"Reconstructing the Beat Generation" is a collection of essays that collectively seek to re-vision the Beats from contemporary critical, theoretical, historical, and interdisciplinary perspectives; to reassess their place in mid-century American history and literature, as well as their broad cultural impact since the 1960s; to connect the literature of the Beat movement to the arts of music, painting, and film; to pay attention to less well known figures, including women and African Americans, and thus to expand the restricted canon of three to six major figures established in 1956-70; and to critique media stereotypes and popular cliches that influence both academic and popular discourse about the Beats. Overall, this collection aims to provide the scholarly reassessment that should set new directions for criticism and classroom discussion at the beginning of the 21st century.