Rare Book of the Day – Indian Journals, Allen Ginsberg. Signed First Edition.
Indian Journals, Allen Ginsberg. Signed First Edition.
Allen Ginsberg is a major figure in twentieth century letters. He was a poet, philosopher and writer, who was a leading figure in the Beat Generation and the counterculture that followed. He's probably best known for his 1956 poem "Howl", which is considered one of the great works of American literature. Upon publication, it was seized by the San Francisco Police and US Customs and was brought to trial over obscenity due to its portrayal of homosexuality when sodomy was a crime in every US state. The defense won, paving the way for more expansive freedom of speech and acceptance.
Ginsberg was a lifelong Buddhist, and one of his most influential teachers was the Tibetan Buddhist the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa, the founder of the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Indian Journals, published in 1970, is a collection of writings from Ginsberg's trip to India in 1962-1963. Ginsberg describes it as:
"Indian Journals are notebook writings sketches dream fragments night thoughts afternoon reveries Kodak snapshots Optical & verbal: hymns to Kali, political ravings, one line pensees, doodles, description in detail of opium Dens in Calcutta & Bombay; fragments of conversation with Beggars, poets, Babas, newsmen, lovers..."
This is the first paperback printing, signed by Ginsberg:
Signature:
Ginsberg in India:
More info here:
Wow, I’d love to own a copy of this.