Chosen by Ginsberg himself from nearly fifty years of experimental, groundbreaki
ng verse, this selection, in his words, 'summarizes what I deem most honest, mos
t penetrant of my writing', and includes lesser known and later works which go b
eyond his iconic 'Beat Generation' image. Presented chronologically, and ranging
from early works such as "Paterson" (1949) to selections from "White Shroud" (1
980-85) and "Cosmopolitan Greetings" (1986-92), and including the classic poems
"Howl" (1955-56) and "Kaddish" (1959-60) as well as songs, recent uncollected po
ems and notes by the author, this volume brings together the most intensely pers
onal verse of a great American poet - incandescent explorations that expand the
consciousness with their breadth of vision and depth of humanity.
