Rating: 
Summary: An American Classic...Well Worth the Hype
Review: I came to this book after a long spell of just wishing the whole Kerouac "thing" would go away. The Gap Khakis ad featuring Kerouac, Burroughs, and Ginsberg only added to my cynicism. I read a chapter or two of "Dharma Bums" while visiting friends, and was enthralled by the freshness of the language, the vitality of the feelings which lept from the pages. Upon returning home decided to go straight to the source of the Beat wellspring, "On the Road." It was well worth the wait. I don't know quite what I expected of this book, but it just took my head off! The spirit of the times, which seems so relevant even today, is intoxicatingly represented in Kerouac's prose. It truly is a work of genius, but it doesn't read like one--it's enjoyable on myriad levels. If you've had your doubts about getting this book, put them aside now!
Rating:
Summary: One Amazing Novel
Review: I read this book not knowing much about the world, and not have traveled frquently. The understanding of human nature and society in general that is expressed in this book through the various personalities of the characters was amazing. This boox was excellent, and it opened my eyes up to the world, and the many different ways of thinking that hed never been shown to me before. It inspired in me a wonder about the world, and the need to explore not only the country, but myself. I would recommend this book to anyone unsure of where they stand in life, and anyone who wants to be really entertained for a few hours.
Rating: 
Summary: Unreadable
Review: I defy anybody to get past page three of this book. What a colossal BORE. This incessant, ranting travelogue is not entertaining. Dharma Bums is the book to get. John Clellon Holms' GO is far superior, daddy-o.
Rating:
Summary: The Kerouac bible.
Review: To fully understand the writers of any type of literature you need to get in ther head and see all that they see. Kerouac lets you do this in On The Road. An excellent book about a "cool' topic.
Rating:
Summary: Drunk on life.
Review: I first picked up On the Road by the recommendation of a friend, he simply stated it was the greatest single piece of literature that he had ever read. He also warned me that On the Road would change my life, it did. While reading this book it is important to note that Kerouac wrote On the Road in three weeks of fervered typing and most of the book is the first draft, straight from Kerouac's mind to paper. The book is very slow going at first, but quickly becomes addictive and almost impossible to put down, I'm currently reading it for the third time. The best part of the book (IMHO) involves Sal and Dean's trip to mexico, Kerouac's words paint a beautiful image of this already mysterious country. Overall, this is one of Kerouac's greatest works and serves as a great introduction to rest of the Beats.
Rating: 
Summary: a hippy bible whose time had come, than gone
Review: a seminal book when it came out, would probably be ignored if released today. kerouac sold out for big money and than drank himself into a very early grave. a better existentialist than a writer, his book had no structure, but that was absolutely the point. most of his experiences while 'on the road' were pretty boring, a desperate attempt to find excitement where there really wasn't any.
Rating:
Summary: Racing across pre interstate America
Review: I read this book on the train and anyone else who reads it should also consider being in motion while doing so. There are countless quotes from this book, but here's one of my favorites: "Not two miles out of Denver the speedometer broke because Dean was pushing well over 110 miles an hour. "Well, no speedometer, I won't know how fast I'm going. I'll just ball that jack to Chicago and tell by time.""This book starts moving from the first few pages and never stops. Sal and Dean's journies provide a glimpse of pre interstate America before everything was a fast food and gas & shop. Not only is it fast, but funny. I haven't laughed this much while reading for a long time. One last quote: "Is he your brother?" the boys asked from the back seat. "He's a devil with a car, isn't he?-and according to his story he must be with the woman." "He's mad," I said, "and yes he's my brother."
Rating:
Summary: 3 weeks to write, 1 day to read
Review: I picked "On the Road" a few weeks after returning from my first trip out west, not knowing what to expect from a book that wasn't required by English class. At first, I had no idea why I was actually reading it. Probably because the Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue gushed about it so much in its fall issue. At any rate, I figured it would be a good way to burn some time in late August bfore school started up. I've always dreamed about a huge after graduation road trip, but once I let the spirit of spontaneity and freedom that flows from "On the Road" take me, I realized that life wasn't waiting for me, or anybody else. Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, screaming across the midwest in a borrowed Cadilac, or on the back of a flatbed, or in a dive that probably won't last the day: that's what life's about. The book rambles on and on, not unlike the roads it wanders, but through it all, Kerouac never loses sight of us, the readers. Its said that he worte it in 3 weeks, without ever leaving the typewriter. It took me less than a whole day to read this (and I'm no big reader), which speaks to the nicotine like addictivity this book can inspire. "On the Road" takes patience and an open mind, but provides a faithful representation of a life most people find intriguing, if not perfect.
Rating:
Summary: a true perspective changer
Review: Simply put, this book was the best-worst novel I could have possibly read before I went to college. I wanted to hop into a car and just go. A marvelous work of literature, comparable to Hesse and Salinger. The man practiced what he preached, in a fashion similar to Hemingway. The sentences are deceptively curt, easy to read at first but at second and third glance truly mesmorizing. Enter with caution when undertaking a man and his work as deep as Kerouac. His prose is just long poetry, even the name "Jack Kerouac" has a romantic-rhythmic style. The book is a must in every personal library.
Rating:
Summary: Something to think about
Review: I read this book a few weeks ago, and wished it was on my list twenty years ago. So many things in this treasure of a book struck a cord: Cruising across the west on exhuberant road trips (done that), looking for "where it's at" (still wondering where it is). Yes, at times the fellows seem pathetic and misdirected, but who wants spoon-fed happy endings? Dean Moriarty is one of the most amazing characters I have ever come across- how much of him is fiction? Was Neal really so bizarre? I can't remember a book I've read that has jogged so many memories and made me think more about my place in the US. Definitely a great American novel, and also a universal novel for wandering souls everywhere.
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