Rating: 
Summary: An Expansion of Consciousness
Review:
In the errant, glowing review for the New York Times when it was first published, On The Road garnered comparisons with The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway, and with good reason -- it chronicled a "lost generation" eager to grasp at life (WWI for Hemingway's book, WWII for Kerouac's book) and expressed it in a whole new fresh way. Both books are quite lively, full of explosive description and off-the-cuff dialogue that renders the experience in a quasi-documentary-style way: that is, both books PUT YOU THERE, in the moment.
While Hemingway went on to spectacular success, embraced by Academia (but not always by the critics), Kerouac's trajectory was a lot darker. Critics (even the New York Times published a "retraction" of that initial glowing review one week later and now referred to him as a "Neanderthal with a typewriter") and Academics went out of their way to bash his spontaneously bop prosody style. No matter. Although it was shame that Kerouac (as most artists) needed to be crucified in the media, his books, his accomplishments remain. And this book, On The Road, certainly stands as one of his greatest achievements, being an expression of a cry for freedom and nonconformity -- as well as a reinvention of literary style. Possibly this would've be published as "memoir" if it appeared today. Regardless, Kerouac is a jazz poet of the highest order, his spontaneity and agility of style famously influenced by the freewheeling freedom of jazz. The descriptive passages in this book of jazz music, alone, are worth the price of this book. ( See that passage of Sal and Dean discussing the ephemeral "it," and you'll have some idea.) Even the structure of the novel is original. What can I say, this is a unique and marvelous reading experience, an explosion and heart and vigor and youth -- one experience that should not be missed! Two other quick recommendations are the Subterraneans by Kerouac and The Losers Club by Richard Perez. Enjoy these books and taste life!
Rating:
Summary: An Exciting, Breathless, Attempt to "Seize the Day!"
Review:
Jack Kerouac wrote this novel about several escapades he took across the country in the late 1940's. He used characters from his real life, such as Allen Ginsburg the poet and author; and Neal Cassidy, Kerouac's idol, and changed their names to use in the story.
In "On The Road", Sal Paradise(Kerouac), a young writer from New York City, ventures to cities around the country, staying with old friends, making new friends, and doing everything he can to stay alive and move on. His mentor and friend, Dean Moriarty(Neal Cassidy), often travels with Sal, always talking, laughing, and being his insane self. Now let's stop and take a brief look at the fascinating life of Dean Moriarty: Throughout the story, Dean plays several different women, has 3 wives and 4 children, half of whom he can't account for ever meeting. He was born in Salt Lake City, and grew up going to reform schools and jail. Dean was an infamous hustler in Texas and Denver who was always stealing cars and money, but never for more then $10 or just when he needed a quick ride. He was insane, always laughing and having a great time, and always getting the most he could out of life. Sal and Dean experienced some great high's and low's of travelling together, seeing such cities as Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Mexico City. Throughout the book you get to know the fascinating personalities of Sal, Dean, and several other characters.
Just as important as the story and the characters is the STYLE in which the book is written; it's this style, which gives the book its vibrant, breathless, spontaneous intensity. And, yes, this is where the book really earns its legendary status, because few other books are able to convey the exhilaration and excitement and fun of a mad attempt to "seize the day." On The Road is truly a life-affirming, free-wheeling experience. Along with On The Road, I'd also like to recommend The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, a strange little beat-influenced romance and, weirdly, the second best book I read so far this year.
Rating: 
Summary: Important, but not a classic
Review: "On the Road" has and always will have a great appeal to young white American males, all of whom would love to be Dean Moriarity. Persons who don't fall into that rather narrow definition will be less enamored by it. As a young white male, I loved it, but the book's veneer fades with age, and as a 33-year-old I find much more meaning and literary value in the works of people like Steinbeck. "On the Road," unlike true classics, is very much wedded to its time and place, late 1940s/early '50s America. Kerouac is an odd man out, having been college educated, serving in the military, but not content with a life in the suburbs and a 9 to 5. His and all the male characters' views on women are horribly dated, very reflective of the time. Kerouac has trouble finding or developing interesting female characters, which is a major flaw in this book since Carolyn Cassidy was probably more intelligent than all of his intellectual but sexist or gay drinking buddies. In fact, I highly recommend that anyone reading this book also read Carolyn's memoir "Off the Road" to get a fuller perspective and leveling of the events described in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Unique classic novel of 20th Century American fiction.
