Hunter S. Thompson's Gonzo Article Collection. I read it with pleasure, following the author through different stages, his take on US politics, sports, and his travels in South America. Without the context of the author's personality, it's better not to pick up this book. However, if the author intrigues you in some way, this book is a great choice for further studying Thompson. Since it's a collection, there are excerpts from other works of Raoul Duke, such as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72". Personally, I simply skipped these chapters as I had recently read those works, but even without them, the book is very long and it didn't affect the overall impression.

The collection offers a diverse range of Thompson's writings, allowing readers to explore his unique style and perspective. It provides insights into various aspects of his life and the events that shaped his views. Whether you're a fan of his work or new to his writing, this collection is worth checking out. It gives a comprehensive look at Thompson's literary contributions and his impact on the world of journalism and literature.

Overall, Hunter S. Thompson's Gonzo Article Collection is a fascinating read that offers a glimpse into the mind of a truly original and influential writer. It's a must-read for anyone interested in Thompson's work or those looking for a unique and engaging literary experience.

I started reading this book in 2016 and finished it in 2024. It's not that I'm an extremely slow reader, but there were two breaks in the middle, each lasting almost four years, during which I read a lot of other things. However, this book was always at the back of my mind, bothering me for not finishing it because the quality of its content is unique and irreplaceable. At times, I laughed out loud while reading this book... a comedy author would kill to achieve that. And at other times, I was indignant, amazed, and informed because Hunter S. Thompson is a meticulous narrator and much more serious than many people mention of his era (in this case, the '60s and '70s).

To be honest, it's one of the books of my life... and I felt that when - finally - I was reading the last pages, and the feeling that overwhelmed me was not one of relief for finishing it, but of melancholy for leaving that world and that era. Fortunately, I have the sequels of this volume, so days, months, years, and if I play my cards right, decades of Gonzo Documents await me.

This book covers the breadth of Thompson's early career.

It includes significant portions of his three major works: "Hell's Angels", "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas", and "Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail".

Thompson is too often simply categorized as a drug writer, being both praised and dismissed for something that was only a small part of his extensive body of work.

What is far more interesting is the diverse and detailed path he took to catalogue the fringes of society.

He explored student radicals and brown power, sports fans and Richard Nixon, the Hell's Angels and Jean Claude Killy.

He is not just a good journalist; he is a singular voice. (This means that you should stop trying to imitate him.)

There is a wealth of material here. Some of it is better than others, but it gives you a comprehensive view of Thompson at the height of his powers.

It allows you to understand the depth and breadth of his work and the unique perspective he brought to the table.

Overall, it is a fascinating look into the early career of a literary icon.

Currently, I am re-reading this work. Why? Because this author was truly remarkable. This collection of 'journalism' was penned during the period leading up to his prime. Sadly, it seems that after the mid-seventies, he lost some of his creative spark.

Reading the piece about the killing of Rueben Salazar and the riots had a profound impact on me. It feels as if these events are happening all over again in the present.

The way he describes his creative process, feeding his work up the'mojo wire' under intense deadline pressure (always with that Chekhov's gun element). His descriptions of his tools, the various typewriters he used, create a sense of crazy nervous energy.

While reading, you can tell when he goes off on a wild tangent. But these are actually the best parts, as they reveal the harsh, hidden truth far more effectively than any straightforward 'just the facts' account.

While reading 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' may elicit a belly laugh on every page, 'The Great Shark Hunt' will have you chuckling snidely. There are also a few truly hilarious segments.

The humor serves to mask the fact that we are all doomed and it's our own doing. Selah.

There was a time when I had a genuine affection for HST.

Even now, there are still some of his articles that hold great value. In particular, those related to Nixon and Watergate are highly informative and play a crucial role in helping us understand the events that have unfolded in the past few years.

However, as time has passed, the more Gonzo aspects of his work have not fared well. While they are not omnipresent, the few instances where the N word is used can be quite jarring to the modern reader. This is because, on the whole, such usage seems entirely unnecessary in the current context.

It is important to note that while HST's work has its merits, we must also view it through the lens of modern sensibilities and values.

As society continues to evolve, our understanding and acceptance of certain language and behaviors change.

Therefore, when reading HST's work, we need to approach it with a critical eye and be aware of the potential impact that some of his words may have on contemporary audiences.

