Walt Whitman’s “I Sing the Body Electric” scandalized the literary world of the 19th century for its uncensored praise of the human body. Now it’s recognized as a masterpiece, not only of literature but of human rights advocacy. Poet Carol Rumens called it, “This best known and most enthralling of Whitman’s poems … a praise-song to physicality that raises questions about the soul.”
The interactive publication of “I Sing the Body Electric” is illustrated with artworks from Whitman’s time as well as interpretive images. Annotations unravel terms obscure to modern readers, while offering interpretations toward a deep and joyful understanding of the poem’s themes and images.
Jean Huets is author of With Walt Whitman, Himself, acclaimed by Whitman scholar Ed Folsom as "a true Whitmanian feast," and by poet Steve Scafidi as "a book of marvels." Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Millions, and Civil War Monitor.