Review: As a junior in college, I was hesitant to read a Kerouac novel because of the negative connentations associated with the "Beats". While contemplating reading "On the Road", a friend nakedly asked me, "isn't that book about drugs?" My reply "I don't think so", couldn't mask my nervousness about the content of "On the Road". Was I about to read another dated novel about a scene whose time has passed? Well let me assure the quisical reader that this novel is the complete opposite of tired and dated. Kerouac is an amazing, inventive, and charismatic writer who entertains with every word. I assure you this novel is as entertaining as advertised. The plot revolves around the adventures of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarity(thinly veiled altered egos of Kerouac and Neal Cassidy) as they cross the country in search of an illusive yet ever present freedom. Enjoyable scenes1. Paradise's first trip from the East Coast to the West Coast. The descriptions are joyously vivid and intensely enjoyable. Wow! 2. Kerouac's descriptions of a jazz show in San Francisco. His enthusiasm for jazz is well-documented but this scene conveys the love for jazz like no other author has done before or after. Enjoy this novel with an open mind and a love for powerful writing.
Rating:
Summary: The american dream on a shoe string budget....
Review: Being known as one of the most influential books of the century my expectations for Jack Keurouacs On the Road were quite high, and I was not disappointed. Lamen words on book review sites and word of mouth cannot express the experience of reading On the Road, it truly must be read for one to understand its power. On the Road is a brilliant comment on contemporary life and the American dream. Questioning the fulfillment of life in America, On the Road is a story about Sal, loosely based on Keurouac, who sets across the country numerous times with nothing more than a shoe string budget and his buddy Dean to his side, loosely based on Cassady. Loud, chaotic and free loving the two set out hitchhiking the country including such stops as Chicago, San Francisco and New Mexico, The two beautiful characters love life and express it with their every action. The insouciant Dean especially has a burning desire to experience life hustling, stealing and rocking america. Dean is the envisionment of what every young American male dreams he could be.Keurouac's beautifully crafted writing style is the basis for this great story. Poetic and a natural flow. The writing style appears to almost be automatic writing or rambling but when studied closely it is easy to explore the genius of jacks writing. The book is layered with symbols images and motifs, and in order to get the most out of this book I would suggest reading it a few more times(I know I will). Jacks style of writing fluctuates between extremely clear detail and vague, almost random progression to other topics which creates a duality in the writing. I believe this duality allows the readers mind to bridge the gaps.
On the road makes you think. Filled with beautiful imagery this book is passion in text. One of the most beautiful images in the book are the landscapes which jack illustrates. Keurouac uses each character Dean and Sal meet to strengthen the images of the landscapes.
Jack presents the story real, and in an informal composition. After reading this book I am intrigued by the world, and I appreciate its existence. This book makes you love life, it is extremely entertaining, uplifting, optimistic, and intellectually and poetically full of analyzation. Jack Keurouac approaches life in a very strange, yet free way and on the road gives us an almost first hand experience of it. On the Road is extremely inspirational, and will make almost anybody want to grab a few bucks and experience the world.
Rating:
Summary: O Strange American Night!
Review: I finally sat down and read this book I have heard about for so many years. What a masterpiece. Kerouac writes about a series of cross-country trips he takes from 1947 to 1950 (including one that takes them down into Central America) with a merry band of people he knows from his native New York, who are either traveling with him or with whom he plans to meet up.
The methods of travel (one where they have to deliver a Cadillac to its owner in Chicago and manage to mess it up en route), the people they pick up and the places they go are inspiring and entertaining. The writing has a cadance that inspired the "beat" generation. O strange American night!
I love that they routinely return to New York, which Kerouac dubs "America's final city". Chronologically and historically it was among the first founded but that is not the finality of which Kerouac speaks. Great book, worth more than one read.
Rating: 
Summary: I've got to agree with a few of the reviewers....
