Nicosia, Gerald (Kerouac, Jack)

Memory Babe: A Critical Biography of Jack Kerouac with: Ephemera

ISBN: 0394522702
New York, NY, USA: Grove Press, 1983. First Edition. Hardcover. Signed and inscribed by Gerald Nicosia to Allen Tobias. The first thing that any reader notices upon observing the back cover of Gerry Nicosia’s biographical masterwork, Memory Babe: A Critical Biography of Jack Kerouac is the litany of rhapsodic endorsements that endlessly sing its praises. These snap-shot endorsements manage to convey that this volume has achieved something often unthinkable in the realm of biography—namely, it has won over those who are intimately familiar with and personally knew the subject matter; it manages to accurately portray events and personages that they themselves might have been present at or encountered. The great patron saint of our establishment, William S. Burroughs (1914–1997), was not known for being loose with compliments, and generally would vivisect any power-hungry authoritarians, posers, charlatans, and “the shits”—often employing an armada of adjectives to depict and demean the mediocrity and dishonesty of those who found themselves in said camps. Needless to say, his word carried weight, which makes the following endorsement all the more remarkable: “It is by far the best of the many books published about Jack Kerouac’s life and work, accurately and clearly written, with a sure feeling for Jack’s own prose.” John Clellon Holmes (1926–1988) was even more enthusiastic, writing: “This is the Kerouac I knew, his sufferings and his exultations, his elusive charisma, and his maddening moods. At last, he has been treated as the serious, searching soul he was. A great writer and a great biographer have come together, and the result is a book that is essential for anyone interested in the development of postwar American literature.” The eccentric New York writer & cult favorite Seymour Krim (1922–1989) chimed in, as well; “An enormous labor of love that stands like a monument to its martyred subject. It dwarfs the three Kerouac biographies that preceded it in single-mindedness, seriousness, intensity, and tireless pursuit of detail. It is finally a model of what a relentlessly engaged biography should be.” This is an essential volume for any enthusiast of any and all Beat-&-Beyond literature, and generally a masterwork in the way of biography. From the collection of Allen Tobias, assistant to Ginsberg beginning in the 1960s, curator, critical writer & Man of Letters- as well as our good friend & esteemed colleague at the European Beat Studies Network (ebsn.eu), as is Nicosia. Signed in thin blue ink at title page is inscribed the following: “For Allen Tobias–a gentleman and scholar of the Beats, and an important player himself in all the scenarios–with respect and friendship–Gerald Nicosia. Long Live Fred Jordan! June 11, 2015 Corte Modera, California.” We have also found and retained between first paste-down page and title page a folded sheet of paper that on one side is a flier that reads: “LUNATICS, LOVERS, POETS VETS AND BARGIRLS: A collection of poems by Gerald Nicosia. Illustrations by Jakub Kalousek. 1st Edition, fall 1989” followed by a chaotic illustration and a note in thin blue ink at the bottom next to a publisher that has been crossed out in a blue X, the notation reads: “Out of business–book has to be ordered from me.” The other side of the sheet is blank save for a stamp (indicating that the note is from Nicosia) and a note from Nicosia to Tobias that reads: “Dear Allen–I signed your Memory Babe for you. Weather is hot here now. I have to wait another month & a half to find out if I got the NEH grant to finish my book on (indiscernible). Pray for me! Love–Gerry” Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket: First edition, as stated at copyright page, first printing, as indicated by number sequence thereon. Book is in fine condition with moderate wear to fine edges, and light sun-toning to pages; dust jacket is in near fine condition with light tearing to top and bottom fine edges, minor smudging and discoloration to front and back covers, and light wear and tear at spine near top and bottom. An extra handling fee will be added for shipping due to the weight of this item. Very Fine / Near Fine. [Item #6371]

Price: $100.00