Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Other American Stories (Modern Library)

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream" by Hunter S. Thompson Hunter Thompson practiced total immersion journalism. This form of reporting is called gonzo journalism. Hunter Thompson drove to Las Vegas to report on a motorcycle race and ended up writing a story about himself writing a story about a motorcycle race. If he would have written a conventional report on motorcycle racing it would have been interesting to motorcycle enthusiasts for a few days. Since he wrote a gonzo story he had a very wide canvas and he used it well to create a classic. The reader might be turned off by the obstreperous behavior, extreme self indulgence and offensive inconsiderate language. If you can look past this offensive conduct and you will see that Hunter Thompson gave us an insight into the American character of the 1970's. See also: Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library) I completely enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

Anyone who has not read Hunter S. Thompson, owes it to him or herself to read at least one of his efforts. This is the perfect starting point. Often described, alternately, as a drug crazed lunatic, a brilliant writer, a humorist, a political commentator, and a popular historian; none of those titles really does justice to him as a person or his body of work. Hunter was a visionary, while associated with the counterculture of the 1960's and 70's, he is more closely related to the beat movement of the 1950's. His desire was to capture life in action, with a blend of prose and newscopy. To try to explain Fear and Loathing is impossible, its simply not about a trip to Las Vegas. Its about the American Dream, something Hunter stringly believed in, and his attempt to experience it hanging on by his fungernails. As he would say, buy the ticket... take the ride.

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.

When someone mentions Hunter S. Thompson, the almost immediate reponse is "Oh, yeh - the Fear and Loathing guy." To review that piece in 1998 is perhaps too little too late, but a glance at this volume, which matches the original with "Jacket Copy" and "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved," is in order because of its complete vision of Thompson's style and purpose. What "Fear and Loathing" delivers is what was promised by "Kentucky Derby," and what it fails to tell you is what is filled-in by "Jacket Copy." For those interested in reading "Fear and Loathing," today, this package will give perspective on the times and reinforce the power of the original work.