This collection of Thompson's journalistic articles and extracts from his books is, quite inadvertently, more fascinating due to the decline in Thompson that it documents.

During the 1970s, he would progress from merely assuming a persona to being completely consumed by it. And here, within the pages of this collection, one can actually track this transformation happening in real time.

It offers a unique and somewhat eerie glimpse into the mind and evolution of a man who was once a force to be reckoned with in the world of journalism.

The full review can be found at https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202....

It's a must-read for anyone interested in Thompson's work and the complex journey he embarked upon during that decade.

This book of Hunter S. Thompson essays and articles offers a comprehensive look at most of his early career.

Particularly, it focuses on the time when he was penning renowned works such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hell's Angels, and covering the Watergate scandal.

Many of these articles found their way into those other books, yet a significant portion remained unpublished outside of the original, extremely hard-to-find periodicals.

This is classic Thompson. He delves into pop icons like Jean Claude Killy and Muhammad Ali in a manner that makes you wish even E! News could aspire to such heights.

In my opinion, since Thompson's passing, there hasn't been an adequate writer of national politics. Gonzo journalism was the only thing that made that subject remotely interesting and readable for me.

By its very nature, The Great Shark Hunt is a dated work. It presents the late sixties and seventies as they truly were, not as everyone attempts to remember them in an effort to recapture their "lost youth".

Any American citizen would do well to read Thompson's body of work to gain a sense of those tumultuous decades.

The essays in this book are generally of high quality and interesting, serving as cultural time capsules if nothing else.

However, my main frustration lies in its organization. It desperately requires an editor. It's not so much about cutting anything down but rather about proper organization.

The sports essays, which cover topics such as boxing, football, horse racing, and sport fishing, should be grouped together. Similarly, the counter-culture essays, including a particularly well-timed one on "Hashbury" written just before the Summer of Love, should be in one section.

The political essays should also be grouped and ordered. Why on earth aren't the numerous entries on Watergate in chronological order? If reorganized in this way, this would be a very good collection.

It's a pity that the current lack of organization detracts from the overall value of the book. With a little editorial attention, it could truly shine.

Inimitable in style, incomparable as a human being and personality. Like many, my only exposure to HST is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. A book I read a long time ago and I remember being equal parts bewildered and beguiled.

This collection of journalism pieces shows a very different side of HST: the side that was actually a very well-paid and renowned reporter. My biggest takeaway from this is that he was an exceptional political and sports journalist at times. He writes with a phenomenal incisiveness and sharpness of analysis that others would frankly be too scared to put onto paper.

The joy of HST is that he thought nothing of ruffling feathers or burning bridges, as well as some of the utterly bizarre meanderings and deranged stories that he had the guts to own up to. What mattered to HST was telling a story, even if it is embellished, half-true and compiled with all the care and attention we should expect from someone up to his eyeballs on fifteen different drugs at any given time.

However, this loses a few stars for me for being a) at times aimless and wandering, resulting in a volume that slightly overstayed its welcome, and b) the simple fact that being a good journalist was not the author's goal. Being high as a kite and writing whatever mad thoughts came into his head were top of the order. At times, this resulted in pure gold. At others, a sprawling mess of borderline unconnected thoughts.

Reading Thompson truly is being in bat country; it's exciting, baffling, and a little bit terrifying. It's a journey into the mind of a unique and complex individual, one that is both fascinating and challenging. You never quite know what to expect, but you're always on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what he'll come up with next.

This collection serves as a remarkable showcase of Thompson's literary and journalistic prowess at its zenith. It features excerpts from some of his major works during the 60s and early 70s, as well as lively articles from his time writing for Rolling Stone.

Not every piece of writing here manages to cut through the noise, but when Thompson is in his element, that wickedly captivating voice reaches heights of ecstasy that rival the best of the 20th century. His writing transcends the printed page due to its animated and scintillating nature, and the stories are sometimes so outrageously bold that one can only marvel at the fact that this man truly existed, cared not for the norms, and did things in his own outrageously unique way. This is precisely why, even when the writing veers off into tangential ramblings, Thompson can be forgiven.

The most outstanding aspect of this book is the diverse range of voices on display. From Thompson's more focused geopolitical journalism in South America in the early 60s to his scathing, unbridled reporting on Nixon and Watergate, and his acid-fueled ravings about just about any wild adventure he embarked upon, he remained a consistently outstanding writer during this era. Like the Oracle at Delphi, he was fearless in venturing to places where other writers simply dared not go. In every sense, he was a true original.

The absolute must-read stories in this book include "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved," "Strange Rumblings in Aztlan," the "Fear and Loathing at the Watergate" series, "The 'Hashbury' is the Capital of the Hippies," and the titular "Great Shark Hunt."

Hunter S. Thompson, the pioneer of Gonzo journalism, left behind a remarkable collection of writings from the 1960s and 70s. This man had an uncanny ability to make anything interesting.

There was just something about him. He could portray himself as a drunken, drug-addled maniac without a shred of shame or remorse, yet still manage to seem somewhat likable. It's truly amazing. Although I doubt I would have enjoyed his company much in real life. I can hardly fathom how he didn't end up dying in jail. Thankfully, he lived long enough to build up such a ridiculously entertaining body of work. Few people could have made the politics of the early 70s seem so captivating.

