Features a great American poem. This book includes an afterword by Whitman authority David Reynolds, in which he discusses the 1855 edition, in its social and cultural contexts. It also includes an appendix. It is useful for fans of Whitman and lovers of American poetry.

This anniversary edition captures the typeface, design and layout of the original edition supervised by Whitman himself. The Afterword discusses the 1855 edition in its social and cultural contexts: its background, its reception, and its contributions to literary history.