Books

First printing, first edition of the text with what appears to be a first printing DJ as well. Hardcover with dust jacket (DJ). Overall, book is in excellent condition with a DJ with wear: DJ condition is G, book condition is VG. DJ has moderate-heavy wear, but is holding together well with no sections separating or close to ripping off: DJ has some deeper surface scratches on front-bottom, lighter surface scuffing and scratching elsewhere on DJ; DJ dark ink fadding in spots due to scuffing (e.g., along center of spine); DJ has small rips and chips on corners; small rips, chips and creases along edges of DJ; small bits of DJ ripped off on top/bottom of spine; ~1 inch rip on back corner of bottom of spine of DJ; light parts of DJ toning; chip on edge of back flap of DJ; damp stain on center of spine of DJ visible from inside of DJ. Hardcover board bottom corners bumped and curling inwards; fabric on boards fraying/ripping at corners; light bumping on edges; rubbing on fabric on bottom edge; one notable ding on top edges near corner; fabric beginning to fray at board edges near spine. Spine has a slight forward lean to it. Superficial damp staining on top of text block near spine, and a lighter superficial damp stain on fore edge of text block. Hinges in great shape - feel the tiniest bit of give if you pull on them with force, but very minor. Binding tight. Pages lightly toned around edges. Small dot blemish on the title pages. Some minor warping of bottom corners of pages in front of text block. Pages appear clean and clear of writing, markings, highlighting, or notable damage or staining.

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.