First Thought: Conversations with Allen Ginsberg
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
First Thought: Conversations with Allen Ginsberg
By (Author) Michael Schumacher
University of Minnesota Press
University of Minnesota Press
1st June 2017
United States
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Literary studies: poetry and poets
B
Physical Properties
Paperback
264
Width 140mm, Height 210mm, Spine 38mm
Description
Here through previously uncollected interviews, we encounter Allen Ginsberg elaborating on how speech, as much as writing and reading, and even poetry, is an act of art. Revealing, enlightening, and often just plain entertaining, Allen Ginsberg in conversation is the quintessential twentieth-century American poet as we have never before encountered him: fully present, in pitch-perfect detail.
Reviews
"With a knowledge born out of personal interviews conducted with Allen Ginsberg himself, Michael Schumacher understands more about Ginsbergs poetry than anyone alive. This book presents Ginsbergs own words in a thought-provoking, entertaining, and intelligent way. It is destined to be a perfect companion to any study of Ginsberg, the poet."Bill Morgan, author of The Typewriter is Holy: The Complete, Uncensored History of the Beat Generation
"Michael Schumacher has dug deep and come up with a treasure trove of Ginsbergian thoughton topics ranging from sex and drugs and rock & roll to the genesis of "Howl" and On the Road. We even get a writing how-to via the transcript of a Naropa classroom discussion between Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, and William S. Burroughs. This fascinating compendium is the perfect addition to the Beat canon."Holly George-Warren, author of A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton and editor of The Rolling Stone Book of the Beats
"Schumacher provides an introduction to First Thought that ought to make Ginsberg fans scream with joy."San Francisco Chronicle
"First Thought reacquaints us with a wonderfully authentic person and poet."PopMatters
"The collection is genuinely worthwhile."Rain Taxi
Author Bio
Michael Schumacher is author of the acclaimed biography of Allen Ginsberg, Dharma Lion, and editor of The Essential Ginsberg. His books Torn in Two: The Sinking of the Daniel J. Morrell and One Mans Survival on the Open Sea, Novembers Fury: The Deadly Great Lakes Hurricane of 1913, Mighty Fitz: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and Mr. Basketball: George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers, and the Birth of the NBA are also published by Minnesota.
