**The New Walt Whitman Handbook by Gay Wilson Allen ? Ex-Library Edition** ISBN: 0814705561 This copy of *The New Walt Whitman Handbook* is a solid find for any literary enthusiast or scholar. Although it?s an ex-library book, the overall condition is quite good. It features the expected library markings and lacks the original dust jacket, but the binding remains tight, and all the pages are clean and white, making it an excellent reading copy. Whether you?re a Whitman scholar or simply interested in delving deeper into the life and works of one of America?s greatest poets, this book will be a treasured addition to your collection. **Keywords/SEO**: Walt Whitman biography, Walt Whitman handbook, literary studies, American poetry, ex-library book, Gay Wilson Allen, clean pages, tight binding, Whitman scholar, no dust jacket, ISBN 0814705561. ### Walt Whitman: A Biographical Sketch Walt Whitman (1819?1892) is widely considered one of the most influential poets in American literature. Born on Long Island, New York, Whitman is best known for his groundbreaking work, *Leaves of Grass*, which he continually revised and expanded throughout his life. His poetry broke away from traditional forms and embraced free verse, a style that mirrors the freedom of thought, individuality, and democracy that Whitman championed. Whitman?s work often celebrated the common man, nature, and the body, embracing themes of love, friendship, and equality in ways that were revolutionary for his time. His vivid, raw language was considered controversial, and many of his works were deemed inappropriate by the standards of 19th-century society. Yet his profound sense of connection with humanity and the universe influenced generations of writers, both in the U.S. and abroad. Interestingly, Whitman worked as a nurse during the Civil War, an experience that deeply influenced his poetry, including the famous ?O Captain! My Captain!,? an elegy for Abraham Lincoln. His writings on the human body and spirit were often interpreted as homoerotic, which has led to significant scholarly interest in Whitman as a gay icon in literature, although he never openly identified as such. Whitman was also ahead of his time in his philosophical musings on democracy and social equality. He believed in the potential of America to evolve into a utopia of personal freedom, where every individual had intrinsic value. Though his radical ideas and style were polarizing, today, Walt Whitman is revered as the "father of free verse" and a symbol of the American literary spirit. **Gay Wilson Allen: The Scholar Behind the Handbook** Gay Wilson Allen was a respected literary scholar and critic, particularly known for his expertise on Walt Whitman. His works, including *The New Walt Whitman Handbook*, provide detailed insights into Whitman's life, philosophy, and writings. Allen was instrumental in solidifying Whitman?s legacy as one of the central figures of American literary history. His deep understanding of Whitman?s work makes this handbook an indispensable resource for students, teachers, and admirers of Whitman?s poetry.