Understanding Kerouac's ON THE ROAD

Jack Kerouac's ON THE ROAD endures as a benchmark in postwar American Letters and an eternal rite of passage for youth. But how many of these young readers actually "get" Kerouac's theme of individual redemption? How many, instead of encountering themselves in the novel as Kerouac intended, encounter only the ghosts of others: the "Beats" of Kerouac's era and imagination? In this penetrating consideration, Edward Renehan reveals Kerouac's main inspirations (and process) in creating ON THE ROAD, and considers the impact the book had on both the author and his times. Most importantly, he examines why the novel Kerouac meant as a banshee cry against orthodoxy has too often been misconstrued as a promotional brochure for mock-rebellion: mere imitation of what others have done before, mere mimicking of the novel's "Beat" characters.

Edward Renehan serves as managing director of New Street Communications. He has previously written more than 20 books published by such imprints as Doubleday, Oxford University Press, Basic/Perseus, Crown, and McGraw-Hill, and has held a number of major positions with Manhattan-based publishing firms, most notably serving seven years as Director of Computer Publishing Programs for Macmillan (later Newbridge, a Division of K-III, now a part of Bookspan). Renehan has as well served as consultant to the publications division of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He lives near Newport, RI.