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Stephen Vincent Benet is the American Homer, and John Brown's Body is his epic poem. John Brown's Body is a retelling of the American Civil War as an epic poem which embodies the best of the Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid and Paradise Lost.

One of the most widely read poems of our time--a masterful retelling of the American Civil War. Magnificently readable. --New Statesman

One of the most widely read poems of our time--a masterful retelling of the American Civil War. Magnificently readable. --New Statesman

One of the most widely read poems of our time, John Brown's Body is Stephen Vincent Ben t's masterful retelling of the Civil War. A book of great energy and sweep, it swings into view the entire course of that terrible and decisive war, lighting up the lives of soldiers,... Read Full Overview

THE STORY: There are three principal speaking parts, plus a chorus that speaks and sings. Though this is technically an epic poem, it is actually a highly dramatic work with a quality of excitement unrivaled by many plays. The poem begins with John

One of the most widely read poems of our time--a masterful retelling of the American Civil War. Magnificently readable. --New Statesman

'John Brown's Body' is a long poem that tells the story of the American Civil War and illuminates the lives of soldiers, leaders, and civilians. Ben t's best known work is this book-length narrative Civil War poem, John Brown's Body (1928), for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in... Read Full Overview