This collection includes just about every great moment that HST ever wrote.

Take, for example, his Fear and Loathing books. While a \\"just the high points\\" approach is presented here, it's clear that it can never truly substitute for the glorious whole of those works.

However, the collection also features many flabby leftover articles. Strangely enough, this actually adds to the charm of the collection. It gives a more complete picture of HST's writing, showing not only his masterpieces but also the pieces that might not have been as polished.

Overall, it's a fascinating collection that offers readers a chance to explore the many facets of HST's unique and influential writing style.

The STOP SMILING Downfall of American Publishing Issue is truly remarkable. It devotes a full 40 pages to an in-depth oral history of the iconic Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. This oral history features interviews with a diverse range of his collaborators and friends.

Names like Ralph Steadman, Craig Vetter, his wife Anita Thompson, and PJ O'Rourke are just a few of those who share their insights and memories.

Regarding this issue, Slate media critic Jack Shafer wrote that \\"Stop Smiling's oral history of Hunter S. Thompson bested Rolling Stone's similarly constructed special issue about the Doctor in every way.\\" This high praise from a respected critic further emphasizes the significance and quality of this particular issue of STOP SMILING. It offers a unique and valuable perspective on the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson, making it a must-read for fans and scholars alike.

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This book still stands as the ultimate resource for delving into the works of Hunter S. Thompson. He was truly one of the most distinctive voices of the late twentieth century. He introduced anarchy into the realm of news and made substance abuse literature accessible to the masses. However, in the end, he became a self-parody, which might cause people to forget just how talented he truly was. I have a hunch that as time progresses, more and more people will discover Gonzo journalism and, of course, attempt to imitate it. The book contains the classics, commencing with the magnificent "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved" and his remarkable and intimate insights into the politicians of his era, such as Jimmy Carter, George McGovern, and his arch-nemesis, Richard Nixon. There is simply nothing quite like going on a road trip with Hunter. This book unquestionably merits a place on every digital bookshelf.

If you’re a Hunter S Thompson fan already, then you should read this. However, if you aren’t, then you definitely shouldn’t. That is to say, you should either read one of his more notable works or just straight turn around.

It’s hard to review what is a mish mash of a ton of different stories. But they all have that same Hunter S Thompson style of word vomit that at times can be confusing and at other times endearing.

There is an entire section devoted to Thompson’s coverage of Nixon and the Watergate scandal. If you’re interested in politics or lived through that time in history, I imagine it could be very entertaining. But for me, who doesn’t have an extensive knowledge of the cast of characters involved at the time, I found myself often confused and bored.

Some of the articles are great, others not so great. My personal favorite is the namesake “The Great Shark Hunt”. But if you’re looking to dive into Hunter S Thompson, I’d recommend not starting here. If you’re deciding whether to read it, refer back to line one.

My starting point for Gonzo was an eye-opening experience. It was my first encounter with the works of Thompson for an extended period. The collection of stories was rather scattered, yet there was a certain cohesion that held them together. The political chapters were not only relevant but also provided a unique perspective on the events of that time. However, it was "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved" that truly stood out. This piece had me in stitches for days. Thompson's writing style was so vivid and engaging that I felt as if I was right there at the Derby, experiencing all the chaos and absurdity. It was through this work that I began to understand the essence of Gonzo journalism and the power of Thompson's words.

My starting point for Gonzo

It was a journey that would change my perception of writing and journalism forever.

The Great Shark Hunt is an outstanding compilation of Hunter's articles that span an impressive 20 years, from the 1960s to the 1970s.

It offers a diverse range of topics, from his in-depth coverage of the rise and fall of Richard Nixon to captivating extracts from his decadent and rather wicked accounts of The Kentucky Derby, and numerous other subjects in between.

As we delve into these writings, we gain a profound sense of his unique style, his larger-than-life personality, and his extraordinary experiences. It's truly remarkable how this drug-addled author could infuse so much venom into every word he wrote.

