He was truly a fascinating figure, and his story was addictive to read.

His exploits around Aspen were the stuff of legends. There was something about the way he carried himself, the confidence that exuded from him as he engaged in various adventures.

His gambling habits were also a part of his allure. Whether it was at the high-stakes poker tables or the roulette wheels, he seemed to have a natural charm and a bit of a reckless streak.

People couldn't help but be drawn to him, eager to hear about his latest escapades. His presence in Aspen was like a wildfire, spreading excitement and drama wherever he went.

As you delved deeper into his story, you couldn't help but be captivated by his larger-than-life personality and the way he lived life to the fullest.

It was a tale that would stay with you long after you finished reading, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a desire to know more about this enigmatic character.

That is the hallmark of the Reagan administration—a Punishment Ethic that permeates the whole infrastructure of American life and eventually gets down to George Orwell’s notion, in Animal Farm, that ‘all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’

Generation of Swine remains my favorite book by Hunter S. Thompson. It is, in my opinion, him at his sharpest. In this work, it is evident that he had fewer words to utilize in his San Francisco Examiner columns, yet this actually works to his advantage. The book has also astonishingly remained relevant as an account of the initial major stirrings of the division, corruption, and culture wars that have now exploded in their current forms. His writings on the Iran/contra affair are among the most perceptive and honest ones that one can discover, and they mirror many of the things we are witnessing the US government do today in places like Israel. He even discusses Joe Biden, a relatively unknown senator and a once-failed presidential candidate at that time, and his fumbles, bumbles, and scams almost forty years before he would be elected president.

My favorite portions, however, (and the ones I wrote a rather糟糕的 college paper on) are those that discuss the wars on sex and drugs and the meteoric rise of TV preachers. The 1980s were a captivating era, balancing more open sexuality and “medicinal” experimentation with the government and famous evangelicals (with a significant amount of overlap) constantly attempting to criminalize those things. Often, they were themselves guilty of these supposed crimes against human decency.

“How long, O Lord, how long? Are these TV preachers all degenerates? Are they wallowing and whooping with harlots whenever they’re not on camera? Are they all thieves and charlatans and whoremongers?”

The more things change, I guess. It seems that despite the passage of time, many of the issues and concerns Thompson wrote about still persist in our society today.

My second favorite among the Gonzo Papers, which are his collections of journalist columns for newspapers, magazines, and so on.

It is an excellent starting point for anyone new to HST. It is more easily digestible than Las Vegas or the campaign trail because each story is short and gets right to the good part.

One interesting thing I do with the Gonzo Papers series is to find an entry that is close to the current time of year (since all are dated) and read it. It is entertaining to see what national "issues of great importance" he is discussing. Such as betting on the Super Bowl, elections, and so on.

This gives us a unique perspective on the events and topics that were relevant during that time, as seen through the eyes of HST. His writing style is engaging and often humorous, making it a pleasure to read these columns and gain insights into the past.

Whether you are a fan of HST or simply interested in journalism and current affairs, the Gonzo Papers are definitely worth exploring.

Hunter S. Thompson's writing style is truly one of a kind.

His book, "Generation of Swine - Tales of Shame and Degradation in the 80s," is an engaging compilation of essays that were originally published in the San Francisco Examiner from December 1985 to November 1988.

This book is an absolute page turner that will have you laughing throughout.

The stories and anecdotes within its pages offer a unique perspective on the events and culture of the 80s.

If you are a fan of Hunter S. Thompson, then this book is an essential addition to your collection.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to own this entertaining and thought-provoking work.

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Alicia - The Book Grocer

This is a beautifully written collection of newspaper columns dating back to the 1980s.

It offers a fascinating glimpse into the events and discussions of that era.

However, it is important to note that to truly appreciate and enjoy this collection, one must have an interest in the lead-up to the 1988 Presidential election.

The columns likely cover a wide range of topics related to the political landscape, candidate profiles, and the issues that were at the forefront during that time.

They provide a unique perspective on the events as they unfolded and can offer valuable insights into the political climate of the 1980s.

Whether you are a history buff, a political enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys well-written journalism, this collection is sure to engage and inform.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying informed and engaged in the political process, regardless of the era.

I'm still in the process of flipping back and forth through this book during my subway rides. To be honest, I can't accurately tell you how much of it I've read. However, what I have read so far is truly amazing.

Regarding the actual subject matter, this book covers the mid-80's. It made me realize that the only vaguely political writing I've come across from that era is a stack of Doonesbury Treasuries. Naturally, there are numerous comparisons to Raoul Duke and Uncle Duke, but I tend to let most of the specific political references pass by. Maybe you could call me a philistine, but I'm not reading this to become an expert in 80's politics. I'm reading for lines like: "It was Friday night when we blew up the Jeep. The explosions shook the whole valley and sent chunks of red shrapnel flying all over the house and all the way back to the White River National Forest." Or this one: "I am genuinely sorry about having to chop the arm off that poor woman's Alaskan parka that you made me wear, but I was only doing my job. We are, after all, professionals."

