Thanks for posting those links! I am a bit surprised that neither article mentioned the fact that his DESOLATION ANGELS included a chapter about the game - I guess that would have ruined the "secret aspect" the first author in particular seems to emphasize.

I also found the implication in the NYT article that Kerouac only got into this as a way to deal with tragedy more than a bit annoying, as if there HAS to be some disturbing reason for this hobby.

With all due respect to Jack Wood's work, how great would some Kerouac play-by-play script be in DMB?