The Beat Generation : A Beginner's Guide

The engine behind the first modern counterculture, the Beat Generation were a revolutionary group of American writers in the late 50s and early 60s who fused a fresh approach to literature with a bohemian lifestyle.

Immortalized through Kerouac's On the Road and Ginsberg's Howl, their relaxed, gritty and candid writing has inspired generations and established their status as one of the most important movements in the history of American literature.

In this absorbing guide, Gair introduces the work of 'the Beats', assessing the lives which inspired their semi-autobiographical writing, and examining their monumental influence upon modern popular culture.

Providing a clear historical narrative that chronicles the inner workings of the Beat movement, Gair extends far beyond Ginsberg and Kerouac to provide a coherent overview that includes all of the key works.

Also exploring the often-overlooked contribution from women writers, and with brief biographical sketches of all the principal 'Beats', "The Beat Generation: A Beginner's Guide" will captivate any lover of literature or American history.