He had a rough childhood, caught between his father's blue-collar expectations and his own profound interest in art and adventure. It was an early sign of my genius that the school could teach me nothing. It wasn't long before Le Clair let slip the surly bonds of childhood to set out on a journey that has continued ever since. As a young man, he helped run a jazz club in New York City for a time, until police forced Le Clair and his collaborators out. Among the best stories in this book is the author's account of disposing of the club's piano.
Legendary names pop up on a regular basis in the author's narrative.
From William Morris to Allen Ginsberg to Shel Silverstein, Le Clair encountered most of the big names of the counterculture. He hung out with Andy Warhol, lived with Wavy Gravy, and helped block New York traffic by planting a tree in the middle of the street with Abbie Hoffman. Throughout this sprawling narrative, Le Clair demonstrates all the strengths and weaknesses of his era. Raw and vivid, this book offers an absorbing account of a life lived outside the high walls of convention. Spirits lightened by Le Clair's compelling autobiography, his readers may feel their own bonds loosen.