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The Beat Generation
Book by Russell, Jamie
- GenresNonfiction
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
About the author
Jamie Russell
27 books18 followersWhen Jamie was five, he saw a Space Invaders arcade machine in a greasy fish and chip shop at the seaside. It blew his mind and started a lifelong love of videogames.
After graduating from London University, Jamie became a film critic for the BBC and a contributing editor for Total Film magazine. He was sent to special movie screenings and fed free sandwiches. He thought it was the best job ever.
But he was wrong…
A little later, he wrote for videogame magazine EDGE and realised that you could actually get paid for shooting aliens in the face with shotguns.
Since then he has worked as a screenwriter, speechwriter and as a narrative consultant for a big US tech company that swore him to secrecy. He has written several non-fiction books for grown ups on everything from videogames to zombies.
His fiction debut is the SKYWAKE trilogy for readers 9+ launching in March 2021. It's a story about videogames, aliens and what it takes to be a leader.
After graduating from London University, Jamie became a film critic for the BBC and a contributing editor for Total Film magazine. He was sent to special movie screenings and fed free sandwiches. He thought it was the best job ever.
But he was wrong…
A little later, he wrote for videogame magazine EDGE and realised that you could actually get paid for shooting aliens in the face with shotguns.
Since then he has worked as a screenwriter, speechwriter and as a narrative consultant for a big US tech company that swore him to secrecy. He has written several non-fiction books for grown ups on everything from videogames to zombies.
His fiction debut is the SKYWAKE trilogy for readers 9+ launching in March 2021. It's a story about videogames, aliens and what it takes to be a leader.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 26, 2025
lacks the soul of the beats. certain (for me) essential details are missing that deliver the spark of the beats; that is, how allen fell in love just by peters picture, etc., many things missing. made me realize that I haven't picked up a ginsberg in a while and its time.
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January 22, 2012Offers concise introductions to Kerouac, Ginsberg and Burroughs, summarising what they're best known for and detailing an extensive – if not entirely comprehensive – bibliography for each writer.
Exactly what you'd expect from a 'pocket book'; my only qualm was the oodles of personal bias (assigning ratings to works and tarnishing reputations with conjecture. That, I could've done without.
Exactly what you'd expect from a 'pocket book'; my only qualm was the oodles of personal bias (assigning ratings to works and tarnishing reputations with conjecture. That, I could've done without.
October 17, 2012
Contains information you could get from Wikipedia. Strictly by the numbers. Just OK.
August 3, 2020
Asiallinen perusteos Beat-sukupolven synnystä ja sen keskeisistä tekijöistä.
February 1, 2022
I wish it had more to offer.
June 26, 2022
A very good introduction to the Beats. Respect for the author. Well done.
That being said:
1. Burroughs should have faced life in prison for murdering his wife. There are too many hipster weirdos out there that need a pervert daddy to tell them that being evil is O.K. see: Bukowski. see: the Velvet underground.
2. Ginsberg should have stayed in the mental ward. Crap poetry. Crap person.
3. Kerouac needed to sober up for a moment and stop crushing on schizophrenic and opportunistic narcissists. Looking at you Neal Cassady and you Gary Synder.
Quick quiz:
How is "Buddhism" perverted and redefined into the good olde German hedonism for the mirror-worshiping naturmenschen narcissist? (see above for the answer)
That being said:
1. Burroughs should have faced life in prison for murdering his wife. There are too many hipster weirdos out there that need a pervert daddy to tell them that being evil is O.K. see: Bukowski. see: the Velvet underground.
2. Ginsberg should have stayed in the mental ward. Crap poetry. Crap person.
3. Kerouac needed to sober up for a moment and stop crushing on schizophrenic and opportunistic narcissists. Looking at you Neal Cassady and you Gary Synder.
Quick quiz:
How is "Buddhism" perverted and redefined into the good olde German hedonism for the mirror-worshiping naturmenschen narcissist? (see above for the answer)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews