Beat Spirit

by Mel Ash

Provides creative experiments and subversive activities inspired by the Beat generation

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 1997

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As others have said this is more of a workbook than a book. It does give a brief history lesson and interesting facts about the Beat culture or should I say counter culture and the men behind it. Like the author suggests I did get a notebook/journal to work along with it and to keep from making a mess in the book from my writing.

I found most of the exercises thought provoking and insightful. I will openly admit that I didn’t do all of them and I think that’s okay, not all of us can or want to stretch ourselves that far or just can’t for various reasons. There were also chapters or people I tended to like more than others but I did push myself to read them all.

At the end of each chapter there’s a list of books and other info if you want to learn more about the person or culture, something I found extremely helpful. Internet links would have also been a bonus but seeing as this was published in 1997 I think it would have been a bit pointless since links change so much.

The author says he’s a Zen Master in Buddhism so it’s no surprise that most of the book has a more Buddhist leaning. While I have studied it a bit and respect it it’s just not my thing and one thing I did learn reading this book that it’s okay. While Buddhism is a big part of the Beat culture it’s not a prerequisite. Many of them tended to have various views on religion and sometimes would combine some to find what works best for them. It’s one of the things I like about the Beat culture is that you don’t have to conform 100% to what a Beatnik stereotype is, it’s about finding your inner self, acceptance and being happy with who you are.

My main problem now is trying to find Beatniks anymore. Even if I wanted to devote myself to that culture I have a sad suspicion that they are a dying breed. Perhaps the world has changed enough they aren’t as needed but somehow I doubt it. I live in a city (Omaha) where you can’t go downtown and throw a rock without hitting a hipster, hippie or one of the other counter-cultures but beats are few and far between. Even online there doesn’t seem to be any forum or groups to join.

I’ve found the Beatnik culture interesting for years and while I had a good understanding of it this book helped fill in the gaps and helped me go on my own journey of understanding Beats. While it doesn’t get too detailed in history or facts it gives enough to get the general idea. Even if you aren’t set out to be a Beatnik this book is helpful in exploring yourself more than you have and a push to step outside your comfort zone.

[Alaska Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic hands-on poetry workbook.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO much fun! It took me a while to get through, and I'll admit I didn't do all the exercises , but just reading through it was enough to get the point to some of the more "risky" suggestions.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While much of the text is a discussion of the lives and work of the Beat writers (and writers and artists influenced by the Beats), the book includes exercises and projects whereby the reader can do such things as explore his or her own cultural background or produce a "cut-up" after the manner of William S. Burroughs.

Acquired Sept 27, 2000
City Lights Book Shop, London, Ontario

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't so much a book as an interactive workbook intending to put you in the very strange, counterculture, anti-conformist mental state of the beat poets. It's a lot of fun and a fair bit of information and if you stick with it, it might just get your crazy creative juices flowing.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look on "how to become a BEAT." It really is more of a workbook on how to live out your life.
Or as Jack would say "love you life out!"

[brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting glimpse into the beat way of life. want step-by-step instructions? this is your book.