u003cbu003e“I am large, I contain multitudes”u003cbru003eu003cbru003eA Penguin Classicu003c/bu003eu003cbru003e u003cbru003e When Walt Whitman self-published his u003ciu003eLeaves of Grassu003c/iu003e 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 u003ciu003eLeaves of Grassu003c/iu003e, but many critics believe that the book that matters most is the 1855 original. Penguin Classics proudly presents that text in its original and complete form, with an introductory essay by the writer and poet Malcolm Cowley.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e “I celebrate myself, and sing myself,u003cbru003e And what I assume you shall assume,u003cbru003e For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFor more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
