Collected Poems 1947-1997 (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)

If you just want the poems of Allen Ginsberg, this is all that you need. Absolutely everything (Except for readings, photography and such). If you're considering getting a complete works, you probably don't need a lot of convincing with regards to the merits of Ginberg's poetry. However, I will say that though I am not crazy about a few of the minor poems that he published in his later books, he always stepped it up when it came to the big stuff. And in case you've just read one of the million or so copies out there of Howl, Ginsberg didn't shock the world and make of his life time to smoke weed and watch cartoons. Kaddish blew my mind, and the subtleties of Plutonian Ode come to me all the time when I'm daydreaming. I must admit, I love the pocket poets additions, and have most of Ginsberg's stuff that was printed in those. Then I bought this. Truth is, by the time you've bought two of those you've paid for a little over the price of this. Those little books are nice though and they are what I use. Really doesn't matter all that much how a person reads the poetry I figure & so I will mostly emphasize that all of the books Ginsberg published with City Lights are worth having (the majority of this book). There are at least two poems of Ginsberg that are of the magnitude of Howl (& given the all-encompassing (and not-so-compressed) nature of The Fall of America I would make it 3) & they were written by a more mature poet.

This is a very substantial publication, which covers Allen Ginsberg's life work in poetry, from the late forties, to the poems he wrote on his deathbed. It includes his classics, Howl, Footnote to Howl, Kaddish, America, Hum Bom, and all his other poems, collected over a fifty year period. This book is available as an e-book, but I bought it used through Amazon.com for cheaper than the price of the e-book and it arrived in great condition. I find it more fun to read his poetry if you have recordings of Ginsberg himself reading the poems. He recites his own poetry in a special way, the way it is meant to be read and heard. This is a complete collection from one of the (if not THE) greatest of the poets of the Beat generation, which included Jack Kerouac, and WIlliam S. Burroughs, among others. Five out of five stars for this complete, definitive publication of Ginsberg's poetic lifelong work.

Just fantastic. The book is thick. At least 1000 pages. Their is so much content. It gives you a raw and real view in the life of the beat poet. All the way up until his death, his poems document his life in vivid detail. There are illustrations in the anthology that pertain to Ginsberg's life. Although it is paperback, the book doesn't feel at all cheap and the paper its printed on is high quality. if you are a fan of Ginsberg or the beat generation of poetry this book is a must have. Worth every cent.

Its an amazing book and huge too. Most of Allens work is here. I have the kindle edition as well because I loved my paperback one so much I wanted to carry it around and read Allens poems whenever I felt like it. I fell in love with Allens poetry about a year ago and have been listening to his poems in audio like crazy, but this book is so delightful I have been reading it rather than listening to more audios, as my time is a bit short these days. I cant say how much I love it. I would marry this book if it asked me! I dont think any poetry loving person with a sense of fun would ever regret buying this book. Get it! And bring more wonder into your life.

Ginsberg hallows the new Holy, that Numinous Experience far from the bowed heads and folded hands of false piety. He straddled both the Beat and Hippie Generations with a raw feed that will bear hearing and heeding far beyond this Now when we are None for Crutches, Creeds, and when we seek answers that our paternalistic and chauvinist last century would shut out, that which has become the gay new mainstream. As one who would write poetics of the new raw feed, Ginsberg has emboldened me to be honest to the point of disdain for what before I was (straight and ....phobic) to this my honest moment (trans-fem and happily so!) Read this collection of Psalms as the Newing Testament of a New New wHOLLY Bible!

This is a terrific big book that shows Ginsberg's range from the sublime to the small, occasional poem. All of it is interesting, moving, compassionate, socially critical, and worth enjoying.

Good deal for the price. Thank you.

Took a while for me to understand what Ginsberg was trying to say. After I got it, I am very much enjoying his observational, beat, poetry. If you are squeemish about graphic male homosexuality, you may not like this book. Ginsberg often goes into picturesque explanations of his exploits and desires. I particularly enjoyed his musings on trips through the midwest and his take on the social and political zeitgeist of the times. I'm a little over half way through and enjoying it more and more. Good read into the beats.