St. Marks Is Dead: The Many Lives of America's Hippest Street, (Paperback)

St. Marks Is Dead: The Many Lives of America's Hippest Street

AHighbrow / Brilliant.Fascinating&through exhaustive research and vivid storytelling, Calhoun recounts the happenings and personalities that dotted both the literal and metaphorical landscape of the iconic East Village Street.[E]ssential cultural history&St. Marks is always in its death throes, but Calhoun captures it as an important site of cultural production and transformation.A timely, provocative, and stylishly written book.What an entertaining and exhilarating read. Deeply researched and thought-provoking, this book is a joyride through the history of New York.A rich, gorgeously woven tapestry of capitalism, anarchy, riots, organized crime, literary feuds, con artists, hippies, hipsters, beatniks, deadbeats, punks, revolutionaries, drag queens, chaos, and thrilling, only-in-New York adventure. With a reporters eye for detail and a poets flair for language, Ada Calhoun has crafted a lush love letter to Americas most fascinating street.The New York Dolls, the Ramones, the Velvet Underground, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, and a million other bands (including mine) spent time on St. Marks Place. Ada Calhouns wonderful book tells punks story in a totally new and exciting way. Plus, it has more sex-per-page than any cultural history Ive ever read.As a teenager I skateboarded, wrote music, and drank malt liquor on St. Marks Place. After the early 80s, I thought the street was dead. But in this terrific book Ada Calhoun proves that every generation had its moment.I love this funny, sad, amazing book. St. Marks Place is the most interesting street in the world, because it doesnt try to be; its abnormal and impossible and ugly and sexy and annoying and inspiring. And the story was written by a St. Marks child, which is probably the only way it couldve been told.Ada Calhouns spellbinding book contains so much riveting history that was heretofore unknown to me, and her portrayal of the characters brings the history alive as vividly as an epic TV drama. For me,Roll up. Roll up for the St. Marks Place tour! Ada Calhoun will take you on a hilarious and poignant ride through the history of one of the worlds most storied streets. At once an archaeologist, detective, and charismatic tour guide, Ada unearths the hidden historical gems that give the street its richness and depth.US Calhoun, Ada ISBN: 9780393353303