The real excitement lies in riding along on his incomparably strange and manic wavelength, experiencing all of the bizarre, furious, and frantic energy that he was able to channel into the majority of his work. His insane demeanour and outrageous behaviour never cease to bring a smile to my face.

Res ipsa loquitur.

The man. The myth. The legend. This is an outstanding collection that offers a unique opportunity to 'get to know' Hunter S Thompson. Comprising of his articles and excerpts from his books, there is an abundance of captivating content here to hold your attention. HST truly keeps you on the edge of your seat, not just from article to article, but even from paragraph to paragraph. He is not an author who can be easily categorized, and this book perfectly reflects that. It can be almost as maddening as he is to follow him on this literary journey. After reading this, my brain feels thoroughly scrambled, yet in a good way. It serves as a reminder that the weird and ambiguous should be embraced. I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone. It is only suitable for the weird or those with a committed interest in seeing it through. It is wildly entertaining and provides deep insights into the culture of the 60's and 70's.

One last thing. He should be highly appreciated for his knowledge and profound insights into culture. He was unfortunately poorly misunderstood and underappreciated for his hard work and well-formed commentary. There is a really excellent BBC documentary on him where he talks about constantly living in the shadow of his own myth. The myth of this, what we might now call a 'party legend' or a madman. Only knowing him for the crazy antics from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. By reading this first, you will indeed gain an appreciation for that side of him, but you will also gain a wealth of additional insights into politics, sport, culture, and humanity. I lost track of what I originally intended to boil this down to because my app only allows me to see one line at a time without scrolling. However, if you commit to reading this book, you will gain a plethora of new perspectives on him and the world at large.

This is a highly successful compilation of Thompson's rather indefinable writings.

Admittedly, it does have a few moments where it feels a bit sluggish. For instance, the Watergate section took me a considerable amount of time to plow through, and the same goes for the collection of his early 1960s work.

However, when looking at the bigger picture, it was truly a worthwhile read.

I would suggest finding an unusual place to peruse this book. In my case, I read the majority of it in a stateroom of the Badger, a coal-fired steamer, as it made its way across Lake Michigan.

The unique setting added an extra layer of charm and atmosphere to the reading experience, making it all the more memorable.

Overall, despite its minor flaws, this collection is a must-read for fans of Thompson's work and those interested in exploring the boundaries of literature.

Well, this work is by the renowned Gonzo journalist.

At times, I am truly amazed by his profound insights. His perspectives on Los Angeles, Peru, Argentina, Louisville, and other places are actually extremely enlightening.

However, his rants about Richard Nixon can be rather tiresome and consume an excessive amount of the book. I comprehend that he disliked Nixon and that Nixon had his flaws, but it is evident that he had little regard for most politicians, with the exceptions of McGovern and Carter. He even considered Humphrey to be as bad as Nixon.

I'm not entirely certain if he was of sound mind, but then again, who's to say that insane individuals cannot offer valuable insights? Overall, it is an enjoyable read for the most part, with some of the content having been published elsewhere.

Despite the drawbacks, the journalist's unique style and the interesting topics he covers make this a worthwhile read.

It offers a different perspective on various locations and political figures, which can be both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Whether you agree with his views or not, there is no denying that he has a way of presenting his ideas that keeps the reader engaged.

So, if you're looking for a book that will challenge your thinking and offer a fresh take on the world, this might just be the one for you.

I've had this book for a considerable period of time. However, it was only due to Goodreads' Reading Challenge that I finally got around to reading it. And, to my pleasant surprise, the book offers far more than the sheer madness I initially anticipated from Hunter.

Hunter possesses a rather unique and penetrating gaze. His insights are not only highly informative but also thoroughly entertaining. It's an incredibly thrilling experience when he inserts himself into the story. What's even more astonishing is when figures like The President of The United States sit and enjoy his company.

My favorite articles within this collection are those that are unrelated to politics. This might be because my knowledge of US politics in the sixties is rather limited, mainly confined to the Watergate incident. Nevertheless, even when Hunter is in his political junkie mode, there is always that brutally honest perspective of an outsider, which is truly captivating.

