Jonah Raskin is Chair of Communications at Sonoma State University and produces the website radicaljacklondon.com. His work focuses on analyzing and understanding the deeper meanings within texts. He endeavors to bring the author's legacy and literary contributions closer to readers.
Offering an insider's perspective, Raskin reveals the lesser-known aspects of California, emphasizing the connection between culture and agriculture. The book challenges the dominance of agribusiness by highlighting the cultural significance of farming, aiming to restore appreciation for the state's agricultural roots.
Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad, E. M. Forster, D. H. Lawrence, and Joyce Cary
Written as a cultural weapon and a call to arms, Howl touched a raw nerve in Cold War America and has been controversial from the day it was first read aloud nearly fifty years ago. This study of Howl elucidates the nexus of politics and literature in which it was written and gives portraits of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs.
The collection features thirty-six original poems by Jonah Raskin, showcasing his unique voice and perspective as both a writer and critic. These works delve into various themes, reflecting Raskin's insights and experiences, while offering readers a fresh exploration of contemporary poetry.
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco in 1955, this novel intertwines the vibrant emergence of American counterculture with significant social and political changes. It delves into the lives of bohemians and artists who frequent Lawrence Ferlinghetti's City Lights Bookstore, engaging with influential figures like Gregory Corso and Simone de Beauvoir. The narrative captures the spirit of the era, highlighting the impact of iconic literary works and the cultural revolution that defined a generation.