Generation of Swine: Gonzo Papers, Volume 2: Tales of Shame and Degredation in the '80s

This is another in a series of collections of Hunter's columns. The other compilations are: The Great Shark Hunt (Gonzo Papers Vol. 1) about the 70's, mostly post Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, Better than Sex (Volumen 3) about the 90's, and his final release before his untimely death, Hey Rube (about the early 00's). I should mention here that I'm only in my 20's, and the first administration I ever really paid attention to was the second Clinton term. Reading this book and the other Gonzo Papers books, along with Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, gives you a perspective on the past 30 years that is hard to find elsewhere in this context. Since these columns were written as critiques on current events, you get a feel for what was going on in the 70's, late 80's and early 90's. You find that for everything that has changed over the past 30 years, that politics is quite static. Corrupt presidents, sex-scandal plagued politicians, and more. There's not too much to dislike about this book, assuming you enjoy Hunter's writing style. And it is valuable to those who can't get enough of Hunter's style.

I read this book when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, it helps if you are a political junkie.The surprising thing, though, is how I think it holds up, even though so many of the anecdotes and columns are topical of the era in which it was written. I picked this up the other day at the book store, on a whim, and sat down to revisit it. I was laughing so uncontrollably, and for such a period of time, that a lady sitting nearby asked me what I was reading, went and got a copy for herself, started perusing it and ended up buying it.Nobody...NOBODY is as perfectly vicious and insanely funny at the same time. He is like an impressionist political commentator. His portraits of George Bush Sr here aren't quite accurate...but something about the way he exagerates the man's traits captures his essence more clearly than any attempt at objectivity could hope for.If only he were still covering politics...

I found this book to be quite entertaining. He writes on getting late night tattoo's, the Iran-Contra affair, Gary Hart and what was the 1988 presidential campaign, and racing jeeps outside the legendary Woody Creek Tavern. The book is not the best, but neither was the '80's and Hunter covered it like only he could cover them. He seemed interested in the book of revalations more than ever, but that was because president Ronald was a devoute bible reader himself and always said the people of the '80's will be the generation to see the "apocolypse." So between the book of revelations and talking about the generation of swine, Hunter is not quite his old self, but still sharp as a razor!

Thompson at his sardonic best. From Ollie North through Reagan -- Thompson excorcises the horrors of greed, stupidity and mindless, unchecked power that mark the decade we'd most like to forget.