The Essential Ginsberg - Softcover

Ginsberg, Allen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062362283 ISBN 13: 9780062362285

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2015

Synopsis

Visionary poet Allen Ginsberg was one of the most influential cultural and literary figures of the 20th century his face and political causes familiar to millions who had never even read his poetry And yet he is a figure that remains little understood especially how a troubled young man became one of the intellectual and artistic giants of the postwar era He never published an autobiography or memoirs believing that his body of work should suffice The Essential Ginsberg attempts a more intimate and rounded portrait of this iconic poet by bringing together for the first time his most memorable poetry but also journals music photographs and letters much of it never before published

About this title

Review:

"A representative sampling from an iconic American poet...A well-chosen selection of [Ginsberg's] writings...testimony to an often outrageous, groundbreaking poet and tireless social activist."--Kirkus Reviews

"When planet earth is dust THE ESSENTIAL GINSBERG will be one of the books to take to Mars to remember us by."---Anne Waldman

"In these memory orchards Allen Ginsberg flashes from the divinely practical to inspired songs and factual revelations...They shine on the future..."--Michael McClure

"An intellectually impeccable selection, distilling Ginsberg as visionary mystic and dark prophet foretelling what people in power didn't want to hear."--Lawrence Ferlinghetti

"The career-arching overview [Ginsberg's work] deserves...What distinguishes this book from other posthumous Ginsberg collections is that it also presents small samples of his songwriting, essays, interviews, letters, journal excerpts, and understated photography...An essential starting point for any reader encountering the artist's still-controversial work for the very first time."--Library Journal (starred review)

From the Back Cover:

Featuring the legendary and groundbreaking poem "Howl," this remarkable volume showcases a selection of Allen Ginsberg's poems, songs, essays, letters, journals, and interviews, and contains sixteen pages of his personal photographs.

One of the Beat Generation's most renowned poets and writers, Allen Ginsberg became internationally famous not only for his published works but also for his actions as a human rights activist who championed the sexual revolution, gay liberation, Buddhism and Eastern religion, and the confrontation of societal norms--all before it became fashionable to do so. He was also the dynamic leader of war protesters, artists, Flower Power hippies, musicians, punks, and political radicals.

The Essential Ginsberg collects a mosaic of material that displays the full range of Ginsberg's mental landscape. His most important poems, songs, essays, letters, journals, and interviews are displayed in chronological order. His poetic masterpieces, "Howl" and "Kaddish," are presented here along with lesser-known and difficult-to-find songs and prose. Personal correspondence with William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac is included, as well as photographs--shot and captioned by Ginsberg himself--of his friends and fellow rogues William Burroughs, Neal Cassady, and others.

Through his essays, journals, interviews, and letters, this definitive volume will inspire readers to delve deeper into a body of work that remains one of the most impressive literary canons in American history.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0062362283
• ISBN 13: 9780062362285
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448