Library Journal Review

Few Americans can hope to live a life as vibrant as Ginsberg's over a course of six decades. It's a natural--albeit often restrictive--human trait to want to classify individuals into one category or another, but that process would be almost impossible with Ginsberg. Is he primarily an avant-garde poet? Political activist? Human rights campaigner? Social reformer? Aronson's extensive documentary melds all those facets of Ginsberg's life into what might well be the definitive media study of one of America's most intriguing personalities. The main portion of the two-disc set is the remastered and updated director's cut of the documentary of Ginsberg's life originally produced in 1994. This title is worthy of purchase for this segment alone, which includes a wide variety of materials, e.g., home movies and clips of Ginsberg's televised interviews with both William F. Buckley and Dick Cavett. Viewers follow the forces that shape Ginsberg into the visionary reformer and controversial creator he became. Additionally, Aronson has included an extensive collection of extras, for example, interviews with almost 30 public figures (ranging from psychologist Timothy Leary to actor Johnny Depp) who share comments on Ginsberg's effect on their particular craft. Ginsberg's colorful life deserves this monument by the Academy Award-nominated Aronson. Highly recommended for all libraries. [See www.thelifeandtimesofallenginsberg.com.]--Dwain Thomas, Lake Park H.S., Roselle, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.