Binns's intent to create a personal interpretation of Whitman's life from an English perspective, setting the stage for a comprehensive examination of the poet's complexities. The preface outlines his consideration of Whitman's American roots and hints at the various influences—both personal and historical—on Whitman throughout his life. He acknowledges the challenge of accurately capturing Whitman's essence, arguing that a full understanding requires a grasp of the poet's relationship with his time and his country. Near the beginning, Binns expresses gratitude toward those who aided in the creation of this book and gives an overview of the sources he's drawn from, suggesting a thoughtful and well-researched approach to Whitman's life story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)