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Guide to Manly Health and Training
A giftable, illustrated collection of short quotes and pithy advice on the art of "manly health and training" by quintessential American writer Walt Whitman.
Walt Whitman was the epitome of a 19th-century American gentleman--a poet, journalist, essayist, and the father of free verse--whose legacy lives on to this day. He also had strong opinions about the manly arts of grooming, dress, working out, and health science: in 1858, under a pseudonym, Whitman wrote a nearly 50,000-word journalistic series entitled "Manly Health and Training," which wasn't known to be his work for the past 150 years. In the series, Whitman outlines how to achieve "a perfect body, a perfect blood," and dispenses advice on sports, footwear, bathing, women, alcohol, shaving, food, dancing, mental health, and more. Walt Whitman's Guide to Manly Health and Training excerpts the best of Whitman's treatise on masculinity in an accessible, small, illustrated format, making it the perfect gift for men of all ages."
Walt Whitman was the epitome of a 19th-century American gentleman--a poet, journalist, essayist, and the father of free verse--whose legacy lives on to this day. He also had strong opinions about the manly arts of grooming, dress, working out, and health science: in 1858, under a pseudonym, Whitman wrote a nearly 50,000-word journalistic series entitled "Manly Health and Training," which wasn't known to be his work for the past 150 years. In the series, Whitman outlines how to achieve "a perfect body, a perfect blood," and dispenses advice on sports, footwear, bathing, women, alcohol, shaving, food, dancing, mental health, and more. Walt Whitman's Guide to Manly Health and Training excerpts the best of Whitman's treatise on masculinity in an accessible, small, illustrated format, making it the perfect gift for men of all ages."
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1858
33 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Walt Whitman
1,790 books5,413 followersWalter Whitman Jr. was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature. Whitman incorporated both transcendentalism and realism in his writings and is often called the father of free verse. His work was controversial in his time, particularly his 1855 poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described by some as obscene for its overt sensuality.
Whitman was born in Huntington on Long Island, and lived in Brooklyn as a child and through much of his career. At the age of 11, he left formal schooling to go to work. He worked as a journalist, a teacher, and a government clerk. Whitman's major poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, was financed with his own money and became well known. The work was an attempt to reach out to the common person with an American epic. Whitman continued expanding and revising Leaves of Grass until his death in 1892.
During the American Civil War, he went to Washington, D.C., and worked in hospitals caring for the wounded. His poetry often focused on both loss and healing. On the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whom Whitman greatly admired, he authored two poems, "O Captain! My Captain!" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", and gave a series of lectures on Lincoln. After suffering a stroke towards the end of his life, Whitman moved to Camden, New Jersey, where his health further declined. When he died at the age of 72, his funeral was a public event.
Whitman's influence on poetry remains strong. Art historian Mary Berenson wrote, "You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without Leaves of Grass... He has expressed that civilization, 'up to date,' as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him." Modernist poet Ezra Pound called Whitman "America's poet... He is America."
Whitman was born in Huntington on Long Island, and lived in Brooklyn as a child and through much of his career. At the age of 11, he left formal schooling to go to work. He worked as a journalist, a teacher, and a government clerk. Whitman's major poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, was financed with his own money and became well known. The work was an attempt to reach out to the common person with an American epic. Whitman continued expanding and revising Leaves of Grass until his death in 1892.
During the American Civil War, he went to Washington, D.C., and worked in hospitals caring for the wounded. His poetry often focused on both loss and healing. On the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whom Whitman greatly admired, he authored two poems, "O Captain! My Captain!" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", and gave a series of lectures on Lincoln. After suffering a stroke towards the end of his life, Whitman moved to Camden, New Jersey, where his health further declined. When he died at the age of 72, his funeral was a public event.
Whitman's influence on poetry remains strong. Art historian Mary Berenson wrote, "You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without Leaves of Grass... He has expressed that civilization, 'up to date,' as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him." Modernist poet Ezra Pound called Whitman "America's poet... He is America."
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 23, 2019
Fitnes instruktori, life coachevi, motivacioni govornici, psihoterapeuti, pa i lekari, zguzvajte i bacite diplome daleko i duboko u reku.
Frajer je pre sto godina napisao prirucnik za zivot, jednostavan, precizan, racionalan i iznad svega tacan. U njemu je sve ono na cemu se danas mlate pare.
Vek kako su ga pronasli cita se kao da je juce pisan. Sto nije kompliment ni za koga osim za samog autora koji je gajio iluzije o svetu psihofizicki zdravih ljudi.
Ne postoji bolja knjiga za poklanjanje u nadolazecem mesecu u kom pocinju lazne dijete, kratkotrajna vezbanja i nikakve sustinske promene.
Frajer je pre sto godina napisao prirucnik za zivot, jednostavan, precizan, racionalan i iznad svega tacan. U njemu je sve ono na cemu se danas mlate pare.
