Spontaneous Mind: Selected Interviews, 1958-1996

"Spontaneous mind," a collection of interviews, is an uncensored perspective of Allen Ginsberg's life, work and the events of his time. The poet felt the interview was an art form, an opportunity to discuss and teach about writing, music, spirituality and whatever topic may surface. Although some celebrities may shun the interview, Ginsberg clearly held a passion for the medium which is quite palpable throughout this collection. In fact, Ginsberg does not flinch at any of the questions, but instead attacks them with fervor and honesty. The editor, David Carter, includes several vigorous and worthy spars. A conservative William Buckley begets a heated discussion about America in 1968 concerning drugs, censorship and the Vietnam War. A stoic Christian confronts the Buddhist devotee with God's Word. Ginsberg patiently reaches for truth and understanding with compassion in every interview. He is generous with his thoughts but at times the interviews are long-winded. This is the inherent danger of being spontaneous, the cliche of beatniks being free-spirits who spout non-sequiturs off the top of their heads seems eerily true at times. However, the text is a lucid portal for the reader to glimpse the beatnik world through the eyes of one of its gods. Ginsberg's history is an indelible part of beatnik culture. William Blake, Walt Whitman, Jack Kerouac and numerous other notable influences are also discussed. Bohdan Kot

i am a ginsberg fan and so i am biased but this book of interviews is really an enjoyable read. sure some of the interviews are dated but they really show the great intuitive thinker and off the cuff debater the allen ginsberg really was.especially fun is his debate with john lofton who attempts to bury ginsberg in his born-again brand of conservativism. also fun is allen's transcripts from the chicago seven trial. i actually found this a hoot.also his discussion on poetics is quite enlightening.we miss you allen; your shining mind, intelligent wit and your shaman boddisattvic spirit

David Carter edits this compilation of selected interviews with Allen Ginsburg from 1958-96, providing a chronological arrangement of material which in some cases has not appeared elsewhere. The extensive interviews from decades of changing experience result in an excellent survey of Ginsberg's changing life, works and times, and provides a fine commentary on his social and literary life.

Allen Ginsberg was a poet, teacher and activist. I believe all these facets of his art were always part of him, but each had a period of ascendancy. The fifties,the poet. The sixties, the teacher, and the seventies, the activist. Later, we see the wise elder of the tribe. A generalization but useful in understanding Ginsberg. All three are found in this great book of interviews. The introduction by Edmund White explores the skills demonstrated in his use of the interview. The choice of interviews are wonderful. The interplay of Ginsberg and the interviewers are like a watching the perfect tennis match where the beauty of the play is as enjoyable to the spectator (reader) as the score (content). The interviews cover a wide range of topics which reveal as much as Ginsberg intended, and in the best of them, more. This may be a better place to read a "biography" of Ginsberg than in the standard form.