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On the Road
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On the Road Paperback - 2012

by Jack Kerouac


About this book

Perhaps the most famous and influential of the Beat novels, Jack Kerouac's On the Road represents much of what made the Beat and Counterculture movements so unique and important. The plot concerning the road trips and adventures experienced by Kerouac and his friends is well-known, as are the rumors and tall tales of the books' production.

Kerouac often claimed that the wrote On the Road in a mere three weeks on a single 120-foot scroll of paper. Although that scroll does indeed exist and is featured in museums, Kerouac kept detailed journals of his travels that would later become passages and chapters in the finished product. The book was first published by Viking in 1957. 


Viking Press would go on to publish an edited version of On the Road in 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first printing. They substituted the fictional names for the real Beat protagonists, and they even included some of the more sexually explicit passages that were edited out of the 1957 edition.


Due to the cultural significance of the book, true first editions/first printings of On the Road are quite valuable. But be warned: it is easy to mistake reprints or book club editions for the real thing, so always check with an expert before making a significant purchase.

Summary

Jack Kerouac's groundbreaking novel—soon to be a major motion picture with a star-studded cast

In what is sure to be one of the major cinematic events of 2012, Jack Kerouac's legendary Beat classic, On the Road, will finally hit the big screen. Directed by Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries; Paris, Je T'Aime) and with a cast of some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga), Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams (Julie & Julia, The Fighter), Tom Sturridge, and Viggo Mortensen (the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Road), the film will attract new fans who will be inspired by Kerouac's revolutionary masterwork.

From the publisher

The classic novel of freedom and the search for authenticity that defined a generation--made into a 2012 film by Walter Salles, director of The Motorcycle Diaries

September 5th, 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of On the Road Inspired by Jack Kerouac's adventures with Neal Cassady, On the Road tells the story of two friends whose cross-country road trips are a quest for meaning and true experience. Written with a mixture of sad-eyed naivete and wild ambition and imbued with Kerouac's love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz, On the Road is the quintessential American vision of freedom and hope, a book that changed American literature and changed anyone who has ever picked it up. The movie adaptation featured a cast of some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga), Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams (Julie & Julia, The Fighter), Tom Sturridge, and Viggo Mortensen (the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Road).

First Edition Identification

On The Road was first published by Viking in 1957. True first printings of the book include the $3.95 pricing information on the top right hand corner of the front inside dust jacket flap. Later printings and subsequent book club editions do not feature the price in that location. Additionally, a photo of Kerouac is featured on the back inside cover flap along with a brief description of the author.

Details

  • Title On the Road
  • Author Jack Kerouac
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 293
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, New York
  • Date 2012-11-20
  • ISBN 9780143120285 / 014312028X
  • Weight 0.6 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 in (21.34 x 13.97 x 2.29 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 940
  • Library of Congress subjects Autobiographical fiction, United States - Social life and customs -
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Jack Kerouac(1922-1969), the central figure of the Beat Generation, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1922 and died in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1969. Among his many novels are On the Road, The Dharma Bums, Big Sur, and Visions of Cody.

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On the Road

by Jack Kerouac

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On the Road
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On the Road

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Jossey-Bass Inc Pub, 2010. 1st Edition . Trade Paperback. As New. As New - May Have Minor Shelf Wear To Edges. - For More Information On Condition. Please See All Photos. - Jack Kerouac's Groundbreaking Novel-Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture With A Star-Studded Castin What Is Sure To Be One Of The Major Cinematic Events Of 2012, Jack Kerouac's Legendary Beat Classic, On The Road, Will Finally Hit The Big Screen. Directed By Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries; Paris, Je T'aime) And With A Cast Of Some Of Hollywood's Biggest Stars, Including Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga), Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams (Julie & Julia, The Fighter), Tom Sturridge, And Viggo Mortensen (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, The Road), The Film Will Attract New Fans Who Will Be Inspired By Kerouac's Revolutionary Masterwork.
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