It's a crying shame that Hunter S. Thompson blew out his brains back in 2005.

The world has indeed become ever so much more crazed, especially in the United States. His Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame & Degradation in the '80's, also known as Gonzo Papers Volume 2, is even more relevant today than when it was written during the waning days of the Reagan Presidency and the Iran-Contra Scandal.

One can't help but wonder what Hunter Thompson could have made of Donald J. Trump with his tiny hands and his mantra, \\"You're fired!\\" What a model for the leader of the Free World (so to speak)! I envision a pair of tiny handcuffs in his future, along with a one-way bus-ticket to Palookaville.

Today's politics have brought me closer to Thompson, and I will likely read a great deal more of his works in the days to come. I remember, when I was an angry young man in the 1960s, how I hung on every word written by Norman Mailer! Now I feel the same way about the man Garry Trudeau of \\"Doonesbury\\" memorialized for all time as Duke.

Thompson's unique perspective and fearless approach to writing about the absurdities and corruptions of society continue to resonate with me, and I look forward to delving deeper into his literary legacy.

No one can write like Hunter. His writing style is truly unique and captivating. Even though much of these newspaper articles are about US politics in the 80s, it's still gripping reading.

The 80s was a significant era in US politics, filled with various events and personalities. Hunter's articles manage to bring that era to life, providing detailed insights and perspectives.

His vivid descriptions and engaging narratives make it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the stories. Whether you're interested in politics or not, these articles have something for everyone.

They offer a fascinating look into a bygone era and a reminder of the power of great writing. So, if you're looking for something to read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than Hunter's newspaper articles.

DNF.

There is simply too much celebrity name dropping in this work. It seems as if the author is trying to impress the readers by constantly referring to famous people. This, along with the crazy over the top stuff, makes the whole experience very tiring very quickly.

I used to be a big fan of Thompson. His writing had a certain charm and energy that I really loved. However, something has changed. Either I've aged badly and my tastes have evolved, or his writing has lost its magic.

It's a shame really, because I had high hopes for this piece. But unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe I'll give Thompson another chance in the future, but for now, I'm left feeling disappointed.

I'm not a huge fan of HST.

However, I have to admit that this might have altered my opinion to some extent.

Taken from his newspaper column in the 1980s, the reader gets to experience Thompson's unfiltered perspective on American politics.

He also writes about his degenerate 'friends', mangy dogs that seem to need a good kick, and showcases his quick wit and astute observations of life in America during the mid to late 1980s.

It's a fascinating read that offers a unique window into that era and Thompson's mind.

His writing style is bold and unapologetic, which can be both refreshing and a bit shocking at times.

Overall, it makes me want to explore more of his work and see what else he has to say about the world we live in.

Maybe I'm not such a reluctant HST reader after all.

Between 1985 and 1988, Thompson was deeply engaged in writing about a wide range of topics. He delved into everything from dictators to his own dishes, and rambled on and on about Reagan and Meese. Some of his essays were truly remarkable, with sharp insights and excellent use of words that cut deep. However, not all of them were equally impressive. In fact, out of the 105 essays in this rather extensive collection, only 9 managed to leave a lasting impression. The rest were either mediocre or simply got lost in the mire.

One of the standout essays was "A Generation of Swine", which received a perfect score of 5/5. It wasn't just about a heart monitor; it also explored what was happening at drive-ins. Another great piece was "The Dim and Dirty Road", with a score of 4/5. The way he mixed metaphors of driving and bad political decisions was quite engaging. "Let the Cheap Dogs Eat" also had its亮点, with the memorable line "There is no Home for Retired Pit Bulls", earning it a 4/5.

The "Pro-Flogging View" was a sarcastic masterpiece, filled with great lines and deserving of a 5/5. It could almost be considered a manual for parents to read before their kids turn into brats. "They All Drowned" was another 5/5 essay, somehow managing to connect deaths, draining lakes, and the consequences of excessive hubris. "A Death in the Family" was also a great read, using foxes and the food chain to tell an interesting story.

"Deported to Malaysia" was a 5/5 essay that taught a valuable lesson about getting over things quickly, almost instantaneously. "Orgy of the Dead" was a 4/5 piece that was fun to read as it described how to blow things up. And finally, "The Last Taxi to Scotland" was a great example of Thompson's ability to build anxiety as the narrator is chauffeured around by a drunk biker.

Overall, to truly appreciate Thompson's work, one has to have a taste for satire and hyperbole, which I do. However, I was less impressed with his political views. By the way, his take on Biden didn't age well at all, even thirty some years ago.

I believe Wayne brought this up to the Michigan cottage during one of his visits the summer my brother Fin was living there.

In any case, that's where I found and read the thing.

"The thing" is a collection of satirical pieces. Most of them are political, dealing with various aspects of the political landscape. Some are more cultural, exploring different elements of society and culture.

The author of this collection is the same one who wrote Fear and Loathing in....

Among all the pieces, the most amusing one to me was his straight-faced description of Richard M. Nixon's Vietnamese houseboat mistress.

It was a hilarious and unexpected take on a historical figure and a particular situation.

The author's use of satire and his unique writing style made this description truly stand out and left a lasting impression on me.

I found myself laughing out loud while reading it and couldn't help but admire the author's creativity and胆量 in presenting such a bold and comical idea.

Overall, this collection of satirical pieces was a great read and provided me with a lot of entertainment and food for thought.

Nowhere near as good as Kingdom of Fear. This work seems to be overly fixated on Reagan's scandals and the '88 election. It's almost as if those were the only events of significance that occurred during the 1980s. From a historical standpoint, this limited focus makes it not really worth delving deep into. What's more, HST was incorrect in many of his predictions, yet he never bothered to admit or discuss it later on.

