Description
Book SynopsisThe Beat Generation's best-known poet, in previously uncollected interviews, on reading and writing, poetry and politics
Trade Review"With a knowledge born out of personal interviews conducted with Allen Ginsberg himself, Michael Schumacher understands more about Ginsberg’s poetry than anyone alive. This book presents Ginsberg’s 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 thought—on 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
Table of ContentsContents
Introduction: Ginsberg’s Visions of Ordinary Mind
Michael Schumacher
Portrait of a Beat
Al Aronowitz, 1960
Ginsberg Makes the World Scene
Richard Kostalanetz, 1965
Ginsberg in Washington: Lobbying for Tenderness
Don McNeill, 1966
A Conversation between Ezra Pound and Allen Ginsberg
Michael Reck, 1968
Identity Gossip
Gordon Ball, 1974
A Conversation with Allen Ginsberg
John Tytell, 1974
An Interview with Allen Ginsberg
James McKenzie, 1978
Slice of Reality Life
Stephen M. H. Braitman, 1974
Visions of Ordinary Mind (1948–1955): Discourse, with Questions and Answers, June 9, 1976
Paul Portuges, 1976
Allen Ginsberg Talks about Poetry
Kenneth Koch, 1977
Words and Music, Music, Music
Mitchell Feldman, 1982
William Burroughs, Norman Mailer, Allen Ginsberg: How to Notice What You Notice, How to Write a Bestseller, How to Not Solve a Crime in America
Allen Ginsberg, 1985
Dreams, Reconciliations, and “Spots of Time”: An Interview with Allen Ginsberg
Michael Schumacher, 1986
No More Bagels: An Interview with Allen Ginsberg
Steve Silberman, 1987
Ginsberg Accuses Neo-Conservatives of Political Correctness
Kathleen O’Toole, 1995
A Conversation with Allen Ginsberg
Tom McIntyre, 1995
The Beats and the Boom: A Conversation with Allen Ginsberg
Seth Goddard, 1995
Allen Ginsberg: An Interview
Gary Pacernick, 1997
Chronology
Books by Allen Ginsberg
