In part thanks to early friendships with renegades such as Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, and William Burroughs, and his publication of the electrifying and brilliant Howl, Allen Ginsberg occupies a significant and enduring position in American literature. Following Ginsberg's death in 1997, Barry Miles, drawing both on his long friendship with the poet and on Ginsberg's journals and correspondence, thoroughly updated and revised his immensely readable account of one of the 20th century's most extraordinary poets.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In overgenerous detail, this long, tedious biography records the rise to fame and the search for love by the now 63-year-old poet from Paterson, N.J. Son of a teacher-poet and his demented wife, Ginsberg was accustomed from childhood to crazed and eccentric behavior. In his student days he began using drugs to widen his consciousness and systematically explore his mind. Bizarre, mystic, passionate, pacifistic, gay Beatnik activist, Ginsberg always practiced what he preached in the extreme, according to the author. Miles, a British writer, depicts the poet's soulmates and bedmates Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs and Peter Orlovsky, his gurus Chogyam Trungpa and Timothy Leary. Describing his world travels, mantra-chanting, meditation, musical compositions and achievements as a photographer, Miles traces Ginsberg's development into a member of the establishment--"the most famous living poet on earth," the "loudest and most influential voice" among poets of his generation. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"This is a scholarly work and also much fun."
--Guardian
"Will surely be consulted as an Ur-text for decades to come. Read it at the end, along with Ginsberg's fifteen best books, and you'll know why he matters."
--Michael Horowitz, Sunday Times
"Skilfully evokes the poet's childhood, authoritatively expresses his opinions on sundry matters of later life and work, gives him his due as lifeforce of youthful rebellion and in the 1960s counter. Read it; you'll enjoy yourself."
--Paul Berman, New York Times
"Concentrating on the simultaneity of the public and private in Ginsberg's life, Miles gives us a richer insight into his poetic value -- and a better read -- than many a tight-lipped critical filleting."
--Saul Frampton, Time Out --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
--Guardian
"Will surely be consulted as an Ur-text for decades to come. Read it at the end, along with Ginsberg's fifteen best books, and you'll know why he matters."
--Michael Horowitz, Sunday Times
"Skilfully evokes the poet's childhood, authoritatively expresses his opinions on sundry matters of later life and work, gives him his due as lifeforce of youthful rebellion and in the 1960s counter. Read it; you'll enjoy yourself."
--Paul Berman, New York Times
"Concentrating on the simultaneity of the public and private in Ginsberg's life, Miles gives us a richer insight into his poetic value -- and a better read -- than many a tight-lipped critical filleting."
--Saul Frampton, Time Out --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
the only book that you need if...,
By ron sterzinger (MINNEAPOLIS MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Allen Ginsberg: A Biography (Paperback)
this book may not be the best biography on ginsberg but it is the only one i know of that tackles the later years. i have the original hardcover version of this book but i knew nothing of mr. ginsberg's later years. this new edition fills in the blanks. allen's later years were just as interesting as the former. it also shows the depth of character that allen possessed even to the end.he was indeed a 20th century boddhisattva. i miss him.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything you wanted to know about Ginberg and more.,
By
This review is from: Allen Ginsberg: A Biography (Paperback)
This is the ultimate Allen Ginsberg biography. It goes into detail about all aspects of Allen's life from his childhood with emotionally disturbed mother Naomi (for which Kaddish was written) to his death from liver cancer in 1997. All his crazy times with fellow beats (Kerouac, Burroughs, Corso, etc.) are well documented and events which are eluded to in his poetry and journals are brought to light. If you have any interest in Ginsberg this is the book to read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A chronicle of the history of the Beats.,
By
This review is from: Ginsberg: A Biography (Paperback)
Although the writer focuses on Ginsberg, his life chronicles the history of the Beats, how they came to be, and their seminal contribution to the spawning of the radical 60's in America. Must reading for anyone interested in this era and the effect of the Beat movement on American culture and mindset. I especially enjoyed the intimate perspective from which it is written, honing in on Ginsberg's persona in every day settings. It brings Ginsberg and his cronies, Burroughs, Kerouac, Cassady, etc., alive in a profoundly personal way.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
