Rexroth, Kenneth

The Collected Longer Poems of Kenneth Rexroth

New York, NY: New Directions, 1970. First Softcover Edition; Second Printing. Softcover. “It is easy to overcome alienation-the net of the cash nexus can simply be stepped out of, but only by the self-actualizing man. But everyone is self-actualizing and can realize it by the simplest act—the self unselfing itself, the only act that is actual act. I have tried to embody in verse the belief that the only valid conservation of value lies in the assumption of unlimited liability, the supernatural identification of the self with the tragic unity of creative process. I hope I have made it clear that the self does not do this by an act of will, by sheer assertion. He who would save his life must lose it” (Kenneth Rexroth, from “Introduction,” p. x). A collection of all the longer poems through the time of publication (1970) of Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982), the great American poet who was a most influential mentor to the primary figures of the Beat Generation & the San Francisco Renaissance—he was even the "Master of Ceremonies" at the legendary Six Gallery reading in San Francisco, held during 1955 at which Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) first recited "Howl." Here are contained in one volume the five outstanding longer Rexroth poems written from 1920 through 1968, from "The Homestead Called Damascus" (1920-25); “A Prolegomenon to a Theodicy” (1925-1927); “The Phoenix and the Tortoise” (1940-1944); “The Dragon and the Unicorn” (1944-1950); & "The Heart's Garden, The Garden's Heart" (1967-68). An essential book for the collector-scholar of Kenneth Rexroth & 20th-century American long poems. First Trade Softcover Edition, though not explicated as such on copyright page; “Second Printing,” per printed notation thereon. In strong near fine condition with mild-to-moderate shelf-wear, light rubbing, sunning, & similar age-toning related artifacts to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; a few scattered, low-visibility nicks to same at select locales, otherwise clean. Near Fine. [Item #7328]

Price: $20.00