This fourth printing was ordered just one month after his acquittal. After a very public trial Ferlinghetti was released, and another 5,000 copies were published to cope with the public demanded generated from the arrest. It’s an incredible work of art, and its ban and subsequent obscenity trial changed the future of literature for the better. For publishing the collection Lawrence Ferlinghetti, a beat poet in his own right, was arrested and charged with obscenity. Howl, and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg Staff Reviews Details The first time I read this book of poetry I could feel the rhythm of the words in my bones. 'Howl' is a poem written by Allen Ginsberg in 1955, published as part of his 1956 collection of poetry titled 'Howl and Other Poems.' Ginsberg began work on 'Howl' as early as 1954. 'Howl' is one of the principle works of the Beat generation, but it was not without its controversy. Unusual thus.Įarly issue of the quintessential poetry collection from this noted Beat author, with introduction by William Carlos Williams. The size and shape of the book itself, along with the content, speaks to issues of class and conformity. This status inheres in the physical design of the book beyond its being a paperback original.

Signed by both Ginsberg (title page recto) and publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti (verso). This is another realm in which Howl and Other Poems is a great bookit betokens its readers status as rebels and nonconformists.

HOWL & Other Poems, the prophetic book that launched the Beat Generation, was published by Lawrence Ferlinghetti at City Lights Books in 1956. The title poem of Howl and Other Poems is key, and its opening line famously defines the Beat Generation: 'I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.' The poem captured the imagination of writers and artists who were alienated from the dominant social forms of Dwight Eisenhowers America. original black and white printed wraps, pp.44 title page browned last page creased the wraps with some wear and browning and some amateur retouching to the black to cover and inner front cover.įirst edition, fourth printing. The landmark, original publication of Allen Ginsberg’s HOWL & Other Poems.

Howl and another poem