The classic and fascinating story of Jack Kerouac, "King of the Beats" and American literary legend, recorded through the voices of his friends and lovers. Authors Barry Gifford and Lawrence Lee retraced Kerouac's life at home and on the road and talked with the prophets, musicians, poets, socialites, and working people who knew him. Some are famous (Allen Ginsberg, Gore Vidal, William Burroughs); some are not (Jack's boyhood buddies, his lovers, his barroom companions). All have contributed to a remarkably vibrant, ...
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The classic and fascinating story of Jack Kerouac, "King of the Beats" and American literary legend, recorded through the voices of his friends and lovers. Authors Barry Gifford and Lawrence Lee retraced Kerouac's life at home and on the road and talked with the prophets, musicians, poets, socialites, and working people who knew him. Some are famous (Allen Ginsberg, Gore Vidal, William Burroughs); some are not (Jack's boyhood buddies, his lovers, his barroom companions). All have contributed to a remarkably vibrant, riveting portrait of a life. We see Jack at Columbia University and on the scene of Greenwich Village; speeding across the tarmac of America with Neal Cassidy ('Dan Moriarty' in Kerouac's classic novel, On the Road); at home with his possessive mother; in California, drinking wine and talking Buddhism; and finally, in Florida, where his life ends tragically at forty-seven years old. Jack's Book, like Kerouac's novels, makes a unique contribution to our understanding of a man and a generation that shaped the dreams and visions of those who followed.
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Add this copy of Jack's Book: an Oral Biography of Jack Kerouac to cart. $70.62, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Blackstone Audiobooks.
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. !!!
