Barry Miles Books

The life story of the literary icon Time magazine called the "laureate of American low-life" In this definitive biography celebrated Beat historian Barry Miles turns his attention to the exploits of the hard-drinking, belligerent wild man of literature. Having spoken with people close to Bukowski, he offers a full examination of Bukowski's extensive writings, which chronicled the seedy underside of the city in which he spent most of his life, Los Angeles. Miles discusses his influences and writing life. Bukowski's heroes were the panhandlers, hustlers, drunks, and hookers; his beat the racetracks and strip joints; and his inspiration a series of dead-end jobs in warehouses, offices, and factories. It was in the evenings that he would put on a classical record, open a beer, and begin to type. Brought up by a violent father, Bukowski suffered childhood beatings before developing horrific acne and withdrawing into a moody adolescence. Much of his young life epitomized the style of the Beat generation--riding Greyhound buses, bumming around, and drinking himself into a stupor. During his lifetime he published more than 45 books of poetry and prose, including the novels Post Office, Factotum, Women, and Pulp. His novels sold millions of copies worldwide in dozens of languages.

Full of insightful quotes from the Fab Four, their friends, and family. Fully illustrated throughout.

This small format version of a milestone book is an astonishingly detailed chronology of gigs, venues, quotes and memorable dates relating to The Beatles. Uncovering the quarrels, the sex and the drugs, as well as the personal triumphs, The Beatles Diary is simply the most revealing personal history of the group ever published. Features hundreds of photographs.

In the early 1960s, Barry Miles attended art school in Cheltenham and later managed the Beatles' Apple label while living in New York's Chelsea Hotel. This memoir recounts his experiences during this transformative period and features portraits of notable figures like Allan Ginsberg, William Burroughs, and Charles Olson.

Now available once again after being out of print for several years, the David Bowie Black Book remains one of the most elegant books about the iconic superstar ever to have been published.

Let your freak flag fly!Climb on the psychedelic bus with the Merry Pranksters and take the Acid Test….Groove on the streets of Haight-Ashbury during the Summer of Love….Get experienced with Hendrix at Monterey and commune with the mud and 400,000 free spirits at Woodstock….From the mid-60s to the early 70s, the hippie counter culture burst upon the scene in celebration of freedom, love, peace, and the limitless possibilities of sensual and spiritual exploration. Alive with the outrageous personalities and revolutionary upheavals of a time that changed the world, Hippie is trippy and true to the spirit of a time unlike any other. Far out, man!

This title examines the counter culture that emerged in London’s West End and Soho after World War II, highlighting the city’s appeal to artists, writers, musicians, and fashion designers in their quest for inspiration and success.

By dividing the Beat Collection into three The Original Beats – New York 1944-53; The San Francisco Scene 1954-57 and The Second Wave – New York 1958-60, New York Times bestselling author and Beat expert Barry Miles pulls together writings from, among others, Jack Kerouac, Gregory Corso, John Clellon Holmes, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Philip Lamantia, Frank O'Hara, Diane DiPrima and Alexander Trocchi to create a fascinating compendium that epitomizes the Beat vibe.

The story of Frank Zappa with quotes from the man himself.

teacher and elder statesman to the Beats: William Burroughs remains one of the most complex and controversial American writers of the twentieth century. číst celé

The Beat Hotel is a delightful chronicle of a remarkable moment in American literary history. From the Howl obscenity trial to the invention of the cut-up technique, Barry Miles's extraordinary narrative chronicles the feast of ideas that was Paris, where the Beats took awestruck audiences with Duchamp and Celine, and where some of their most important work came to fruition--Ginsberg's "Kaddish" and "To Aunt Rose"; Corso's The Happy Birthday of Death; and Burroughs's Naked Lunch. Based on firsthand accounts from diaries, letters, and many original interviews, The Beat Hotel is an intimate look at an era of spirit, dreams, and genius.

More than forty years after the publication of On the Road, Jack Kerouac is more widely read and revered by a new generation than ever before. Why this is so is the subject of Barry Miles's fresh and revealing portrait of the writer who is the acknowledged leader of the Beats, the group of writers that included Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Neal Cassady, and Gary Snyder, who together influenced the direction of writing and culture more than any group of artists since England's Bloomsbury. Drawing on Kerouac's close friendship and conversations with Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs, Miles offers provocative new insights into both the exuberance and the dismay of Kerouac, a man full of contradictions who was surprisingly conventional despite his longing to rebel. The Kerouac who emerges is deeper, darker, and more fascinating than any we've ever known. Kerouac is now an icon, an image, an attitude, and Barry Miles convincingly conveys his longing for greatness and the consequences of achieving it.