Overall, I ended up speedreading through the last half of it. It gave me the impression that I was reading a modern blog that is solely dedicated to following politics. There was a lack of depth and comprehensiveness that one would expect from a more serious and well-researched piece. It failed to capture the full essence and complexity of the era, leaving the reader with a somewhat shallow understanding.

Reality Check or Prophecy, You Decide

In today's rapidly changing world, we are constantly bombarded with information and predictions. Some of these seem to be based on solid facts and analysis, while others may seem more like wild speculation or wishful thinking. But how can we tell the difference between a reality check and a prophecy?

A reality check is a realistic assessment of a situation based on current facts and trends. It takes into account the limitations and challenges that exist, as well as the potential opportunities and solutions. A prophecy, on the other hand, is a prediction about the future that may or may not be based on any real evidence. It could be a vision, a dream, or simply a hunch.

The truth is, only time will tell whether a particular statement is a reality check or a prophecy. However, we can use our own judgment and critical thinking skills to evaluate the credibility of the information we receive. We can look at the source of the statement, the evidence that supports it, and the logic behind the argument. By doing so, we can make more informed decisions and better prepare for the future. So, the next time you hear a prediction or assessment, ask yourself: is this a reality check or a prophecy? And then, decide for yourself.

Reagan was once seemingly headed for the dustbin of history. Bush I was rumored to be readying for jail. Televangelists were even said to be self-immolating. And Gary Hart was excitedly packing, believing he was about to move into the White House.

However, as time has passed, the perception has changed. Reagan is now widely considered one of the greatest presidents. Ollie North is regarded as a hero by some. Joel Osteen fills a basketball arena every Sunday with his sermons. And Hart, in a way, set the stage for our modern-day love of political scandal.

In the end, it seems that the unexpected has happened. The situation that was once so uncertain has taken on a new form. The swine, so to speak, has won. But what does this all mean for the future of our political and social landscape? Only time will tell.

"Buy the ticket, take the ride."

I truly love HST! It's so exciting that he mentions my hometown of Novato on page 20. Man, I really wish I could have been at that party! He mentions Novato again on page 135, recalling the good old Sonomarin Adult Drive-In theater. When I was a young teen, every time our car passed by on the 101, I would strain my neck to the limit just to catch a glimpse of the screen. Then he mentions Ignacio, a subsection of Novato, on pages 200 and 201. How did I miss this guy?

The pieces in this book span from December 9, 1985, to November 22, 1988. It chronicles the terrible reign of Ronald Reagan's second term and the election of his lackey, George Bush. Disgusting, both of them, and their 'handlers'. Hunter points out that the Republican presidents - Nixon, Reagan, and Bush - all had major scandals like Watergate and the Iran/Contra Affair. He didn't know that Bush's son would have 9/11 and his illegal war on Iraq, and that Trump would try to destroy the USA in less than four years. Five Republican presidents, five horrible, treason-filled presidencies. Goodness gracious.

Joe Biden in ‘88? Wow, I had no idea. And here he is, on the verge of the presidency in 2020. Hopefully...

"Some people are bent like Joe Theismann’s leg, but few of them work for the Redskins, and nobody takes them to a hospital when their bones erupt through their flesh."

The writing like the above is exactly why I enjoy HST so much! He'll say anything, no matter how messed up or crazy. One of my favorites in here is the Herschel Walker net! Hilarious! Goodness gracious!

My favorite thing about reading this book is remembering how criminal the Reagan administration was. History, especially on the right, seems to completely forget this. But, from '86 on, he was as crooked as Nixon and about half of Trump, and he and his handlers deserved to be in prison, just like Nixon and his cronies, and as does Trump and his chorus of evil. I'm so glad this book exists! It proves to me that I wasn't remembering it wrong! Thanks HST!

“In a generation of swine, the one-eyed pig is king.”

I am currently reading this book, and there are only 20 pages left to go. Once I finish it, I won't have access to this page anymore, and I really hate typing things like this on my smartphone. It is often much better to give a book review immediately after reading it, and I feel that I am close enough to doing so.

I have come across a lot of bad reviews of this book. Some people claim that it lacks interesting stories, engaging material, and the "edge" that Hunter had earlier in his career. It almost seems as if Hunter was overreaching for a story, trying too hard. One could look at it from that perspective, and I can understand how it might be perceived as boring or rambling. Additionally, when reading it today, it can be difficult to connect with due to the outdated "current events" that Hunter wrote about. This book, similar to Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72, can also be seen as out of touch because of the time period in which it was written. Now, in 2021, many of the political characters mentioned in this book are no longer relevant or have been forgotten in general.

However, if one reads it more as a diary of Hunter Thompson during this time period, as I did, a lot of entertainment value can be found. I didn't find it as out of date as I did the '72 book that was mentioned earlier. It is packed full of dense content, which can be hard to read at times, but at the same time, it is a relatively fast read. What I liked about it is that each chapter presents a new story, making it easy to start and stop over different periods without missing anything. It is a great book if you like to read two or more books simultaneously.

Hunter S. Thompson's work was sometimes entertaining, but it was mostly filled with extremely dated and inaccurate speculations about politics and sports.

His writing might have been engaging for those who actually lived through the specific era he was writing about. However, for those who didn't experience that time firsthand, it was mostly uninteresting.

Poor Hunter seemed unable to pen anything that would stand the test of time. He was great at capturing a moment for those who were part of it, but one has to wonder if anyone else, especially future generations, will ultimately care.

His work, while perhaps having some value in documenting a particular period, lacks the universality and timelessness that would make it truly significant and relevant to a wider audience across different eras.

It's a shame that his talent was somewhat limited in this regard, as he had the potential to create something more enduring.