My favorite writer, Thompson, is renowned for his wit, shock value, and humor.

Although this collection has a few moments where it seems to get lost in the details, Thompson's captivating writing quickly brings it back on track and maintains a frenzied pace and tone across a wide range of topics. His political writing is some of the most underappreciated work of the last century, and his travel writing in South America is a real gem. His intense and justifiable hatred for Nixon adds real excitement to the Watergate scandal, and his fascinating encounters with Muhammad Ali, Jimmy Carter, and West Coast drifters make him truly the chronicler of the zeitgeist of the late 60s and 70s.

As he so aptly put it, "If there is one quick truism about psychedelic drugs, it is that anyone who tried to write about them without firsthand experience is a fool and a fraud."

His descriptions are equally vivid, as seen in his portrayal of Chicago: "I had been there before, and I remembered it well. Chicago - this vicious, stinking zoo, this mean-grinning, mace-smelling boneyard of a city; an elegant rockpile monument to everything cruel and stupid and corrupt in the human spirit."

And his take on deep sea fishing is both humorous and scathing: "Looking back on all that, my only feeling for deep sea fishing is one of absolute and visceral aversion. Hemingway had the right idea when he decided that a.45 calibre submachine gun was the proper tool for shark fishing, but he was wrong about his targets. Why shoot innocent fish, when the guilty walk free along the docks, renting boats for $140 a day to drunken dupes who call themselves'sport fishermen'."

Thompson's unique style and perspective make his work a must-read for anyone looking for something different and engaging.

A compilation of Hunter S. Thompson’s writings offers a diverse range of content.

Part of this book is truly fascinating. It includes his visit to the Kentucky Derby, which provides a vivid and exciting account of the event. His interactions with Nixon and Carter offer unique insights into the political landscape of the time. Additionally, his interview with Mohammed Ali is both engaging and revealing.

However, other parts of the book are less captivating. Some sections may not hold the reader’s interest as strongly as the more exciting and well-known episodes.

Overall, this compilation earns a rating of 3.5 stars, which has been rounded up. It is a worthwhile read for fans of Hunter S. Thompson and those interested in his unique style of journalism and writing.

HST writes in his own inemitable style, which is truly captivating. It has the power to engage the reader, yet at the same time, it can be off-putting and even disturbing. However, it is also intrueging, making one unable to look away.

A significant portion of the current affairs presented are clearly dated, such as the articles about Nixon and Carter. Nevertheless, they offer an interesting snapshot of HST's perspective on those times.

There is a fair amount of recycled material in the collection, but surprisingly, it doesn't really detract from the overall experience. It took me quite a while to read through all of this, as each drug-addled story demanded my full attention.

Despite the flaws and the dated nature of some of the content, HST's writing style and his unique take on the world make this collection a worthwhile read. It provides a fascinating insight into a bygone era and the mind of a truly original writer.

This collection is truly large and vast. It consists of nearly 600 pages, and a significant portion often seems dedicated to Hunter's extreme fixation on the dumpster fire that was Nixon's presidency.

One could play a drinking game with this book based on Nixon's name, and likely end up having their stomach pumped before reaching Part Two. The beauty of this compilation, which is the first installment of The Gonzo Papers and follows HST's earlier pieces from the 50s - 70s, lies in its enormity.

Regardless of the subject matter (and there are plenty to choose from here), Hunter first and foremost remains three things: a fantastic writer, a wild comic, and a bizarre sage. This collection covers a wide range of topics, including sports, music, politics, the American South, the impact of the 1960s, random ramblings, a funeral for a Hell's Angel, and much more.

Safe to say, for each reader, there is bound to be a topic or two that doesn't directly interest them as much as others. But that hardly matters because Hunter makes you interested. He is such a remarkable writer that I willingly surrender to whatever he has to say, even if it's something I know nothing about or don't care for.

He is technically skilled and indisputably intelligent, yet he never squanders his most unique gifts to kowtow to these qualities. He doesn't let himself drown in his intellect or become just a mass of well-produced words. Instead, he always remains rare, wild, and at-the-ready. He doesn't dare become highbrow. Instead, he expertly balances his clear genius with an exuberant folly. He is always fun, even in times of serious or boring matters.

