Customer Reviews

Beat Spirit

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overachiever that I am, I intended to finish all of the exercises in one week and declare myself the greatest beatnik of all time. Too bad, too sad. Greatness cannot be achieved in one week when it comes to this workbook, but a lot of mischief can definitely be accomplished. Every time I sense myself getting caught back up in the normalcy of my life, this book is a great answer to boredom. Open up, and there you have it - an assignment to write a slogan, get naked, revolt, or be in love with yr life. Not a cover to cover read by any means, but an experience for those willing to let their hair down, pull out a black turtleneck, and live a little beat for themselves.

I was a little skeptical, but there I was in my Beat period, snarfing up all the info I could get, and this book seemed like a good bet. Got it, started to read, and more to the point, tried some of the exercises. Within a week I found myself writing more freely, saying more things I'd been wanting to say. I don't necessarily think this book is going to make your life better, or even your writing, but if you take the exercises (some of them; some just seem sort of silly) to heart and really give them a chance, you just might find your mind opening up to what the beat spirit was all about.

Mel Ash offers readers a way to participate and not just be passive as they stare at words about LIFE. A huge variety of activities are in this book; some are a little weird. The author is very knowledgable, enthusiastic, and takes a completely different approach. A fun, worthwhile book for beat afficionados and free spirits alike.

This book will change your life if you allow yourself to be part of it. Work with the exercises, even if you feel a little silly at first. Mel Ash is well aware that the book is only a book, and urges you to live your life, instead of living someone else's life through words on a page. Well worth the time spent on becoming "beat".

Beat Spirit is, as the editors of Amazon described a self-help book with a unique twist. It briefly illustrates the history of the Beat Generation (the generation labelled from about the late 1940s to the late 1960s although many beat writers published into the nineties). The "beatniks" were disenfranchised, disillussioned precursers to the hippies and had their own view of there world. The beats' philospohy was a hodgepodge of anti-trust towards established authority, some middle and far eastern movements such as Zen, and an almost nihilistic (although the famous writers would argue being called nihilistic I bet) thirst for freedom. Especially freedom of expression wanting to use the written language to spread their message.
Mel Ash profiles the most famous Beat Writers such as the "prophets of the movement" Burroughs, Ginsburg, and Kerouc. He provides a brief biographical blurb and then provides exercises for the reader to complete in their "Beat Journal" in an effort for them to have a better understanding of said author. Better yet though Ash does not stop at the big three, but also provides information on some of the lesser known "beats" who while not as famous as the others still contributed much to their subculture.

This book is so close to having five stars because A:) It really is informative in brief sections aimed at getting the reader to write and think about the writing style and background philosophy behind the beat movement. B:) I have read most of THE PORTABLE BEAT READER (not to compare apples and oranges as that is an anthology and this is a self-help manual), but found myself much more in tune to the spirit reading this interactive book.

However as much as this book had it was not perfect it could have had even more biographical blurbs and exercises, but that is a very n itpicky point. So I recommend this book to readers who are interested in "Beat", to writers who wish to open up a new side to their writing, and to people searching for something without knowing precisely what they seek. Wow just about for everyone then teehee.

An amazing account of how to get in touch with the Beatnick within. Do these exercises with a friend, a companion, and you will exit the experience closer than ever. Ash is a true lunatic, and brings to the exercises he proposes a true zest for living life. A must have for anyone wanting to enjoy each day to the fullest extent.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Beat philosophy. It won't give you a sense of the literature but it will provide a comprehensive and highly engaging introduction to the ideas that inspired the movement. The book is organized in sections by author so you'll get a fairly comprehensive understanding of one figure's perspective (and quirks!) before you move on to the next. There are plenty of bibliographical references so when you find someone you really relate to, you can go on to delve into their writing. And you'll be prepared to more fully appreciate what you go on to read because you'll be aware of the author's major ideas. This book is designed to be used in conjunction with the reader's own "Beat Journal" so it will get you writing. It'll introduce you to some useful techniques to get words on the page (even if you have writer's block) and maybe even see your life in a different light while you're at it.

this book will expose to the neophyte that cultural phenomenon that was/is being "beat", for the one who is familiar with the icons, this book will expound upon the basic precepts within major beat writers' works. and for both groups, it will take from the many examples provided, an organized blue-print to encourage the reader a more interesting way to live and regard life. read this one and share it with your friends!!!