To mark 160 years since its first publication, a new edition of the great American poet's most famous workDo I contradict myself. Very well then I contradict myself. (I am large, I contain multitudes.

)Abundant, ecstatic, generous, courageous—this is the first American epic poem, a celebration of selfhood and a catalogue of 19th-century American life of all ages and races. Revolutionary in style and controversial in content when it was first published in 1855, Whitman's masterwork has since inspired generations with its intoxicating rhythms and images, and its inclusive, praiseful joy.

Why You Should Read?

• Offers a revolutionary perspective on selfhood through poetic form.
• Provides a unique lens into 19th-century American life, capturing the diversity of the era.
• Inspires with its ecstatic and generous celebration of life.
• Demonstrates the power of inclusive language and themes of unity.

About the Author

Walt Whitman is one of America's most influential poets, a pivotal figure in the development of free verse. His groundbreaking work, "Song of Myself," revolutionized poetic form and subject matter. Whitman's writing celebrated democracy, individualism, and the vitality of American life in the 19th century. He continues to inspire readers with his inclusive vision and passionate embrace of the self and the world.