A guide to the Rolling Stones which traces their career from 1960 to the present day. It covers the drug busts of the 1960s, the death of Brian Jones, and the departure of Bill Wyman. This book also features a month-by-month diary, comprising all important events shaping their 30-year career.

Ten years after his death, Frank Zappa continues to influence popular culture. With almost one hundred recordings still in print, Zappa remains a classic American icon. Scores of bands have been influenced by (and have shamelessly imitated) his music, and a talented roster of musicians passed through Zappa’s bands. Now comes the definitive biography of Zappa by Barry Miles, best-selling author of Hippie and Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, who knew Zappa personally and was present at the recording of some of his most important albums. Miles follows Zappa from his sickly Italian-American childhood in the 1940s (his father worked for the military and was used to test the effectiveness of new biological warfare agents) to his youthful pursuit of what was a lifelong dream: becoming a classical composer. Zappa brings together the many different personalities of this music legend together for the first time: the self-taught musician and composer who gained fame with the “rock” band the Mothers of Invention; the political antagonist who mocked presidents while being invited by Vaclav Havel to represent Czechoslovakia’s cultural interests in the United States, and Zappa the family man who was married to the same woman for over thirty years.

First serious biography of classically trained guitar virtuoso and rock star, by one who knew him intimately.

Tells the story of an ugly old man who has gone unloved for too long, but a change comes over him as he begins more and more relationships with women.

With the resurgence of vinyl going from strength to strength, album cover art is as important as it's ever been. This sumptuous book brings together 250 of the greatest album covers of all time and is arranged chronologically, beginning in 1956. Our judging panel, drawn from the great and the good of the music industry, has selected the final 275 entries, giving their reasons for selection to accompany the illustrations. From rock ‘n’ roll to pop, R&B to jazz, blues and even folk, some of the album covers included are obvious classics, while others will surprise readers and jog memories. The chosen entries might not necessarily be of a best-selling release, but they are important artistically, stylistically or culturally. This fascinating book forms a wonderful visual record of this popular art form, and is an essential read for music fans the world over.

From pop culture critic and music journalist Miles Marshall Lewis comes a book about the power and poetry of Kendrick Lamar! Kendrick Lamar is one of the most influential rappers, songwriters and record producers of his generation. Widely known for his incredible lyrics and powerful music, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Promise That You Will Sing About Me explores Kendrick Lamar's life, his roots, his music, his lyrics, and how he has shaped the musical landscape of this generation. With incredible graphic design, quotes, lyrics and commentary from Ta-Nehisi Coates, Alicia Garza and more, this book provides an in-depth look at how Kendrick came to be who he is today, his world, how he creates his lyrics and music, and how he revolutionizes the music industry from the inside.

Tells the story behind the making of the album that signaled the descent of Sylvester Sly Stone Stewart into a haze of drug addiction and delirium. In the spacious attic of a Beverly Hills mansion belonging to John and Michelle Phillips during the fall of 1970, Sly Stone began recording his follow-up to 1969's Stand!.

The anarchic, phenomenally strong-selling classic from the godfather of the Beats, featuring for the first time the restored text, all the accompanying essays, and newly discovered material from the original manuscript.

For the first time, cultural icon and label manager Barry Miles tells the full story of Zapple. It is a story of inspired ideas, set against the backdrop of London's vibrant underground scene and the final years of the battling Beatles and their crumbling Apple empire.

An intimate member of Allen Ginsberg's circle and the editor of many of his works, Miles is the only person with access to the poet's enormous personal archives to create this definitive biography. Full of rich human detail and wonderful anecdotes. Photos.

