney's two previous books, The Game of Mah Jong Illustrated and Improve Your Mah Jong, a wide range of hands from many parts of the world has been sent to them. In this player's companion, the authors have put together a cross-filled reference guide where over 120 hands, illustrated...
    By Patricia Thompson and Betty Maloney
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Split Enz
    New Release
    Split Enz
    'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombie—percussionist, performer and the...
    By Michael Dwyer and Noel Crombie
    Hardback
    $5199
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Artist's Way
    The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative guidebook that has captivated millions, including luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss. With its profound ability to inspire and elevate, this book invites readers to embark on an enriching creative journey, fostering a deeper connection to one's artistic process and sense of purpose. The heart of Cameron's groundbreaking programme...
    By Julia Cameron
    Paperback
    $3700
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Arts & Culture lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all