The 'flagship' of alternative culture, closely linked with the 1950s Beat Generation and the radicals of the 1960s - originally the first American bookshop selling only paperback publications (the store does carry a selection of hard-cover first editions today), City Lights still boasts a collection of first-rate poetry books and publications by small specialty publishing houses. The atmosphere here is an inimitable cocktail of sophisticated, anarchy and intimacy - a must-visit for anyone who is keen to experience the unique feel of San Francisco underground. City Lights, 'a literary meetingplace since 1953', is also a publishing house; since the first series of pocket-size poetry books (Pocket Poets), its main objective is promoting freedom of speech and opposing censorship and conservatism of any description. According to the poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the founder and co-owner of City Lights, "it is as if the public were being invited [..] to participate in that 'great conversation' between authors of all ages, ancient and modern."
ENG LAT