Delight in the work that forever changed the course of American poetry. At time of publication, Walt Whitman's modern and ecstatic free-verse poems shocked, enraged, and delighted critics for its celebration of physical pleasures and the human body. Throughout his life, Whitman continuously revised and republished Leaves of Grass, but the 1855 original, reproduced in this elegant gift edition, showcases his dramatic entrance into the world of poetry. Featuring art by Wharton Esherick. 176 pages. Gold gilded edges. Hardcover. 4-1/2" wide x 7-1/2" high (11.4 cm wide x 19.1 cm high).