Books

First Edition, First Printing, First State A superior copy of this title. A Fine/near fine book in a Fine/near fine first state dust jacket. The book is in crisp near fine condition with black cloth boards. The book is clean with very sharp corners and no edgewear. Strong vibrant red top stain with the balance of the outer page block being bright without age toning. The binding is tight and square. The end papers are clean with no owner names, no inscriptions, and no book plates. The internal pages are clean, crisp, bright and flat with No marks, No writing, No stains, No smudges, No inscriptions, No bent pages and No foxing. Beautiful clean book internally appearing as unread. The original stunning first edition, first state dust jacket has benefited from very slight restoration by an expert paper conservator and as such and presents as a fine/near fine example. The jacket has strong vibrant colors with NONE of the common fading to the spine. The dust jacket has no edgewear, no rips, no chips, no tears, no rubbing, no stains, and no foxing. The rear panel is unusually bright and without the more commonly found staining. The jacket is NOT price clipped and has a stated price $3.95. The jacket is now protected in a new clear removable archival cover. Please see detailed images. A stunning, handsome example of this title in beautiful clean, crisp collectible condition. There are only a handful of really top-of-mind modern fiction titles, with this one arguably among the top three. Scarce in this condition. Presents extremely well on the shelf. **Accompanied by an original "New York Herald" Book Review newspaper clip dated from 1957 (please see images) ADDITIONAL IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Please see our ABE store for other landmark titles.

Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road" is an emblematic portrait of the Beat Generation, capturing the yearning for freedom and authenticity against postwar American conformity. This semi-autobiographical work, based on the adventures of Kerouac and his friends across America, is often seen as a defining work of the countercultural movements of the 1950s and 60s. It chronicles the cross-country voyages of Sal Paradise, Kerouac’s alter ego, and Dean Moriarty, a free-spirited, charismatic rebel. "On the Road" is structured around several trips made by Sal and Dean, describing their escapades as they travel back and forth across the country. These journeys are less about the destinations and more about the experiences they gather, the people they meet, and the quest for meaning in a society perceived as rigid and materialistic. The narrative style of the book, known for its spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness prose, mirrors the tumultuous, impulsive lives of its characters. The novel not only explores physical journeys but also personal and spiritual ones. Dean's frenetic energy and Sal’s introspective nature contrast sharply, yet both characters are united in their disdain for conventional values. They indulge in jazz, poetry, and drug use—exploring alternative forms of consciousness and relationships.