'Jack Kerouac died in 1969 at the age of forty-seven . . . Most of his friends survived him. Our idea was to seek them out and talk with them about Jack's life and their own lives. The final result, we hoped, would be a big, transcontinental conversation, complete with interruptions, contradictions, old grudges and bright memories, all of them providing a reading of the man himself through the people he chose to populate his work.' In this kaleidoscopic portrait of Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Carolyn Cassady, Gregory ...
Read More
'Jack Kerouac died in 1969 at the age of forty-seven . . . Most of his friends survived him. Our idea was to seek them out and talk with them about Jack's life and their own lives. The final result, we hoped, would be a big, transcontinental conversation, complete with interruptions, contradictions, old grudges and bright memories, all of them providing a reading of the man himself through the people he chose to populate his work.' In this kaleidoscopic portrait of Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Carolyn Cassady, Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder, Gore Vidal and many others talk, argue and reminisce about their times with him. But alongside these luminaries of the Beat generation are the voices of those who knew a different side of Kerouac: the working men, the childhood friends, the bar companions, the lovers. Fascinating, honest and richer than any orthodox biography could be, Jack's Book documents Kerouac's genius in its full, tragic, contradictory glory.
Read Less
Add this copy of Jack's Book: An Oral Biography of Jack Kerouac to cart. $26.71, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2012 by Penguin Publishing Group.
Using descriptive narrative and quotes from people who knew Jack Kerouac, the authors draw a picture of a young man in his times, and what influenced him to become who he became. Neither dry nor full of hearsay, Jack's Book is a pleasure to read.
AnnieLou
Jul 12, 2007
Beautiful Recollections !
This book, appropriately entitled "Jack's Book", is a gem of stories told about the talented Canadian-American writer, who was raised in Lowell, Mass. His biography takes shape as various friends, mentors, acquaintances and lovers relate the parts of his life they were lucky to share ! From a talented athlete who wins an football scholarship to Columbia U., to an acclaimed author of "On the Road", the story of Jack Kerouac is affectionately and honestly told ! Not the least of the stories is told by Alan Ginsberg, his Columbia U. pal, and also John Clellon Holmes, another literary figure of the era. Neal Cassady, the subject of many a story, otherwise known as "Cody", also comes alive in these pages ! You will enjoy this book, in its honesty and in its affection for the talented young man from Lowell, Mass. !!!
