On the Road Again

Jack Kerouac's On the Road celebrates its fiftieth anniversary today. This is a book that caused the biggest argument in the history of a very combative book club I was in several years ago. Some of us loved it; some of us didn't. I'll just say that for OtR lovers, there's a plethora of web content out there for you.

Start at NPR. They've posted a story about the book and its writing, exceprts of the book (in case you don't have your copy handy), and even recordings of Kerouac and Cassady. Then move on the New York Times to read the paper's original review of the book and its current impact on everyone from bands to academics. And if you've got the stamina, The Nation has posted a long article comparing Kerouac and Jack London and their journeys around the US.--David E