A reading list on the Beat poets

For the Independent, Gillian Orr came up with a brief reading list on the Beat poets.

One book on the list:

This is the Beat Generation by James Campbell

A fascinating cultural history of the movement, this thorough account begins with how the term “beat” was originally coined by Herbert Huncke, then goes on to tell the story of how the three main figures – Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs – came together in 1940s New York against a backdrop of ideas, booze and murder, before relaying their respective literary successes, relationships and internal struggles.

Read about another book on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue