Rating: 
Summary: The Patriot who couldn't take it any more
Review: It is amazing that it took George W. Bush and he new wave far right politics to completely crush The American Dream, a topic that this book is entirely based on, as Thompson takes off across the Nevada desert with his lawyer and a trunk full of drugs to cover a dirt bike race across the desert, but to instead do all the drugs, reporting on nothing, and ending up in various hotels across America waiting for that next shot of thorazine to bring them down. Within all the madness there is an American waiting to get out, an American who sees his America going down the swanny, the vietnam war, the 60s, how can these two worlds exist together?... only in Thompson's drug fueled world can he reasonably deal with that.
If you do not know, Hunter S. Thompson shot himself in Feb. 2005.
The godfather of gonzo believes America has suffered a "nationwide nervous breakdown" since 9/11, and as a result is compromising civil liberties for what he calls "the illusion of security." The compromise, he says, is "a disaster of unthinkable proportions" and "part of the downward spiral of dumbness" he believes is plaguing the country.
Thompson has long been an outspoken and vigorous champion of civil liberties, at least since a well-publicized 1990 case in which he was charged with sexual and physical assault and possession of illegal drugs -- charges that were ultimately dropped due to an illegal search and seizure (Thompson constantly used lawyers and only lawyers to remain free -- hint, get a good lawyer).
If you have been following his work then you can see that he has had enough of the way America is going. He is a 60s child gifted with the pen, living out his remaining days in a world that has changed so much it is not the America he grew up in.
The Far Right can be blamed for this loss, period. It is shame that the mentality of 'not having fags in the army because the soldiers dont want a homo watching them shooting up a village full of kids' dominates the scene at the moment. What a shame. What a great loss.
Rating:
Summary: trippin'
Review: It was an excellent source of the juice that fuelled that time and the genious humour of "gonzo" journalism that went along with it.
Rating:
Summary: A classic made even better!
Review: Literary gem "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" repackaged with a movie cover to go with the Terry Gilliam film. This book includes the original itself, with Ralph Steadman's accompanying gonzo art, and adds a few happy surprises. Jacket copy for the book by Thompson is included, alongside "Strange Rumblings in Aztlan" and the hysterical tale of Thompson and Steadman's first dizzying encounter, "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved". These stories are laugh-out-loud funny, and this slim volume is a great addition to any collection.
Rating:
Summary: The finest American novel!
Review: Many people dismiss Dr. Thompson's writings as drug induced rants. Saying that they have no meaning and no structure. These are the "swine" he speaks of in his books. Hunter S. Thompson brilliantly writes about what America really is. His writing is so much deeper than many people give it credit for. The book will change the way you see America...for the better. High schools all over the country should add this to their required reading list. A great american novel by a great american writer/journalist.
Rating:
Summary: This book made me get into reading; I picked it up because
Review: of the simple fact that it involved drug abuse and that was something that excited me very much at that time (that was sophomore year in high school, I'm a senior now) but I discovered the pure ferocity and scholarly humor this book contained, the good doctor created something that he himself has never been able to recreate, now don't get me wrong, I love his other books, I'm just saying that this one is his best book. It tells the tale of Raoul Duke, Hunter's alter ego and his lawyer Dr. Gonzo, who is based on Oscar Acosta and their adventures during a trip to Las Vegas to cover the Mint 400 race, it takes place around 1971, the year is very important because, well, do I actually have to say anything? Anyway, because of Hunter, I myself have chosen to undertake journalism as a career, it changed my life, why not try it, can't hurt, can it?
