Gentleman Junkie: The Life and Legacy of William S. Burroughs

by Graham Caveney and Steve; Bennett... Bennett

Book Overview

A portrait of the iconoclastic literary pioneer describes his early life and education, his growing addiction to heroin, his role in the Beat movement, his landmark works, and his influence on the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316137251
• ISBN13: 9780316137256
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

The "Stryfe and Crimes" of William S. Burroughs

This book is excellent. This book not only provides an insight into the world of W.S. Burroughs, but also brief insight into the lives of such figures as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. There are picturs throughout, and numerous quotes from Burroughs to spark the imagination, and promote new mental growth. This biography spans the time from his birth to his death, and to my knowledge is the most accurate and complete biography published so far about this dynamic literary figure. If you wish to learn more about this author, or about the beat world in general, this book will provide a world of answers.

A colorfull look into the fascinating life of Burroughs

On Aug. 3 , 1997, author William S. Burroughs died of a heart attack. He left behind two legacies ; his writing and the events of his life. Graham Caveney takes on the task of unfolding both and weaving them into a book that flows easily and is full of color and image .It feel almost like an art book .Images and text swirl together almost moving off the page. For most Americans Burroughs is known but hardly read. Noterised by his drug intake ,not his literary output. Caveney is careful to document the different avenues of change this man persued. Coming at a time when alot of his spoken works are being re-examined and released ,this document is sure to shed more than a little light on a man who truely was a great word smith ( or destroyer there of).

A genuine work of art that celebrates an American icon.

Take a Warhol-esque magical mystery tour through the life of artist, beat poet, and world class junkie William Burroughs. This atypical biography full of psychedelic images and off-the-wall art perfectly captures the life of America's ultimate hep-cat. Not for those in search of a conventional life story--but why would such squares want to read about Burroughs, anyway?If you dig those who walk on the wild side this book will take you for a fabulous ride. More than worth the price of admission for the twisted folks among us who are proud of the fact they refuse to "just say no".