Vek kako su ga pronasli cita se kao da je juce pisan. Sto nije kompliment ni za koga osim za samog autora koji je gajio iluzije o svetu psihofizicki zdravih ljudi.
Ne postoji bolja knjiga za poklanjanje u nadolazecem mesecu u kom pocinju lazne dijete, kratkotrajna vezbanja i nikakve sustinske promene.
June 21, 2017
Drink alcohol moderately, avoid the sick, and abstain from sexual adventures. If you follow this regimen and about 30 other points, Mose Velsor (Walt Whitman) believes you can become a manly man! Of course, Walt Whitman was known for long nights downing beers in his favorite New York pub, commendably volunteering in a civil war field hospital, and less commendably picking up and having sex with multiple soldiers he nursed there. So take from these short articles what you will.
What I took from it was that it was written at a time before he was flush with cash from Leaves of Grass and saw a good opportunity to make some easy money. All he needed to do was peddle serialized nonsense about eugenics, cold baths, and indigestion leading to insanity(!) in the newspaper without having to put any of it under his own name. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. For the modern reader however, these essays become very repetitive, very quickly. Let’s not kid ourselves, if this wasn’t written by one of the most iconic poets in American history and instead by a say, Mose Velsor, these essays would have never seen the light of 2017’s day.
This is not to say there aren’t some redeeming qualities here. The impressive usage of the word “manly” in every other sentence is very amusing. Furthermore, the illustrations for the essays are pretty funny. Other than that, if this stuff had stayed buried in some dusty archive and forgotten, I don’t think the world would’ve been any worse off.
Finally, I’ll close with some sage advice from Mose (Walt):
“To one, for instance, who is used to plastering over his beefsteak with a thick coat of pungent sauce of some kind, mustard or the like, a plain broiled steak, seasoned only with a pinch of salt, would relish poorly indeed. Yet the latter is by far the best for health; and there is no sauce like regular and daily exercise, and fresh air.”
What I took from it was that it was written at a time before he was flush with cash from Leaves of Grass and saw a good opportunity to make some easy money. All he needed to do was peddle serialized nonsense about eugenics, cold baths, and indigestion leading to insanity(!) in the newspaper without having to put any of it under his own name. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. For the modern reader however, these essays become very repetitive, very quickly. Let’s not kid ourselves, if this wasn’t written by one of the most iconic poets in American history and instead by a say, Mose Velsor, these essays would have never seen the light of 2017’s day.
This is not to say there aren’t some redeeming qualities here. The impressive usage of the word “manly” in every other sentence is very amusing. Furthermore, the illustrations for the essays are pretty funny. Other than that, if this stuff had stayed buried in some dusty archive and forgotten, I don’t think the world would’ve been any worse off.
Finally, I’ll close with some sage advice from Mose (Walt):
“To one, for instance, who is used to plastering over his beefsteak with a thick coat of pungent sauce of some kind, mustard or the like, a plain broiled steak, seasoned only with a pinch of salt, would relish poorly indeed. Yet the latter is by far the best for health; and there is no sauce like regular and daily exercise, and fresh air.”
January 6, 2018
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
"Walt Whitman was the epitome of a 19th-century American gentleman--a poet, journalist, essayist, and the father of free verse--whose legacy lives on to this day. He also had strong opinions about the manly arts of grooming, dress, working out, and health science: in 1858, under a pseudonym, Whitman wrote a nearly 50,000-word journalistic series entitled "Manly Health and Training," which wasn't known to be his work for the past 150 years. In the series, Whitman outlines how to achieve "a perfect body, a perfect blood," and dispenses advice on sports, footwear, bathing, women, alcohol, shaving, food, dancing, mental health, and more." (From Publisher)
When I first saw this title for grabs on NetGalley, I wasn't quite sure if this was a "humour" book or serious. It appears a bit of both...Whitman's advice on what he thinks a man should be. It was interesting to know that in his time he actually wrote about his opinions on health and training. It is said he wrote this under a pseudonym. I really enjoyed perusing this book - hipster pictures to go along with 19th Century thinking, or is it? This would make a fun gift for the man in your life and if you are interested in Whitman, like I am.
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
"Walt Whitman was the epitome of a 19th-century American gentleman--a poet, journalist, essayist, and the father of free verse--whose legacy lives on to this day. He also had strong opinions about the manly arts of grooming, dress, working out, and health science: in 1858, under a pseudonym, Whitman wrote a nearly 50,000-word journalistic series entitled "Manly Health and Training," which wasn't known to be his work for the past 150 years. In the series, Whitman outlines how to achieve "a perfect body, a perfect blood," and dispenses advice on sports, footwear, bathing, women, alcohol, shaving, food, dancing, mental health, and more." (From Publisher)
When I first saw this title for grabs on NetGalley, I wasn't quite sure if this was a "humour" book or serious. It appears a bit of both...Whitman's advice on what he thinks a man should be. It was interesting to know that in his time he actually wrote about his opinions on health and training. It is said he wrote this under a pseudonym. I really enjoyed perusing this book - hipster pictures to go along with 19th Century thinking, or is it? This would make a fun gift for the man in your life and if you are interested in Whitman, like I am.
