The beats are downstream so much of American cultural attitudes today--arguably all of the "subculture."

Dharma Bums was a treat for me in my senior year. It (and I reckon On The Road) inspired me to leave for university with nothing but a ruck sack, only to return four years later with nothing besides. I'm glad to reread this passage this am.

Absolutely tragic Kerouac drank himself to death. I would have loved to see him mature more in his writing.