Jack Kerouac's Copy | Timothy Leary | The Politics of Ecstasy

Description: This copy features ink and blind stamps from the Kerouac estate on the front free endpaper. KEROUAC, Jack (his copy) - LEARY, Timothy. The Politics of Ecstasy.New York: Putnam, 1968. First Edition. A business card for William Targ, the editor-in-chief of Putnam at the time, is laid in, suggesting this book may have been sent to Kerouac for review. Timothy Leary's "The Politics of Ecstasy" explores the potential of psychedelics to expand consciousness and foster personal and social transformation. Published during a period of increasing interest in hallucinogenic substances, the book articulates Leary's vision of using psychedelics as a means to achieve liberation from societal constraints. This work serves as a physical representation of the ideological tensions between the Beat Generation and the emerging psychedelic movement of the 1960s. The relationship between Jack Kerouac and Timothy Leary was marked by skepticism and tension. They met in January 1961 at Allen Ginsberg's apartment, where Leary aimed to study the effects of psilocybin on Kerouac's writing. The encounter was challenging; Kerouac arrived intoxicated, mocked Leary, and behaved belligerently. Although he participated in the experiment, it proved unproductive. Despite a brief moment of connection after taking psilocybin, their interaction was largely negative, leading Leary to conclude that Kerouac could not let go of his traditional values to embrace the counterculture. This dynamic reflected a broader generational divide. Interestingly, despite his initial involvement in the counterculture, Kerouac later retreated to his Catholic roots, becoming more devout and conservative, underscoring the complexity of his spiritual journey.

Price: 600 USD

Location: Los Angeles, California

End Time: 2024-11-14T01:11:21.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.38 USD