Goof Book

Poetry. Written in 1961, Whalen said of GOOFBOOK: "A book for Jack, saying whatever I want to say, whatever I feel like saying". A lost masterpiece--letter, poem, book--by the great beat Zen poet Philip Whalen documenting the intimate friendship between Whalen and Jack Kerouac. From the Editor's Note: "Michael: I am getting ready to publish GOOFBOOK. Is there anything you want me to add or say?" "Philip: This is a private letter that fell into the wrong hands. It should never be published. But if you have to do it then that's that." "Michael: I hate to think of myself as the wrong hands." "Philip: I was speaking metaphysically." Cover photo: Philip Whalen and Jack Kerouac (back cover) by Walter Lehrman. Edited by Michael Rothenberg.