Howl on Trial: The Battle for Free Expression

by Bill Morgan (Editor), Nancy J. Peters (Editor)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Howl and Other Poems, with nearly one million copies in print, City Lights presents the story of editing, publishing and defending Allen Ginsberg’s landmark poem within a broader context of obscenity issues and censorship of literary works. This collection begins with an introduction by publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who shares his memories of hearing Howl first read at the 6 Gallery, of his arrest and of the subsequent legal defense of Howl ’s publication. Never-before-published correspondence of Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Kerouac, Gregory Corso, John Hollander, Richard Eberhart and others provides an in-depth commentary on the poem’s ethical intent and its social significance to the author and his contemporaries. A section on the public reaction to the trial includes newspaper reportage, op-ed pieces by Ginsberg and Ferlinghetti and letters to the editor from the public, which provide fascinating background material on the cultural climate of the mid-1950s. A timeline of literary censorship in the United States places this battle for free expression in a historical context. Also included are photographs, transcripts of relevant trial testimony, Judge Clayton Horn’s decision and its ramifications and a long essay by Albert Bendich, the ACLU attorney who defended Howl on constitutional grounds. Editor Bill Morgan discusses more recent challenges to Howl in the late 1980s and how the fight against censorship continues today in new guises.

Genres: History, Poetry, Nonfiction, Banned Books, 20th Century, Politics, Classics

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Bill Morgan is a painter and archival consultant working in New York City. His previous publications include The Works of Allen Ginsberg 1941-1994: A Descriptive Bibliography and Lawrence Ferlinghetti: a Comprehensive Bibliography. He has worked as an archivist for Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, and Timothy Leary.

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is like a scrapbook assembled from letters, newspaper articles, trial transcripts, and a couple of reflective essays. The full text of Howl is also included.

The letters will be interesting only to those obsessed with trivia. The contemporaneous news stories and editorials give a sense of public sentiment regarding censorship circa 1956 — at least in San Francisco.

The trial transcripts offer the most meat. What could be more fun than lawyers discussing poetry? —and their search for meaning in the phrase “who blew and were blown by those human seraphim”. More hilarity: Lawyers cross-examining literature professors on the validity of poetic forms of expression in post-war US — and “America... go fuck yourself with your atom bomb”. Is is okay to say that? Is is necessary, excuse me your Honor, relevant to use that word? Does the word “fuck” have literary merit?

So much literary goodness in the arguments, the comparisons to Joyce etc (previously prosecuted for obscenity) and finally in the decision. This volume also includes a quick overview of US censorship prosecutions and decisions. Literature used to be taken so very seriously, and viewed with palpitations, vapours, and raw fear.

[grn blanestorm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. McIntosh: Q. Do you classify yourself as a liberal?
The Court: Now wait a minute.

trial transcripts are fucking hilarious actually. five stars

[John Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like the poem "Howl", it's a slim book, but has lots of information. Could serve as a jumping off point for more extensive books on censorship, the 50's, and banned or protested literature.

Strangely, reading this book about the trial helped me to understand the poem.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in censorship in America you should read this book.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t quite the read I thought it was going to be, but still pretty good. A very nice souvenir from City Lights Books, where the whole thing started. This books is a nice historical perspective on the “Howl” controversy, plus a nice historical reference re. publishing and free speech in America. The book contains essays on the topic, the entire poem, photos and excerpts of the trials. I thought this was going to be more of a narrative of what lead up to the trial, and the trial itself, but it’s actually better than that, containing actual correspondence, etc. so you draw your own conclusion. I thought it was actually Allen Ginsberg who went to trial, but it was actually City Lights owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti and a store worker who was on trial for selling “obscene” materials. Very thought provoking and a great historical perspective.

[Jeffrey St. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did you know when poetry matters? When the feds try to censor it, naturally. Allen Ginsberg's Howl is not an erotic poem. It's not pornography. It's an all-out assaul, to the rhythms of Walt Whitman and the prayers of the Talmud, on every tender spot in the repressed psyche of 50s Amerika. This riveting book tells the story of the poem, the crazed crack down by the censors, and the courage of one of the nation's great publishers and owner of a small corner bookstore in the heart North Beach--Lawrence Ferlinghetti and City Lights Books. Here's where the 50s end and the 60s began.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, in a country far, far away, you could still ban books of poetry because they were "obscene". Not that long ago, and of course for San Franciscans, literally around the corner at City Lights bookstore. While this is on my San Francisco shelf, I'm not sure I'd call it an SF book per se - more a book about the trial and speech issues that happen to take place in SF. Still, a good read, particularly for anyone interested in poetry, the Beats, or civil liberties/speech issues; and giving a sideways peek into San Francisco's Beat scene in the meantime.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I would have organized the book a tad differently (I prefer things in a chronological order) I found this book to be fascinating. I might not enjoy the poem Howl by Ginsburg, but the trial was precedent setting. As Judge Horn said in his decision " The freedoms of speech and press are inherent in a nation of free people.... These freedoms must be protected if we are to remain free, both individually and as a nation." (Pg 207)

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about an important piece of history for the arts and free speech in America. Perhaps the most interesting part, however, is that if one were to judge solely from Ginsberg's letters during the obscenity trial, one would get the impression that he was just about the only person who didn't understand how important the outcome of the trial actually was and the place it would have in American history.

[Meg Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book following the obscenity trial of howl as well as the broader push for book banning in this country under the guise of "public decency." Puts the poem and author in a historical context in which they are as much an example of a broader whole as they are the subject of the book. Highly recommended to anyone who loves literature and free speech.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Oh, how I love Allen. This book examines the trial for freedom for Howl--I love how Lawrence Ferlinghetti (great poet, btw) is so excited about changing history and censorship with the Howl trial. Includes some letters by Allen and others; really interesting. A must for any Ginsberg fan.

[Rena Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history and insight into a critical time for the search for free expression and the idea of free speech. I choose this as a resource for my final paper in my final class of my MA of Min program at ESR.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this in the poetry section at Border's Books and took it straight to the check-out counter... every bit as compelling as I thought it would be. Makes me want to sit down and write a "children's" book of my own.

[Donna Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poem itself is a primary source, if you are studying free speech in the United States. Beyond that, there is an interesting view of pop culture in contemporary history. The text is a little dense in places; this could be a more fluent read, but I still think it's worth having.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the obscenities trial for Howl, this book includes transcripts from the trial, letters to and from Ginsberg leading up to and after the trial, and clippings from articles. A must read for anyone who wants to learn more on the subject.

[Jennifer Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the essays, newsclippings, and court documents - I'd give the book 5 stars. Including Ginsberg's letters seemed like a waste of space. They added nothing to the discussion of Howl or free speech and were rather tiresome (basically they were entreaties for cash).

[Chante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The research done for the book is excellent. It's one of my favorites...

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. It has the whole trial transcript, letters from Ginsgberg during the trial, etc. Long live free speach.

[Shannon Richardson-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK

such a valuable source for my EPQ project

[Sarah]

Howl on Trial: The Battle for Free Expression by Bill Morgan (2006)