There are several articles that are absolutely hilarious, and I can envision myself rereading them multiple times (in fact, I have dog-eared these particular pages). Hunter's recap of the sixties in the 'waves that broke' section, his account of the experience of riding a motorcycle in his eulogy of a Hell's Angels, and his moral compulsion to bet on Muhammad Ali for the second fight against Leon Spinks - these are some of the finest pieces of writing I've ever come across.

In conclusion, after delving into this thick collection, I am now eagerly looking forward to reading all of Hunter's books.

Oscar was one of God's own prototypes, a high-powered mutant of some kind who was never even considered for mass production. He was too weird to live and too rare to die. And as far as I'm concerned, that's just about all that needs to be said about him right now.

No matter what trip HST is on, I thoroughly enjoy the experience of him taking me along. This frenzy was a pleasure to read and envisage, regardless of what percentage mixture Gonzo to Degenerate we get. Many famous characters grace these pages, juxtaposed against HST, and that makes this collection all the more vibrant. It was a pleasure to be able to read articles that he wrote long before I was born. It's a testament to HST's ability that his writings have aged so well, even with someone who lived through none of it. I can only imagine what a trip (acidic flashback) down memory lane these must be for the hip papas and mamas that were there.

As for the selection, I also give kudos to whoever decided upon it. The reader gets a variety of HST writing that I, at least, previously never even knew existed, such as his extensive sports coverage. This and his political journalism are yet another proof positive to me that I hold this man in high regard as a writer, considering my apathy for sports and outright disdain for politics. Yet I enjoyed most (if not all) of his Nixon tangential ranting. Choice snippets that I recognized from previous stand alone works are also included, and these were as delightful to read through as they always are.

HST's writings are my spirit animal. If I could occupy one fictional world of literature, assuming the role of one character, I would be hard pressed not to select a HST work and become Raoul Duke... or his attorney. And the fact that these stories are not completely fictional makes my fantasy all the more real and resplendent. I'm thankful Hunter existed and that he wrote.

The classic 1974 Ali-Foreman fight in Zaire attracted many famous writers, including Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, and Hunter Thompson. While Mailer and Plimpton marveled at Ali's performance, Thompson experienced the fight in his own unique way. He didn't go to the fight but instead stayed in the hotel swimming pool, floating naked and throwing marijuana into the water. He later found out the result of the fight when someone slipped the hotel newspaper under his door.

Thompson also had some adventures with a pair of elephant tusks he bought in the ivory market. He almost got thrown into jail when he was driving around Kinshasa with the tusks in his car. He managed to escape by driving to the Hotel Inter-Continental and telling the concierge to explain to the soldier that Bill Cardoza, a foreign police chief, was the person to see if there was any complaint.

Overall, Thompson's experiences in Zaire were typical of his wild and unpredictable lifestyle. He lived on the edge and seemed to court danger at every turn. But his stories are also entertaining and full of his unique brand of humor and insight.

Hunter Thompson is like potent blotter acid; he is best savored in small doses.

The book seems to take an eternity to finish as who would willingly sit down and slog through 50 pages of his rants all at once?

If one desires to truly appreciate his wit and madness, patience is required.

UPDATE - November 2018 - I ultimately resolved to sit down and power through the remainder of this book.

At times tiring, yet frequently thrilling, Hunter Thompson was a brilliant artist.

I truly admire a writer who can possess such a completely unique and individual voice.

This book is arduous to get through because Thompson was so intense.

It is difficult to endure that level of intensity throughout a 500-page retrospective of his work.

I didn't have a great fondness for some of the subject matter - to be frank, the Watergate-related content can become a bit of a chore, and the same goes for the South American politics.

But this is rewarding if one is willing to invest the time.

Some of the finest material was at the end - the Jimmy Carter-related bits, a touch of the Hells Angels, a taste of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the Muhammad Ali segment.

What more can be said? A genius at work.