The Lost Years of William S. Burroughs: Beats in South Texas (Paperback)

by Rob Johnson (Author)
Key Phrases: illegal laborers, big holders, orgone accumulator, South Texas, Allen Ginsberg, Ted Marak (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
". . . loaded with original and never-before-published information. . . . A very impressive work." -- Tom Pilkington, Tarleton State University

"Highly recommended." -- CHOICE, March 2007

"Johnson's book proves that Burroughs' brief Rio Grande Valley days were exceedingly rich in the kind of anecdotes and characters that flavored his whole life." -- Southwestern American Literature, January 2007

"This book will be snapped up by everybody interested in Burroughs. . . ." -- Don Graham, University of Texas at Austin --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
The sometimes raunchy, often legally dubious New York and Mexican exploits of William S. Burroughs, one of the godfathers of the "Beat" generation, are well known. Less familiar are his experiences in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, where for several years he was a cotton farmer (while avoiding the law in New York). This intriguing chapter in the famous author's life is thoroughly recounted for the first time in Rob Johnson's new book. From 1946 to 1949, Bill Burroughs prepared himself for the writing of his first books by, among other pursuits, raising marijuana and opium poppies and entertaining Beat visitors such as Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassady at his farm in New Waverly, Texas. Less known, though, are stories about his other farm, a "serious" fifty-acre spread, in the Valley near Edinburg, described in the 1977 edition of "Junky". Here, he raised legal crops such as cotton, carrots, and peas. Other Beat writers move casually in and out of the narrative, which includes the "William Tell" episode in Mexico in which Burroughs fatally shot his wife, who had placed a drink glass on her head as a target.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press (May 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585445479
• ISBN-13: 978-1585445479
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #783,018 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Before he was a writer . . ., March 22, 2008

By	Texsox (Rio Grande Valley, TX) - See all my reviews

I always find it interesting to study the life of someone before they were famous. Whether it is a writer, artist, singer, or serial killer. Later, you can see how fame changed their life. I found it fascinating to learn of Burroughs living in South Texas, in many ways the most "un-beat" area of the country, a place that to paraphrase Burroughs, people come to die. However, even without a connection to South Texas, the book is an excellent read. I missed an appointment, sleep, and my favorite tv show to finish the book.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars william burroughs, November 5, 2006

By	Gary Krietsch "creature" (corpus christi, texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Lost Years of William S. Burroughs: Beats in South Texas (Hardcover)

i found it an interesting aspect of burroughs life. a cotten farmer in south texas is 180 degrees out from new york city or london or paris. i have read burroughs extensively. this a lost chapter in his life. kudos to the writer for doing the research.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars South Texas Beats, February 19, 2007

By	M. Rodriguez (Elsa, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book. Very interesting read on a part of South Texas History.