Art lovers, students, and travelers will appreciate this beautifully bound, lavishly illustrated book that explores the architectural elements of buildings and monuments. It delves into arches, domes, roofs, walls, entrances, windows, arcades, and ornamental details that define each structure's character. The volume presents these elements from both aesthetic and structural perspectives, featuring technical drawings alongside interior and exterior photos of global architectural landmarks. Structures range from classical Greek and Roman buildings to the modern Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Variations on architectural elements are illustrated and analyzed, including the Roman Arch, Lancet Arch of Gothic cathedrals, Ogee Arch of Venice's Palace of the Doges, and the Four-Centered Arch in Moorish Islamic architecture. Readers gain a deeper appreciation for the planning and construction behind cathedrals, mosques, government buildings, mansions, office blocks, museums, castles, and theaters. Hundreds of full-color photos and illustrations enhance the experience. A detailed analysis of the Hagia Sophia, originally a Christian church transformed into a mosque, showcases the construction techniques of ancient Roman architects, highlighting its magnificent central dome through cross-section drawings.

Nell’autunno del 1957, tre giovani poeti americani - Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso e Peter Orlovsky - arrivano a Parigi dopo un lungo viaggio tra Africa ed Europa, con l'intenzione di restare solo qualche settimana. Invece, per i successivi tre anni, Ginsberg e Corso, insieme a Orlovsky e William Burroughs, diventano il fulcro di una colonia beat nel cadente albergo della Rive gauche, il Beat Hotel. Questo luogo, gestito da Madame Rachou, rappresenta un rifugio per artisti in fuga dalla repressione americana. Nelle sue stanze buie e sovraffollate, si crea una nuova bohème, caratterizzata da sperimentazioni creative, droghe e libero amore, raccontate in lunghe conversazioni registrate da Barry Miles. Qui, Burroughs scrive Pasto nudo, Ginsberg compone la prima stesura di Kaddish, un omaggio alla madre, e Corso scrive il suo primo romanzo, American Express. Le loro storie si intrecciano con quelle di altri protagonisti come Jack Kerouac e artisti meno noti come Brion Gysin e Ian Sommerville, con i quali Burroughs inizia a sviluppare i primi cut-up.

Pink Floyd schufen in den Sechzigerjahren den ersten echten Soundtrack des alternativen London – mit einer radikal neuen Kombination aus Musik, Lightshow und pyrotechnischen Bühneneffekten. Der Autor verfolgte die Entwicklung der Gruppe von den frühesten Tagen an, als Pink Floyd noch fremde Rhythm & Blues-Nummern spielte, bis zum Zenit ihres Ruhms, als sie weltbekannt war und mit The Dark Side Of The Moon eines der erfolgreichsten Alben aller Zeiten veröffentlichte. So gewinnt sein persönlich gehaltenes Porträt einer aufstrebenden jungen Band Profil. Barry Miles erlebte die Gruppe schon live, als sie sich noch The Pink Floyd Sound nannte, und er schrieb seinen ersten Artikel über sie 1966 für eine New Yorker Underground-Zeitung. Miles kannte die Musiker auch persönlich. Er war Zeuge des raschen Verfalls von Syd Barrett und beteiligte sich aktiv an der Vorbereitung einiger großer Konzerte von Pink Floyd. Er rekonstruiert aus direkter Anschauung die frühen Jahre der Gruppe – von ihren Wurzeln in der englischen Universitätsstadt Cambridge bis zum Kultstatus im London der Sechziger. Dieses Buch bildet im Hannibal-Programm die Ergänzung der klassischen Bandbiografie von Nicholas Schaffner sowie der Monografie über die Entstehung von The Dark Side Of The Moon von John Harris.

Stimolato dalle domande di un interlocutore che è anche un vecchio amico, Paul McCartney rievoca la sua vita e la grande avventura dei Beatles. Il libro può essere letto a livelli diversi: come il racconto di una folgorante carriera musicale, che ancora continua; come una storia dall'interno di un gruppo che è già leggenda; e come la rievocazione della folle "swinging London" degli anni Sessanta. Con la ricchezza dei suoi ricordi e delle sue impressioni, Paul McCartney si rivela un osservatore appassionato e tuttora il miglior storico dei Beatles.

