For too long, criticism of the Beat Generation has focused on the biographical exploits of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs. This Companion changes that by placing the Beats in their historical, cultural, and literary contexts. Contributors focus on key concerns of Beat writing, including race, gender, sexuality, religion, and transnational circulation.

This Companion offers an in-depth overview of the Beat era, one of the most popular literary periods in America.