His journalism is an astonishing example of auteur showmanship that often transcends the time it took place. So much of this collection is still politically and socially applicable to today's age, and the moments that perhaps didn't age as well as others become a great time capsule.

There are better times than others in this collection, especially when I felt like I was overdosing on Richard Milhous Nixon. Seriously, there is just so much Nixon in this book. What started out as interesting as the other topics quickly became overdone.

However, the intense degree of this obsession is funny enough on its own. Opening this collection with a dedication to Nixon that spends several hundred pages violently and obsessively disparaging him is one of the funniest and most iconic moves in literary history.

Additionally, I found the structure of this collection odd. I'm still having a hard time understanding why the four parts that make up this book are the way they are. It feels like there wasn't much thought put into the order of these essays, though perhaps the chaos of these arrangements adds to the experience of slowly swimming through its magnitude.

For me, the shining stars of this collection were the essays set in Louisville/Kentucky, the profile on Jean-Claude Killy, reading Thompson's early thoughts on what Gonzo journalism meant to him, the investigation into Hemingway's hideaway in Idaho, the brief behind-the-scenes look at Jimmy Carter and Ted Kennedy, cameos from Raoul Duke, a great interview with Muhammad Ali, and overall, the endlessly inspiring badassery and huge heart that is Hunter S. Thompson.

Hunter dedicated his life to bringing us, the readers, along on his trips. From the peacocks screeching at Owl Farm to the insane rot of the White House, to the beaches of Cozumel, to being ringside with Leon Spinks and Muhammad Ali, to Bluegrass country and Louisville's Derby Day, Hunter lived more in this one book than I bet nearly anyone else has in a lifetime.

Inspiring is truly an understatement. He is witty, passionate, potently truthful when he can be, spirited, and forever one of a kind. The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time follows suit. A remarkable feat of living life to the fullest as a writer is documented here.

Hunter was so right when he so promptly voiced, "Why not?" This is well worth embarking upon. Take your time and enjoy Hunter acting as your wicked Charon guiding you into his mania, the country's mania, the world's mania. Forever and always, the undisputed heavyweight Gonzo champion of the world. Indeed!

Some stories, such as the eponymous Great Shark Hunt and the Kentucky Derby one, are truly absolute classics. They possess a certain charm and allure that make them stand out.

However, it cannot be denied that many of these literary gems often find themselves trapped in between long stretches of relatively boring political coverage. This can sometimes overshadow their brilliance and make it a bit more difficult for readers to discover them.

Nevertheless, I would still highly recommend it. Especially if you are not averse to the idea of picking and choosing among the best pieces. By doing so, you can unearth those hidden treasures and enjoy the truly outstanding works that lie within. It's like a treasure hunt, where you get to explore and discover the most precious literary gems amidst the sometimes less exciting political content.

So, don't be deterred by the occasional dull patches. Instead, keep an open mind and be willing to search for the best, and you will surely be rewarded with some amazing reading experiences.

As the Trump Era got fired up, I found myself re-reading certain works with a new perspective.

One author whose writings I'll likely be re-reading more of in the next few years is Thompson. His unique style and incisive commentary have always had the power to engage and challenge.

Re-reading his works during this tumultuous time allows me to see how his ideas and observations might apply or have changed in the context of the Trump presidency.

It's a fascinating exercise that not only deepens my understanding of Thompson's work but also provides a lens through which to view the current political and social landscape.

I look forward to delving further into his writings and uncovering new insights and connections as the Trump Era continues to unfold.

My travel reading during my two most recent trips into the U.S. has been truly enlightening.

There are flashes of insight from around 1962 - 1977 that seem to explain a great deal about the U.S.A. since approximately 2014. The seeds of MAGA are clearly visible, as is the fertilizer that was applied to those seeds.

The material from the early 60s, before the Hells Angels and Gonzo, is particularly interesting in this context. "What Lured Hemingway to Ketchum?" is Thompson's own funerary panegyric, although he didn't realize it when he wrote it.

This reading has given me a new perspective on the country's recent history and how certain ideas and movements have taken root. It's fascinating to see the connections between the past and the present and to understand the forces that have shaped the nation.

I look forward to continuing my exploration of these works and uncovering more insights into the complex and ever-evolving story of the United States.