Gay & Lesbian Literary Studies, Gay Men Biographies, U.S. Authors - 20th Century - Literary Biography, U.S. Poets - Literary Biography
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Overview
This seminal biography of a counter-cultural icon is re-issued.
Allen Ginsberg occupies a significant and enduring position in American literature. Following Ginsberg's death in 1997, Barry Miles has drawn on both his long friendship with the poet and on Ginsberg's journals and correspondence to produce an immensely readable account of one of the twentieth century's most extraordinary poets.
This is the definitive biography of one of this century's most flamboyant and influential literary renegades.
Editorials
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. (Sept.)Book Details
Published
June 10, 1989
Publisher
New York : Simon and Schuster, c1989.
Pages
600
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780671507138