Explores the counter-cultural movement known as the Beat Generation

• Gives a detailed overview of the movement both in the US and internationally
• Includes chapters on significant women writers such as Diane di Prima, Joanne Kyger and Anne Waldman
• Covers readings from John Clellon Holmes, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Gregory Corso to Herbert Huncke, Neal Cassady, Michael McClure and Gary Snyder
• Focuses on African American writers like LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, Ted Joans and Bob Kaufman

This book pairs close readings with a strong overview of the movement and ranges from Women's Beat Writing to African American Beats to the canonical texts, including 'Howl', On the Road and Naked Lunch. A closing chapter maps post-Beat writing and the ways Beat has morphed into new, even postmodern, forms.