Theoretical rigour and emphatic assurance Discerning analysis
Andrew Radford Journal of American Studies Gunter Leypoldt's impressive new book represents a sophisticated theoretical attempt to historicize the transnational by showing how Whitman conceived of his cultural authority as involving a deliberate attempt to create parallels and analogies among different aspects of U.S. culture. By contrasting this synthetic version of romantic ... Read morenationalism with more heterogeneous versions of nineteenth-century aesthetics, including a fascinating chapter on Whitman's own involvement with the language of classical music, Lepoldt extends both the chronological and philosophical boundaries of critical discussions about the transnational turn.
Paul Giles, Professor of American Literature, University of Oxford This impressive study in cultural politics clarifies two puzzles: why did Whitman believe that there was a tight connection between free citizens and the "lawless music" of free verse? and why has anyone else ever believed it? With real erudition, Leypoldt spans a history from the Enlightenment to Modernism, while maintaining his focus on Whitman. Rich resources from British, German, French, and American intellectual history are marshaled by a strong sociological thesis.
Jonathan Arac, Mellon Professor of English, University of Pittsburgh. ... a thoroughly engaging, intelligent, eloquent book.
Daniel Goske ZAA - Zeitschrift fuer Anglistik und Amerikanistik Impeccably edited, amply annotated and indexed, this book provides rich food for thought.
Daniel Goske ZAA - Zeitschrift fuer Anglistik und Amerikanistik Theoretical rigour and emphatic assurance Discerning analysis Gunter Leypoldt's impressive new book represents a sophisticated theoretical attempt to historicize the transnational by showing how Whitman conceived of his cultural authority as involving a deliberate attempt to create parallels and analogies among different aspects of U.S. culture. By contrasting this synthetic version of romantic nationalism with more heterogeneous versions of nineteenth-century aesthetics, including a fascinating chapter on Whitman's own involvement with the language of classical music, Lepoldt extends both the chronological and philosophical boundaries of critical discussions about the transnational turn. This impressive study in cultural politics clarifies two puzzles: why did Whitman believe that there was a tight connection between free citizens and the "lawless music" of free verse? and why has anyone else ever believed it? With real erudition, Leypoldt spans a history from the Enlightenment to Modernism, while maintaining his focus on Whitman. Rich resources from British, German, French, and American intellectual history are marshaled by a strong sociological thesis. ... a thoroughly engaging, intelligent, eloquent book. Impeccably edited, amply annotated and indexed, this book provides rich food for thought. Show Less