Yes, the majority of this book is a reflection on the dead zone that was Reagan's second term. Many great tangents and one-liners are inspired by Thompson's appropriately apocalyptic view of those years. But it's that side of true "bat-shit craziness," as Thompson calls it, that really excites me. "Fear and Loathing" has this in abundance, but with little connection to reality to give the drug trip any context. "Generation of Swine" strikes a perfect balance between insanity and social analysis, and it's simply delicious, angry brain food. It's like reading good sex that you know you'll regret tomorrow.

I truly loved it.

It was not only hilarious but also extremely informative.

The content was presented in such a way that it kept me entertained throughout while also imparting valuable knowledge.

The humor was on point, making it an enjoyable read.

At the same time, the information provided was well-researched and presented in a clear and understandable manner.

I found myself learning new things while also laughing out loud.

It's not often that you come across something that can do both so effectively.

This article was a great example of how education and entertainment can go hand in hand.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and informative read.

It's definitely worth your time.

The second collected work of Thompson's journalism, which could be regarded as the Gonzo Papers, reveals that he is actually distancing himself from gonzo journalism. In these very short articles, very few of them present Thompson in a first-person context.

The majority of the articles focus on setting betting odds for the 1988 presidential election and providing details about the Iran-Contra affair, as well as the subsequent trial of Ollie North and related parties. In fact, a significant portion of it feels like armchair journalism. Many of these articles begin with statements like, "Last week was a political bloodbath..." and then Thompson sums up what happened in the past week based on what he saw on the news. It hardly qualifies as real journalism at all.

However, it is somewhat redeemed by Thompson's caustic perspective. The small bits of prose in the book, especially at the beginning, serve as a kind of salvation for what otherwise becomes a very repetitive and not overly worthwhile read.

I didn't know what to expect from this.

It's essentially a collection of his articles or essays.

To my surprise, I found myself really enjoying it.

It felt like a rapid fire recap of major political events in the 1980's.

Back then, I was too young to pay attention to those events.

But through this collection, I was able to get a better understanding of what was happening during that time.

The author did a great job of presenting the information in an engaging and accessible way.

I appreciate the effort he put into compiling these articles and essays.

Thanks for the summary, Hunter!

It has definitely broadened my knowledge and perspective.

I would highly recommend this collection to anyone who is interested in learning more about the political history of the 1980's.

A closer examination reveals a more shrewd and less extravagance-driven HST. In a rather one-sided manner, this has assisted me in getting a better understanding of 80's life in the US. The man often appears puritanical and deliberately malicious, yet one can also observe that he is astonishingly well-read and, as he repeatedly states himself, pathologically addicted to news.

HST mentions on one or two occasions that the Book of Revelations is one of his primary inspirations for writing. He clearly delights in using punishing and fiery language. There is also a man who admires and defends the likes of Samuel Coleridge (referred to as 'Sam') and Edgar Allen Poe.

If you are seeking a "ruleless world" Thompson, you might be surprised to discover an erudite mother badger, safeguarding its literary brood from the George Bushes and Ronald Reagans.

Miami Vice is experiencing issues because of all these storms.

Everyone is involved in the cocaine trade, and there is a new and shameful form of evil in the White House that far exceeds what was believed Nixon was capable of. That man is Ronald Reagan.

He shows no concern for the poor or the gays. Additionally, although he claims to hate drugs, he doesn't hesitate to use them as a means to deal with the ghettos.

Right wing conservatism seems to be here to stay, and in the midst of all this madness, there is only one man who can make sense of it and document this generation of what seems like swine. That man is Doctor Gonzo.

His unique perspective and unwavering stance might just be the key to understanding the complex web of events and the moral decay that seems to be plaguing society during this time.

As the chaos continues to unfold, Doctor Gonzo stands as a symbol of hope for those seeking truth and a voice in the midst of the insanity.

Hunter S. Thompson's writing had always been a force to be reckoned with. However, my one major concern was the direction it was headed. It seemed only a matter of time before it delved deeper and deeper into the realm of fiction. The years at the peak of his craft, along with his abuse of drugs and alcohol, had taken a toll on him, leaving him burnt out. This is evident in "Generation of Swine".

The book has its moments of interest as he covers the Reagan years, but it lacks the passion that was once so characteristic of his work. He reuses old lines, trying to fit them into the Gary Hart and George Bush era of the 1980s, but they come across as poor imitations of his former greatness. His "Generation of Swine" concept simply doesn't have the same trailblazing impact as "Fear and Loathing...".

For the few issues that he does still care about, it is reassuring to see glimpses of the once great writer. But for the most part, he fails to overcome the obstacles that he was once able to handle with relative ease. "Generation of Swine" feels like an unnecessary compilation of articles, especially after the great experience of "The Great Shark Hunt". While there are still some good pieces within, for every quality article, there are two that have little to no impact on the culture that Thompson was trying to analyze and understand.

This is the inevitable downside of a commentator turning columnist.