Listen to a sample
Jack's Book
- Narrator
- Mauro Hantman
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 1 July 2012
- Run Time
- 11 hours 13 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
The classic and fascinating story of Jack Kerouac, "King of the Beats" and American literary legend, recorded through the voices of his friends and lovers. Authors Barry Gifford and Lawrence Lee retraced Kerouac's life at home and on the road and talked with the prophets, musicians, poets, socialites, and working people who knew him. Some are famous (Allen Ginsberg, Gore Vidal, William Burroughs); some are not (Jack's boyhood buddies, his lovers, his barroom companions). All have contributed to a remarkably vibrant, riveting portrait of a life. We see Jack at Columbia University and on the scene of Greenwich Village; speeding across the tarmac of America with Neal Cassidy ('Dan Moriarty' in Kerouac's classic novel, On the Road); at home with his possessive mother; in California, drinking wine and talking Buddhism; and finally, in Florida, where his life ends tragically at forty-seven years old. Jack's Book, like Kerouac's novels, makes a unique contribution to our understanding of a man and a generation that shaped the dreams and visions of those who followed.
Critics Review
-
“Jack’s Book is first-rate…if offers the flavor and depth of good fiction while keeping well within the realms of literal truth.”
Saturday Review
-
“Lively…and often compelling.”
Chicago Tribune
-
“If you’re interested in what the talk of the Fifties sounded like, and if you believe that literature may just have something to do with life, then read this book.”
National Review
-
“A fascinating literary and historical document, the most insightful look at the beat generation.”
Dan Wakefield, American novelist
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Barry Gifford, Lawrence Lee
- Narrator
- Mauro Hantman
- Duration
- 11 hours 13 minutes
- Release Date
- 1 July 2012
- ISBN
- 9781620640586
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Biography: general, Biography: writers
Synopsis
The classic and fascinating story of Jack Kerouac, "King of the Beats" and American literary legend, recorded through the voices of his friends and lovers. Authors Barry Gifford and Lawrence Lee retraced Kerouac's life at home and on the road and talked with the prophets, musicians, poets, socialites, and working people who knew him. Some are famous (Allen Ginsberg, Gore Vidal, William Burroughs); some are not (Jack's boyhood buddies, his lovers, his barroom companions). All have contributed to a remarkably vibrant, riveting portrait of a life. We see Jack at Columbia University and on the scene of Greenwich Village; speeding across the tarmac of America with Neal Cassidy ('Dan Moriarty' in Kerouac's classic novel, On the Road); at home with his possessive mother; in California, drinking wine and talking Buddhism; and finally, in Florida, where his life ends tragically at forty-seven years old. Jack's Book, like Kerouac's novels, makes a unique contribution to our understanding of a man and a generation that shaped the dreams and visions of those who followed.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.