Charles Bukowski appears as a shadowy mentor to a failed poet and loser in the restored version of this novel. Strangely, this is a very funny, soulful, even romantic book -- full of guts.

I love the letters to Ginsberg in which he discusses different methods of writing, even various narcotics to help him write.

Paul Auster talks about his days of struggle as a writer. He even mentions being a ghost writer for Jerzy Kosinski.

This book will inflame your passion for books! The first Henry Miller book I ever read. I love this one!

The first and most electric of Miller's books. You'll want to read this book many times over. The vulnerability of the writer's life. Slave to poverty.

Powerful shorter pieces include: The Angel is my Watermark! -- about the creative process. Wonderful!

Hemingway's early days in Paris as he struggles to be a writer. Evokes powerful longing.

This is a great non-fiction book by Joseph Mitchell about Joe Gould, resident bum in Greenwich Village and would-be author of a mythic novel.

A realistic portrait of Bukowski as wage slave for the US Post Office. 12 Years of Buk's life wasted. This may be his best book. It asks: do YOU what to spend the rest of your life in a cage?

Bukowski survives his childhood determined to always tell the hardcore truth.

Hunter S Thompson's early letters spanning high school graduation in 1955 through the triumph of his first book, Hell's Angels, in 1966. Very cool.

By now we all know the sad story of John Kennedy Toole, author of A Confederacy of Dunces -- who commited suicide in despair over not being published. Publishers = spineless bastards!

Actually, the only useful book on novel writing -- written by Lawrence Block. Mentions he also wrote dirty books in the beginning of his career. Rock on.