August 25, 2017
Many of Walt Whitman's lessons in this book are still relevant in modern times. I thoroughly enjoyed his topics of "training" and the constant pursuit of bettering yourself morally, physically, mentally, etc. to reach your full, well-rounded potential.
September 9, 2019
An entertaining novelty.
March 29, 2019
The book is pretty straightforward; live moderately, eat healthily, have a purpose, avoid prostitutes and (I cannot stress this enough) obsessively exercise.
Very repetitive, feels like reading gay body cult/militaristic pamphlet ( if it was published today, it would probably be called out for fat shaming :))
Also has some wacky advices for example a cure for depression is getting naked and vigorously rubbing yourself with a brush until the skin turns red, then putting the clothes back on and taking a long brisk walk. A man is not a man if he doesn't have a 'procreative power'. Beards should always be cultivated because they are a natural sanitary protection for the throat. Melancholy is the product of bad food and drink choices etc.
Very repetitive, feels like reading gay body cult/militaristic pamphlet ( if it was published today, it would probably be called out for fat shaming :))
Also has some wacky advices for example a cure for depression is getting naked and vigorously rubbing yourself with a brush until the skin turns red, then putting the clothes back on and taking a long brisk walk. A man is not a man if he doesn't have a 'procreative power'. Beards should always be cultivated because they are a natural sanitary protection for the throat. Melancholy is the product of bad food and drink choices etc.
June 20, 2017
I loved the illustrations and the short excerpts that accompanied this book. It's another side to Whitman that broadens his appeal and a historical treasure.
October 29, 2017
I read a lot of books. Generally I choose books which I quite enjoy. But every now and then I come across books which I really cannot put down. This was one of those. I read the whole thing in one sitting, and as it’s full of “air”, I wouldn’t say that’s too hard to do either.
The content is as the title states, though I believe it to be a good read and educational for women as well.
I feel I’ve learnt a lot from reading this, and that this was far from the last time I read it.
The content is as the title states, though I believe it to be a good read and educational for women as well.
I feel I’ve learnt a lot from reading this, and that this was far from the last time I read it.
June 18, 2018
Received this from my lovely wife as a Father's day gift today! Read it immediately! A nice bit of information that's nostalgic and informative. Some of it is outdated (such as the advantages of having a beard and using a 'flesh brush' to cure depression!), but overall there is some good advice here!
June 29, 2021
Walt Whitman wrote a health and fitness column for an obscure newspaper in the 1850s under a pseudonym. He gives advice here on grooming, exercise, diet, beards (men should have a beard he says), and a range of other topics. This decorative little hardback has nice design and illustrations to accompany excerpts from Whitman's column. Whitman's wholesome and lusty voice rings through.
January 5, 2019
I loved this simple guide. I'll be going back to it again and again for basic reminders on living the best life.
August 20, 2021
The big takeaway for me is renewed gratitude that I didn't live in the 19th century.
January 20, 2023
A little outdated in some respects, but it does make some good suggestions.
July 10, 2024
3.7 ✴️
Read
October 31, 2024Ch4
We have reserved humiliating torment for disbelievers.
We have reserved humiliating torment for disbelievers.
Want to read
November 10, 202411/7/24 found it in the Taliesen West nookstore
Read
February 25, 2025So self-help literature is nothing new after all huh
September 18, 2025
The human body’s defining characteristic is the ability to be forged by nature and the elements. With progressive overload, moderate levels of pain can yield a stronger body and mind
March 3, 2017
Quick and powerful read. I read this one while in the hospital waiting for my daughter to be born. Makes for a good refresher on life.
July 31, 2025
A lot of the knowledge is obviously common place nowadays, but the simplicity and antique writing style make it enjoyable. The science behind what he is saying isn’t there, he is mostly just rambling about what personally works for him.
January 26, 2017
An enjoyable look back at some early ideas of Walt Whitman.
October 12, 2023
Rigor and self esteem.
April 18, 2018
Does all the advice hold up? No. Is it fun to read? Yes. Is it cool to see lost Whitman writings? Yes. Does he say some true things? Yes. It’s just fun. You can read the whole book in 30 minutes.
November 16, 2021
Nasihat yang lo juga udah tahu kok
April 29, 2017
Not sure if the editor(s) chose only quips or if the source material is sparse, but I feel like the prolific Whitman probably had more to say on this subject than is present in this book. But then again, it is formatted to be a gift book.
Read
November 13, 2017‘A man must become... a reasoning
And reasonable being - must be willing
To follow a certain course, and find his
Pay for the same, not in ephemeral and
Immediate gratifications, but those at
Some distance’
Love the emphasis on rowing.
And reasonable being - must be willing
To follow a certain course, and find his
Pay for the same, not in ephemeral and
Immediate gratifications, but those at
Some distance’
Love the emphasis on rowing.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews