Olson, Charles

Causal Mythology

San Francisco, CA: Four Seasons Foundation, 1969. First Softcover Edition. Softcover. Causal Mythology, if properly billed, would tell you what Your Favorite Independent Booksellers at Third Mind Books took the time to tell you: that it holds within its covers a lecture delivered by the great-&-powerful Charles Olson (b. 1910-1970). The second thing to know is that it's not just a "lecture," but a "Lecture + Dialogue," one that features insightful commentary-responses from San Francisco Renaissance giant Robert Duncan (1919-1988) & Bobbie Louise Hawkins (1930-2018) tastefully peppered throughout. The third thing to know is that THIS IS NOT JUST ANY OLD LECTURE: Causal Mythology was delivered in the rarefied air of the Berkeley Poetry Conference of 1965, a conference which Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) himself recognized as a one of the epoch-defining moments in Mid-Century American Poetry. As is typical with Olson, the publication did not only require the focused participation of Editor-Publisher Don Allen (1912-2004, of New American Poetry fame). It required the work of Brian Fawcett (1944-2022) & Albert Glover (1942-2026), who had likewise attempted a transcription of Olson's Causal Mythology lecture and compared notes with Allen after the fact. It also required reference-work consultations with the Olson-friendly SFR poet Robin Blaser (1925-2009), not to mention the input of Olson scholar-&-literary executor, George Butterick (1942-1988). On the front cover appears Olson: pictured, perhaps, moments after realizing you have no idea what the hell he's talking about. Luckily, his disciples are here to help: the above-mentioned disciple-associates helped Allen footnote the codex of source material Olson references during the talk. Typically, we would quote (at length) a section of the work--providing the curious customer with an appetizer-sampling of the contents within. This time, we opt to withhold that experience of epiphany & delirium which comes with confronting the Godzilla of Gloucester...saving that plunge inside this ponderous tract for the item's eventual buyer. See Item No. 8812 & 9055 e for more from our favorite "Maximus Obscurantist," Olson. From the collection of scholar, poet and our dear friend Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder of the Detroit Artists' Workshop with the late, great John Sinclair (1941-2024). Trade-Format Softcover: First Softcover Edition, first printing though not explicated as such at copyright page. A most collectible Olsonian objet d'art in one of its rarest forms, with relevant association & very distinguished provenance. In relatively fine condition with mild-to-moderate rubbing & scratching mostly to fine edges of front, back covers & spine; mild age-toning to same; mild age-toning & rubbing to text block. Interior fine with mild age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of page leaves. Fine. [Item #8983]

Price: $35.00