Review: I just dont see what the big deal about this one is. It is incredibly boring. I wanted to like it too. I tried to like it. But a "lets hitch-hike around the U.S., get drunk, etc." book just didnt end up doing it for me. And thats all this book really is. Back and forth across the U.S., same parties and stories over and over. I forced myself to get 2/3's of the way through before I gave up. There was nothing new in this book even when it was first published. Everyone knew about lovable losers and drifters and had for decades before this book was written. If you want a real counter culture page turner; there is only one -- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Now there is a real book. If you are intent on reading both, make sure you read On the Road first, or you will REALLY be disappointed after reading Fear and Loathing.
Rating:
Summary: Did I miss something?
Review: I must be a minority concerning this book. It was recommended by numberous people to me and so I took a chance and checked it out.
Let me just say honestly that this book was about as good as "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway, which is the most boring, pointless book I have ever read. But I never finished "On the Road," because it was so bad I couldn't make myself. I got to 100 pages and I just had to quit, which says a lot about the book when you see I was almost halfway finished with it.
Maybe I missed something, but nothing ever happens. Sal Paradise goes hitchhiking. And he goes to parties, and gets drunk, and hangs out with his friend Dean. Whoop-dee-doo. I guess this book is well loved for showing how to live free or something, but all I saw was living pointlessly, something that shouldn't be bound in book form and trumpeted by psuedo-intellectuals worldwide.
The only way this book will ever do any good for you is if you carry it around with you and pretend to read it in coffee shops. All of a sudden everyone will like you and want to be your best friend. Good luck with that.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting read, with historical context
Review: I tried reading this book tens years ago, and found the first chapter "boring" and put it down. Now, trying again to read what many claim is a classic of literature, I'm glad I gave it a second try. Describing the book is a little like describing a Seinfeld episode. A bunch of guys drive around, drink a lot, chase women, listen to jazz, and basically ignore what most people do in life to learn what life is all about. But the restlessness of Dean Moriarity to find himself, and his long lost father, and the writer protagonist Sal to discover what exactly he sees in Dean is what drew me in. You can't help but feel the joy of discovery the characters go through. Interestingly enought, there are are enough hints from Kerouac to suggest that just maybe, all the "revelations" aren't as cracked up as they seem to be. It is interesting to view this is a historical context. In the 50's, the free wheeling life styles would have been shocking. In the 60's no doubt people would read this and say "Right on, man!". Today, Dean Moriarity comes across as genuine, if misguided. We're not so outraged at what he does, so much as the irresponsibility of it, which many of the book's characters seem to get by the end. Even Sal realizes this by the end of the book. Many people call this a great book about finding yourself, but I don't think it is that. It is more about two characters trying to find truths on the open road, who are not entirely successful. In addition to that, the book genuinely changed more than one generation. For that reason alone, I recommend reading it.
Rating:
Summary: An Exciting, Breathless, Attempt to "Seize the Day!"
Review: Jack Kerouac wrote this novel about several escapades he took across the country in the late 1940's. He used characters from his real life, such as Allen Ginsburg the poet and author; and Neal Cassidy, Kerouac's idol, and changed their names to use in the story. In "On The Road", Sal Paradise(Kerouac), a young writer from New York City, ventures to cities around the country, staying with old friends, making new friends, and doing everything he can to stay alive and move on. His mentor and friend, Dean Moriarty(Neal Cassidy), often travels with Sal, always talking, laughing, and being his insane self. Now let's stop and take a brief look at the fascinating life of Dean Moriarty: Throughout the story, Dean plays several different women, has 3 wives and 4 children, half of whom he can't account for ever meeting. He was born in Salt Lake City, and grew up going to reform schools and jail. Dean was an infamous hustler in Texas and Denver who was always stealing cars and money, but never for more then $10 or just when he needed a quick ride. He was insane, always laughing and having a great time, and always getting the most he could out of life. Sal and Dean experienced some great high's and low's of travelling together, seeing such cities as Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Mexico City. Throughout the book you get to know the fascinating personalities of Sal, Dean, and several other characters. Just as important as the story and the characters is the STYLE in which the book is written; it's this style, which gives the book its vibrant, breathless, spontaneous intensity. And, yes, this is where the book really earns its legendary status, because few other books are able to convey the exhilaration and excitement and fun of a mad attempt to "seize the day." On The Road is truly a life-affirming, free-wheeling experience. Along with On The Road, I'd also like to recommend The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, a strange little beat-influenced romance and, weirdly, the second best book I read so far this year.
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