Since his death, the legend of Jack Kerouac, 'King of the Beats', has contined to grow, but has often obscured the real story of a fascinating life. Tom Clark's biography now reveals the essential Kerouac. All the elements of his life are here: the drugs and drink, the soul searching, the writings, and the characters that came into his life, as well as a complete record of the travels which were the basis of works like On the Road and Visions of Cody.