The First Third by Neal Cassady Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The First Third
Book Review: A valuble source of Cassady's history
Summary: 3 Stars
Neal Cassady, the epitome of beat, wrote this volume of work (the First Third, and other writings), with a completely amateur approach, the book contains a lot of biography-oriented material that must be read in order to appreciate his chaotic poetical climaxes which occur sporadically throughout the text. The First Third is the least impressive part of the book, while the excerpts from letters stand out as the highlights for me, only because they contain the majority of Cassady's insane spontaenous surges.I loved "The First Third" because I have always been enthralled with Neal Cassady as the human being he really was, and not so much the mad voodoo child that Kerouac sometimes makes him out to be. "The First Third" ultimately shows Cassady as a relatively normal individual who popped like a firecracker out of middle-class Denver into the party known as the Beat Generation.
This book is great for its history and few moments of glory, but had not Neal Cassady wrote it, but some other guy who lived in the fifties, the book wouldnt have been all that impressive.
Book Review: Bukowski said it better
Summary: 1 Stars
The Beat-Ups had an unrealistic romantic notion of the heartland and the sticks. They slummed their way through America and insisted that everyone else share their own infantilism, incredulity and narcissism. Bukowski, rather, tells it like it is without any literary pretensions and pleading for understanding. On the Road and other such stuff is useful as a historical document of pre-interstate road travel, and not much else.
Beat-Ups should grow up, get a job and pay the rent.
I heartily advise you all to read Ham on Rye and Post Office. This will give you an insight into real America.
Book Review: Entertaining and fun.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the true life story of the main inspiration behind the beat movement and the early Acid movement. This autobiography examines the first 13 years or so of Cassady's life. The only problem with it is that it is too short. However, it redeems itself with the addition of letters and exerpts in the back. These are more entertaining than the book in some ways. Check out the letter to Ken Kesey. When you are done with this book check out the movie, "The Last Time I Committed Suicide." It is based on one of the exerpts from the book. Overall, this is a fun book that gives insight into Cassady's early life.Book Review: Essential look at the beat icon
Summary: 4 Stars
The First Third is a far cry from being one of the best books that I have read. However, if you are a fan of Jack Kerouac, as I am, this book is a must read. In reading this book you get an understanding of who neal thought that he was, and how he got that way. This book is essential if you want a more complete understanding of Kerouac's On the Road. The fashion in which this book is written borows much style from Cassidy's compaions, consisting of some of the greatest minds of twentieth century literature.Book Review: For Die-Hards Only
Summary: 1 Stars
As a reader who came to this book from a curiosity about Neal Cassady the person, I was disapointed to say the least. It's ironic that the book that offers the least insight into the workings of Neal Cassady's mind would be his own autobiography. I can't say very much about his prose either--his letters, if anything, capture the best of his essence for posterity. Perhaps Neal was just too pragmatic before a daunting typewriter and the task of recording his life--he is too chronological and spends too much time on his family tree, which is not fascinating enough to warrant it. The book, which reads more like a school paper, ends with Neal still a child. He should have started with "The Third Third" and worked backwards.