160,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ 

Leaves of Grass

4.11 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 115,128 ratings, 4,219 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
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman is a groundbreaking collection of poetry that celebrates the human spirit, nature, and the American experience. Whitman's verses explore individuality, democracy, and the interconnectedness of all life, using vivid imagery and free verse. The work is often considered a profound meditation on humanity's place in the world and remains a cornerstone of American literature.
Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Leaves of Grass. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

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?

Discover the beauty of human experience and the natural world with this collection of poetry, celebrated for its celebration of individuality and nature. You might enjoy this book if you appreciate thought-provoking verse that challenges societal norms and evokes a deep connection to the human spirit and nature. Dive into a transformative and innovative journey that has inspired generations of readers.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

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

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 work, sharing societal ideals and epiphanies about life that still resonate with readers today.

This sturdy leather-bound edition of the complete Leaves of Grass also includes Whitman’s preface to the original 1855 edition, in which he expounds on his personal philosophy of writing poetry.

Series: Leather-bound Classics

View all
  • The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection
    No home library is complete without the classics! The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection brings together the essential works from Arthur Conan Doyle in an elegant, leather-bound editionβ€”a keepsake to be read and treasured. There is one literary detective who stands above all others, whose powers of deduction are known the world over, whose influence can still be felt in today’s...
    Hardback
    $5300
    Elsewhere:
    $5999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Dylan's Pick
    The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy
    The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy offers an enchanting journey through the timeless wisdom of ancient Chinese philosophers. This anthology includes translations of Sun Tzu's Art of War, Lao-Tzu's Tao Te Ching, the teachings of Confucius, and the writings of Mencius. Each work delivers profound insights into the human condition, the art of leadership, social harmony,...
    By Sun Tzu and Confucius and Mencius and Lao-Tzu
    Leather / fine binding
    $4900
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Hans Christian Andersen's Complete Fairy Tales
    Classic tales of fairies and princesses, ducklings and dancing shoes from the master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. All the best-loved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, including β€œThe Ugly Duckling,” β€œThumbelina,” β€œThe Red Shoes,” β€œThe Princess on the Pea,” and β€œThe Emperor’s New Clothes,” fill the pages of this beautiful leather-bound collector’s edition. Also included is β€œThe Tallow Candle”—one of...
    Leather / fine binding
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales
    No library's complete without the classics! This new, enhanced leather-bound edition collects the legendary fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. They are the stories we've known since we were children. Rapunzel. Hansel and Gretel. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty. But the works originally collected by the Brothers Grimm in the early 1800s are not necessarily the versions we heard before bedtime. They're...
    Leather / fine binding
    $5000
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The U.S. Constitution and Other Writings
    This wide-ranging collection of important documents, speeches, legal rulings, and other writings shaped the United States into what it is today. The U.S. Constitution and Other Writings is a collection of the crucial documents, speeches, and other writings that shaped the United States. In addition to the Constitution, readers can review the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
    Pre-order
    The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
    This handsome leather-bound edition includes all six of Jane Austen’s completed novels. Jane Austen’s stories of clever women, elusive love, and social mores have struck a chord with millions of fans who consider her works compelling, heartwarming, and essential. Adapted time and again for screen and stage, these enduring classics remain as enjoyable as ever, and are the perfect addition...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Elsewhere:
    $5999
    Pre-order
    Out 5 Nov 2026
  • Pre-order
    Classic Tales of Mystery
    This elegant volume features eleven classic whodunits starring master sleuths such as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Father Brown.A superstar lineup of detectivesβ€”including Sherlock Holmes, C. Auguste Dupin, and Hercule Poirotβ€”headlines this elegant leather-bound edition of classic mystery stories. Short stories such as Edgar Allan Poe’s β€œThe Murders in the Rue Morgue” and G. K. Chesterton’s β€œThe Blue Cross” are...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Pre-order
    Out 15 Dec 2026
  • Hans Christian Andersen's Complete Fairy Tales
    Enjoy these classic tales of mermaids, princesses, ducklings, and dancing shoes from master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. All the best-loved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, including β€œThe Little Mermaid,” β€œThe Ugly Duckling,” β€œThumbelina,” β€œThe Red Shoes,” β€œThe Princess on the Pea,” and β€œThe Emperor’s New Clothes,” fill the pages of this beautiful leather-bound collector’s edition. Also included is β€œThe...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Classic Tales of Christmas
    Pre-order
    New Release
    Classic Tales of Christmas
    Celebrate the joy of Christmas with these classic holiday stories and poems. This collection features more than 20 stories and poems celebrating Christmas, including works from esteemed authors such as Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, and Hans Christian Andersen. With favourites such as O. Henry’s β€œThe Gift of the Magi” and L. Frank Baum’s The Life and Adventures of Santa...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Elsewhere:
    $5999
    Pre-order
    Out 3 Dec 2026
  • Charles Dickens Four Novels
    Four of Charles Dickens’s classic novels are collected here in one volume. Oliver Twist. Pip. The ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. The characters of Charles Dickens live on in our imaginations long after we’ve read his renowned works of social commentary and vivid storytelling. Although these novels were written more than a hundred years ago, no home library...
    Hardback
    $7300
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Bulfinch's Mythology
    This wide-ranging collection of legendary tales of myth and romance has fascinated readers for thousands of years. Can't keep all your gods and goddesses straight? Wondering about mythological references in classic literature? Bulfinch’s Mythology offers approachable accounts of ancient legends in a compilation of the works of Thomas Bulfinch, banker and Latinist. This volume includes all three of Bulfinch’s original...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy
    The words of the ancient Chinese sages are as timeless as they are wise. The words of ancient Chinese philosophers have influenced other thinkers across the world for more than 2,000 years and continue to shape our ideas today. The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy includes translations of Sun Tzu's Art of War, Lao-Tzu's Tao Te...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Leaves of Grass is widely acclaimed for its poetic innovation and exploration of themes like individuality, nature, and the human spirit. Critics often celebrate Whitman's use of free verse and his ability to capture the essence of the American experience. The work is considered a landmark in American literature, appreciated for its lyrical beauty and the boldness of its themes.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781684125555

