"The second title in the new Gale Critical Companion collection series focusing on important literary movements brings together the salient topics, representative works, and major writers of Beat literature. Volume one presents thematic chpaters covering the Beat scene. Volume two and three consist of introductory articles to the lives, works, themes, and critical receptions of 28 quintessential writers. Designed for high school and college students, this companion gains its value from assembled articles that highlight primary and secondary materials and reprinted criticism on important writers and works of this generation."--"The Top 20 Reference Titles of the Year," American Libraries, May 2004.