Really 2.5 stars, from me. I certainly see the appeal of this book-- It contains vivid scenes of Americana, and it gives readers fantasies of wild road trips. However, aside from the scenery, I hate everything else about this book. Dean Moriarty is probably one of the most annoying characters in literary history, aside from being completely psychotic. The book captures the vacuous and contemptuous feelings of the generation after WWII, but only because Sal Paradise is so easily emotionally manipulated and dependent on Dean. Apart from that, you can definitely tell that the book was written in one sitting, and subsequently heavily edited. Certainly not a book I would recommend if you want a good or cohesive story line.