Formidable plongée dans les riches heures de la culture underground.Londres. Fin de la deuxième guerre mondiale. Tout est à reconstruire. Et tout semble désormais possible. Dans les ruines encore fumantes laissées par le Blitz, écrivains excentriques, peintres bohêmes et artistes fêtards définissent alors les contours d’une avant-garde créative et libertaire, en pleine ébullition. Des premiers clubs du West End aux boutiques branchées de Carnaby Street, des Teddy Boys en cuir noir des fifties aux nouveaux romantiques des années 80, des premiers magazines de la Free Press aux fanzines punks, des light shows de Pink Floyd à l’UFO aux performances de Throbbing Gristle, Londres va s’imposer durant près de quarante ans comme la capitale d’une foisonnante et bruyante contre-culture.Ce livre de référence, extrêmement documenté, où l’on croise Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Colin McInnes, Ronnie Scott, Mary Quant, Syd Barrett, John Lennon, William Burroughs, David Hockney, Soft Machine, Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, David Cooper, Gilbert et George, les Sex Pistols, Clash, Michael Moorcock, J.G. Ballard ou Boy George, raconte cette folle aventure, et témoigne non seulement de l’immense énergie d’une époque, mais aussi de l’incroyable vitalité de son épicentre, Londres.

Die sechziger Jahre: Eine Generation bricht auf - raus aus der Welt dumpf-bürgerlicher Gediegenheit, raus auf die Straße, wo Jugendliche protestieren - gegen den Vietnamkrieg und für die freie Meinungsäußerung. Barry Miles' Buch erzählt die Geschichte Paul McCartneys und der Beatles, die in den fünfziger Jahren in Liverpool begann und mit der Auflösung der Superband Anfang der siebziger Jahre endete. Es ist die Geschichte von Freundschaft, Kränkung und Verbitterung, die Geschichte einer Musik, die das Lebensgefühl von Millionen von Menschen geprägt hat.

Kniha odkrývá formou exkluzivních rozhovorů s Paulem McCartneym méně známý pohled na tohoto člena legendární skupiny Beatles. Publikace nabízí detailní portrét Paula McCartneyho i dalších členů Beatles od jejich vzniku v roce 1960 po umělecký rozpad skupiny v roce 1970. Autor podává osobitý obraz událostí sestavený na základě získaných zpráv, novinových výstřižků, tištěných materiálů, filmů a zejména autentických rozhovorů s lidmi, kteří se před více než třiceti lety pohybovali na londýnské umělecké scéně a popisuje další osudy jednotlivých členů po rozpadu skupiny. Kniha přináší rovněž řadu zajímavých svědectví a vzpomínek. Publikaci doplňují černobílé fotografie, seznam skladeb a alb, bibliografie a jmenný rejstřík.

Materiál pro tuto knihu vychází z rozsáhlého souboru rozhovorů a výstřižků, které autor shromažďoval řadu let.

Pink Floyd se stali jednou z nejznámějších a nejvlivnějších hudebních skupin celého 20. století. Barry Miles v této knize nabízí jejich skutečný příběh, od začátku v Cambridge až do doby, kdy na londýnské hudební scéně dosáhli postavení kultovní kapely. Autor je na slovo vzatý odborník, neboť první článěk v tisku uveřejnil již roku 1966, kdy se kapela ještě jmenovala Pink Floyd Sound. Jednotlivé členy osobně znal a aktivně se podílel na jejich živých vysoupeních, takže mohl být svědkem rychlého vzestupu i pádu Syda Barretta.

Bez ohledu na to, kolik rockových a popových hudebníků se každoročně objeví, aby dostali ceny Grammy, British Awards a platinová alba, Beatles zůstávají standardem, podle kterého je úspěch poměřován. Tato kniha popisuje jejich působení na hudební scéně v letech 1960–1970, jejich koncertní turné a obrovský boom – jelikož žádná jiná skupina v historii nezaznamenala takový úspěch.

Představuje unikátní pohled na historii architekturya staveb skrze detailního skoumání jednotlivých prvků, jako jsou základy, zdi, střechy, schody a okna, které tvoří veřejné i soukromé budovy. Popisuje účel, design a praktickou aplikaci těchto dílčích částí a přehledně vysvětluje rozmanitý výraz každé části. Uvádí světově nejproslulejší budovy včetně mnohých ze seznamu Světového kulturního dědictví UNESCO. Zahrnuje více jak 500 barevných fotografií interiérových a exteriérových pohledů a detailů staveb.

Biografie amerického spisovatele, vrstevníka Kerouaca a Ginsberga, proložená ukázkami z jeho díla.

Spevák kapely Rolling Stones jeho vlastnými slovami - slovensky.