A fascinating anthology of the life, times, and writings of 40 women from the Beat era, this volume includes a bibliography for each woman, anecdotal information, rare archival photographs. Featuring illuminating commentary by Anne Waldman and Allen Ginsberg, this book mines an important but often overlooked motherlode of talent and sheds light on some of the best minds of the Beat generation. 15 photos.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 344-351) and index.

Foreword / Anne Waldman Sisters, Saints and Sibyls: Women and the Beat The Precursors Helen Adam: Bardic Matriarch Jane Bowles: A Life at the End of the World Ilse Klapper Madeline Gleason: True Born Poet Josephine Miles: Mentor to a Revolution The Muses Joan Vollmer Adams Burroughs: Calypso Stranded Vickie Russell Helen Hinkle Carolyn Cassady: Karmic Grace LuAnne Henderson Anne Murphy Edie Parker Kerouac: First Mate Stella Sampas Joan Haverty Kerouac: Nobody's Wife Gabrielle "Memere" Kerouac Eileen Kaufman: Keeper of the Flame The Writers Mary Fabilli: Farmer's Daughter Diane di Prima: Poet Priestess

Barbara Guest Elise Cowen: Beat Alice Joyce Johnson: A True Good Heart Hettie Jones: Mother Jones Billie Holiday Joanne Kyger: Dharma Sister Denise Levertov: Fortune's Favorite Joanna McClure: West Coast Villager Janine Pommy Vega: Lyric Adventurer Elsie John Ruth Weiss: The Survivor Aya Tarlow Mary Norbert Korte: Redwood Mama Activist Brenda Frazer: Transformed Genius Lenore Kandel: Word Alchemist Anne Waldman: Fast Speaking Woman Jan Kerouac: The Next Generation Natalie Jackson The Artists Jay DeFeo: The Rose Joan Brown: Painter and Prodigy Gui de Angulo. Worthy Beat Women: Recollection / Ted Joans Afterword / Ann Charters.