Publisher: Canterbury Classics

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 September 2018

Country: United States

Imprint: Canterbury Classics

Illustration: b-w interior

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Ken Mondschein

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 159.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 919g

Pages: 592

About the Author

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. He was part of the humanist movement, and his work was controversial in its time. His best-known work is Leaves of Grass. Ken Mondschein is a college professor, scholar, fencing master, jouster, and author with expertise in subjects ranging from medieval history to contemporary politics. He was a Fulbright scholar to France, received his PhD in history from Fordham University and is certified as a master of historical fencing by the US Fencing Coaches' Association. His work includes history, fencing, introductions to works of classic literature, and other projects.

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...
    Paperback
    $3400
    Elsewhere:
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    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...
    Paperback
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Paperback
    $4400
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 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...
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $3800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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,...
    Hardback
    $5000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $9500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • 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...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • 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 β€œNature without check with original energy”. Famously written in free verse and...
    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...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    I’ll Believe in Anything
    From Jacob Tierney, the creator ofΒ Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and AccentΒ Aigu, comesΒ I’llΒ 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,Β Heated RivalryΒ premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 andΒ immediatelyΒ took the world by storm.Β I’ll...
    Hardback
    $5499
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Home Again
    Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoirΒ Home Again.This is more than a rock story.Β Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it.Β From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Iliad
    When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017β€”revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)β€”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
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $5000
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $4199
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Hardback
    $7299
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Paperback
    $3700
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Beautiful Chaos
    New Release
    Beautiful Chaos
    Featuring five exclusive new poems, this stunning foil-embossed hardback edition is a collector's item and a gorgeous gift. The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller. Selected poems on motherhood from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'Reading Jess's poems makes me feel like she's somehow reached into my own personal reflections and articulated them in a way I never could.' –...
    Hardback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • 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...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today

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 160,000 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.