A review by erine
O Captain, My Captain: Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War by Robert Burleigh
4.0
A dark story of war, slavery, and death shot through with a glowing thread of idealism and service. After recently reading both [b:Live Oak, with Moss|41104117|Live Oak, with Moss|Walt Whitman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535194633l/41104117._SX50_.jpg|64218616] and [b:The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of an Extraordinary Life|39946133|The Life of Frederick Douglass A Graphic Narrative of an Extraordinary Life|David F. Walker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534055503l/39946133._SX50_.jpg|61845377] I feel somewhat steeped in this war-torn time period. Thinking about all of these extraordinary ordinary men - Douglass, Whitman, and Lincoln - is overwhelming. There was so much tragedy, and of course, so much good being done.
This story looks at Whitman's role during the U.S. Civil War. He never picked up a weapon, but offered comfort and humanity to the injured and dying. This is typically a role associated with feminine sensibilities, but here it is celebrated as the compassionate service it was. And truly, Whitman is portrayed as profoundly empathetic toward the soldiers as well as toward Lincoln, whom he never seemed to meet but nonetheless felt a great connection. After Lincoln's assassination, Whitman steps up as the nation's mourner-in-chief. This story inspired me to download [b:Leaves of Grass|27494|Leaves of Grass|Walt Whitman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418012204l/27494._SX50_.jpg|28117], and we'll see if how it goes.
The illustrations have a depth and darkness that manages to convey both the horrors of war (and nineteenth century medicine) as well as the soft empathy of Whitman. They really are beautiful.
Michigan author.
This story looks at Whitman's role during the U.S. Civil War. He never picked up a weapon, but offered comfort and humanity to the injured and dying. This is typically a role associated with feminine sensibilities, but here it is celebrated as the compassionate service it was. And truly, Whitman is portrayed as profoundly empathetic toward the soldiers as well as toward Lincoln, whom he never seemed to meet but nonetheless felt a great connection. After Lincoln's assassination, Whitman steps up as the nation's mourner-in-chief. This story inspired me to download [b:Leaves of Grass|27494|Leaves of Grass|Walt Whitman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418012204l/27494._SX50_.jpg|28117], and we'll see if how it goes.
The illustrations have a depth and darkness that manages to convey both the horrors of war (and nineteenth century medicine) as well as the soft empathy of Whitman. They really are beautiful.
Michigan author.