Organ Grinder: A Classical Education Gone Astray

Organ Grinder is a book-length essay written by Alan Fishbone, a motorcycle-riding scholar of ancient Greek and Latin. In a series of short pieces inspired by Horatian satire, Fishbone bounces from gonzo fever-dream to philosophical treatise, investigating the conflicts between idealism and cynicism, love and sex, body and soul. One part Plato, one part Aristophanes, two parts Easy Rider, Organ Grinder is a heady cocktail of lewd wisdom—Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for our own, irreverent age.

“Fishbone’s mental mazes, irrepressibly personal, sexed-up, funny, philosophical, and unconventionally spiritual, make for thought-provoking, entertaining reading.” ―Annie Bostrom, Booklist

“A slim book that will resonate with the reader’s inner biker/philosopher” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Alan Fishbone rides his winged chariot across the sky, and he’s not afraid to take a sudden turn or even go face-first over the handlebars. The Lemmy Kilmister of classical studies, a combination I heretofore didn’t think was possible.” – Al Burian, author of Burn Collector