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Book Synopsis

Named one of the Best Books of 2023 by the New Yorker and The New York Times'' Dwight Garner

The first comprehensive biography of this hipster magus . . . [John Szwed] allows different sides of Smith's personality to catch blades of sun. He brings the right mixture of reverence and comic incredulity to his task. Dwight Garner, The New York Times

Grammy Awardwinning music scholar and celebrated biographer John Szwed presents the first biography of Harry Smith, the brilliant eccentric who transformed twentieth century art and culture.

He was an anthropologist, filmmaker, painter, folklorist, mystic, and walking encyclopedia. He taught Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe about the occult, swapped drugs with Timothy Leary, had a front-row seat to a young Thelonious Monk, lived with (and tortured) Allen Ginsberg, was admired by Susan Sontag, and was one of the first artists funded by Guggenheim Foundation. He was always broke

Cosmic Scholar

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 29 Jul 2026.

    A Hardback by John Szwed

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      Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 18/09/2023
      ISBN13: 9780374282240, 978-0374282240
      ISBN10: 0374282242
      Also in:
      Biography: arts and entertainment

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Named one of the Best Books of 2023 by the New Yorker and The New York Times'' Dwight Garner

      The first comprehensive biography of this hipster magus . . . [John Szwed] allows different sides of Smith's personality to catch blades of sun. He brings the right mixture of reverence and comic incredulity to his task. Dwight Garner, The New York Times

      Grammy Awardwinning music scholar and celebrated biographer John Szwed presents the first biography of Harry Smith, the brilliant eccentric who transformed twentieth century art and culture.

      He was an anthropologist, filmmaker, painter, folklorist, mystic, and walking encyclopedia. He taught Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe about the occult, swapped drugs with Timothy Leary, had a front-row seat to a young Thelonious Monk, lived with (and tortured) Allen Ginsberg, was admired by Susan Sontag, and was one of the first artists funded by Guggenheim Foundation. He was always broke

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