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   from the issue of January 17, 2008

     
 
New book celebrates Whitman's masterpiece

 BY SARA GILLIAM, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

University of Nebraska Press has released a comprehensive volume of scholarship on Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its original publication.

"Leaves of Grass: The Sesquicentennial Essays," features 20 scholarly essays representing a variety of critical perspectives. They are introduced and edited by UNL English professors Susan Belasco and Kenneth Price. Ed Folsom, professor of English at the University of Iowa, is co-editor.

When released in 1855, Whitman's book created a new and distinctively American style of poetry, Belasco, Folsom and Price wrote in the book's introduction. "The daring and grandeur of Whitman's revolutionary book have provoked some extraordinary reactions over the past century and a half," they wrote.

This latest collection of essays grew out of a celebration at UNL in 2005. More than 150 scholars, musicians, poets and enthusiasts gathered in Lincoln to honor Whitman and his work.

"The daunting challenge that the participants in 'Leaves of Grass: The 150th Anniversary conference' faced - the challenge for anyone writing about Whitman's breakthrough book - was to suitably speak to that level of achievement. The resultant essays gathered in this volume find a way to meet that challenge," wrote the editors.

Essays included in the new volume trace Whitman's poetry, personal biography, and politics, race and ethnic issues in 19th century America.

The book is available now from University of Nebraska Press, www.nebraskapress.unl.edu.



GO TO: ISSUE OF JANUARY 17

ARTS HEADLINES FOR JANUARY 17

'Unknown Blakelock' offers grand vision
American Life in Poetry
Comedian performs Jan. 22
Dylan film opens Jan. 18 at the Ross
Great Plains Art Museum features 'Expressions of Prairie Grasses'
Lord at Club/Carson Jan. 25
New book celebrates Whitman's masterpiece
UNL singers, orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall
White to lead Jan. 23 concert for elementary students

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