Crowe, Thomas Rain

The Perfect Work

John's Creek, NC: New Native Press, 1990. Limited First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Hand-designated as Author's Copy, dated & signed by Thomas Rain Crowe. " 'The perfect work' is what we do with our God-given talents, in service, and how we use these talents to grow. To become more fully who we truly are. And in this way, how we are related to the individual and collective growth of others, as, by example, we assist them in their 'race' with Destiny. In their struggles to conquer the prejudice of Time..." (from second page) An essay by Thomas Rain Crowe, the acclaimed & prolific poet, publisher & educator who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s (see our book, Starting from San Francisco, item No. 3071, Deluxe Edition No. 3075). A literary-historic work about the Appalachian, Celtic & Native American culture & traditions to which Crowe was born to, in the Smoky Mountains region of North Carolina, & to which he returned after his San Francisco sojourn & still resides. With many of Crowe's own poems that exemplify the history & ideas of his essay. A key to understanding the poet's background, influences (including Thomas Merton, Wendell Berry & Gary Snyder, the primary Beat Generation- San Francisco Renaissance poet who was Crowe's mentor) & ideas behind his poems. As noted in colophon, this chapbook is one of 100 (unnumbered) copies printed by the author (& published by his own prolific imprint of his & others' works, New Native Press) "...for the fall equinox of 1990." As also noted on colophon page, this essay was first published in a collection during 1986, this is the first separate issue. On title page, Crowe has hand-written & signed: "Author's Copy/ 9/24/90/ (signed) Thomas Rain Crowe." The date is almost precisely that of the equinox referred to in colophon, therefore coordinated with time of publication. A key collectible in the Crowe canon, in its very rarest form. In fine condition with very slight rubbing to front, back covers & stapled spine; mild wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same. Interior fine with mild-to-moderate spotting of page leaves, not effecting legibility of text; tiny bumps at corner of some of same. Fine. [Item #3597]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00