Rating: 
Summary: The Quintessential American Adventure of the 20th Century
Review: Staring down into the ominous face of insanity and the unknown, Raoul Duke's "buy the ticket, take the ride" adventure complicates many readers, and paralyzes few. Looking for savagery, hailing the adventure of a pure journey, the tale of a journalist and his lawyer friend on a mission to find the heart of the American adventure constitutes "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: and Other American Stories." Hunter Thompson's finest work, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," originally published in separate pieces within Rolling Stone Magazine refers to the tie-in edition with the Terry Gilliam masterpiece rendition. The savage drug frenzy rages on from page to page never slowing, and constantly flowing. The main thesis of this wild tale arises from Hunter Thompson's own alter ego, Raoul Duke. The constant ingestion of hallucinogenic drugs, the fine line between insanity or prison time, and in search of a good story on motor-cross cops at a drug convention, the writing seems fluid with ingenious idiom and hyperbole. The story nears completion as Raoul Duke's lawyer joins in on the action and uses his attained power and skills, turning Las Vegas upside down. Whether the anecdote proceeds to defile itself through Raoul Duke's lack of respect for authority by checking into a hotel under false name, beating up the rental car to the point of "totaled," the subsequent firestorm from interactions with hitchhikers and minors, and the general debauchery of theft, harassment, and lack of respect for authority is pure beauty. Only Hunter Thompson, only a certain individual, only one of God's own children. The collection presented by the Modern Library Editorial collective, also includes: Strange Rumblings in Aztlan and The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved, both presenting Thompson's savage and honest wit in very horrifying and terrible circumstances. Throughout the readings, Englishman Ralph Steadman provides his satirical and freakish genius to support Thompson's writing... Steadman was also heard to be some freak of nature himself. Thompson's experiences are seriously those of an outlaw, someone looking for trouble and then telling the story. Many journalists who are considered professional simply do not have the same established upbringing Thompson received as a young writer in Louisville. A criminal, a free spirit, a military background with special accolades for his writing... shape a unique individual to fit no certain mold, only to rely on his incomparable wit and forced prose. Thompson defined a generation of malcontents and idealistic individuals hell bent on the change of their world, while telling his own version of how he saw the story through his eyes.
Rating:
Summary: If you can remember the 60's you weren't there¿or you're HST
Review: Take me out and shoot me. I read the original in "Rolling Stone" and actually bought a FIRST EDITION hard cover copy from Straight Arrow Press. Where is it now? Ask my old girlfriend. She's the one who stole it, along with my poor old broken heart.
Thank God, Modern Library has seen fit to rerelease this classic tab of literary acid. It's just as funny, just as picaresque, and just plain as damned great as it always was. For pure pleasure, it was Thompson's finest hour. Sure, HELL'S ANGELS and CAMPAIGN TRAIL are wonderful, but I for one will never forget the thrill of that balls out ride across the desert in the big red shark. A pity everyone's favorite Samoan lawyer is not around to share in the memories and the celebration-ah, well, at least I still have my 1st ed. of THE COCKROACH PEOPLE to raise in his honor.
And speaking of honor, Ralph Steadmen's edgy illustrations still vibrate sharply almost three decades later. A master at the height of his game. What a trio! What a book! Where's my ether?
Rating:
Summary: The man is a GENIUS
Review: Ten stars would have been better. HST is a genius. Period. He is what makes the wild west the great place it is. His writings this book included are the Politically INcorrect brilliant thinking that we need more of. Yes he drinks Wild Turkey and shoots guns (even indoors) but it is his fearless honesty in calling it like it is that is a national treasure. His take on Nixon, Clinton and life in general makes him a man who marches to a different and honest drummer. If you get nothing else out of this book I hope you at least get some gutts to speak the truth and be more Libertarian minded. Hunter S Thompson is the BEST damn writer around.And the fact he played a major role in challenging the establishment and shouting "The Emperor has no clothes" when Nixon was degrading the office of the Presidency and lying to us speaks volumes. The fact he sees Clinton as ranking with U S Grant and other ex-Presidents few remember should tell you that not everyone thinks the Clintons have done much for the country. Except keep the PC crowd at the NYTimes in business.
Rating:
Summary: and it has the best first line in modern literature
Review: The first time I read this book, I was shocked. The second time I read it, I laughed myself into convulsions. If you like the Marx Brothers, or drugs, you'll like this book.
Rating:
Summary: It was a savage time no computers no real control.
Review: The time is right for a movie of such venture,The book is like a bible for some for others it is a way to keep up with what is going on today and yesterday.I love the good Dr. more should be like him,God bless Hunter S. Thompson.All that he has written is as good as gold.
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