This book was also extremely enlightening. It makes you realize how little things have actually changed since then. Maybe my assessment of the intelligence of the average person wouldn't have taken such a drastic plunge over the last six years if I had seen those decades through the eyes of the former Dr. Thompson. I would have known from the start just how dumb people are capable of being.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It was a wild ride through the mind of a true original.

This was good, and in some parts, it was truly great.

If the middle section regarding Nixon were removed, this would effortlessly earn four stars. The sections about Aztlan and The Domino are simply amazing. His diverse discussions about sports are all excellent. Hunter is a remarkable liar or an untrustworthy narrator as he guides the reader through tales of decompression chambers and conversations with Nixon.

By the end, I have no idea what is real and what is fake. He claims that truth is stranger and funnier than fiction, but his blend muddies the waters. However, all of this makes for extremely entertaining reading.

The only reason the Nixon sections don't resonate with me is my lack of familiarity with the history. Dr. Thompson doesn't explain the important events; he merely ruminates on them.

This gets a recommendation from me if you have an interest in the 60s, sports, and politics, especially if you have no clue who Hunter is.

“Oh … Jesus! What in the name of God is happening in this country? Where can you get away from it?” “Not here,” I said, picking up my bag. “Thanks for the drink … and good luck.”

If you are a fan of Thompson, this book is like having a conversation with an old friend.

Thompson was a remarkable writer who dabbled in non-fiction, fiction, and a unique blend of the two that he coined as Gonzo Journalism. This volume serves as an excellent introduction to all three of these genres.

The book is a compilation of diverse journalistic pieces and snippets from his longer works. These pieces, now approximately 50 years old, can be a bit of a hit or miss. However, when they do hit, it's like a bullseye.

Even when they miss, perhaps because the issue he's discussing has long been forgotten, it's still enjoyable due to his direct and punchy writing style. Well, maybe not entirely direct, as he has a tendency to regularly veer off course. But those random tangents are still worthwhile.

But it must be noted that Thompson is definitely not for everyone. His writing is unorthodox, his style is idiosyncratic, and his approach can be polarizing. Some may find his work brilliant and captivating, while others may be put off by his unconventional methods.

Nevertheless, for those who appreciate his brand of journalism and writing, this book is a treasure trove. It offers a glimpse into the mind of a truly original thinker and writer, and provides an opportunity to engage with his work on a deeper level.

Whether you're a die-hard Thompson fan or a curious newcomer, this book is well worth a read. It may not be perfect, but it's definitely an interesting and engaging exploration of one of the most unique voices in modern journalism.

The Great Shark Hunt – Hunter S. Thompson: 59% Steve Nicholas Avocados

The Great Shark Hunt is a remarkable collection that showcases Hunter S. Thompson's most outstanding articles over the years. However, regrettably, they seem rather outdated to me, preventing me from fully appreciating their true essence.

Thompson's compilation delves into significant American historical events of the 1960s and 1970s. It includes the Nixon trials, Muhammed Ali's ascent to stardom, the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam War, and many more.

Thompson was a pioneer of Gonzo journalism. This style demands that the journalist not only observes but actively participates in the story, essentially making himself a character within his own works. His erratic writing style and notoriously debauched lifestyle contribute to making his reports both highly entertaining and truly unique. It's almost like a form of degenerate poetry.

Regrettably, I found it difficult to establish a clear connection with these articles, which were evidently intended to be read in their contemporary context.

Verdict: Incredible writing, but unfortunately, in the wrong time-period for me to fully engage with.

This is truly an article meant for the die-hard fans only. It consists of rambling essays that touch on topics which, at present, no one could conceivably care about. And then there's Nixon, Nixon, Nixon. We understand, Thompson, that he was your nemesis. I managed to get to approximately page 250, but after that, I just couldn't endure any more. His writing style might have been revolutionary and novel during the 1960s and 1970s. However, in the present day, it is simply irritating and needlessly long-winded. The tangents he goes off on are exasperating! He mentions various stories but fails to provide the actual narrative. And above all else, it was just an excruciatingly tedious read. Yawn.

I found myself constantly struggling to stay engaged with the text. The lack of a coherent structure and the excessive verbosity made it a real chore to get through. It seems as though Thompson was more interested in showing off his unique style rather than effectively communicating his ideas.

Overall, while this article may have held some appeal for a specific subset of readers back in the day, it has not aged well and fails to capture the attention of modern audiences.

I am well aware that "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is indeed the "Great Work" that he will be remembered for throughout eternity, and justifiably so.

Nonetheless, "Shark Hunt" serves as a sort of Penguin Reader of the Essential HST. In this regard, it is an indispensable survey of the glorious years.

I perused this particular work six or eight times during the span between the ages of 19 and 22.

If you possess a mind that is ripe for being warped, it would be advisable to crack open this one at some point in time.

It offers a unique perspective and a wealth of insights that can truly expand one's understanding and perception.

The vivid descriptions and the author's distinct writing style make it a captivating read.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of HST or simply someone who is interested in exploring a different kind of literature, "Shark Hunt" is definitely worth a look.

It has the power to transport you to a different era and immerse you in the world of the author.

So, don't hesitate to give it a try and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

I purchased the audiobook version of The Great Shark Hunt. The reason being that I found out Hunter S. Thompson himself had narrated (most of) it. Thompson's verbal style and rhetorical techniques are truly legendary. There's a lot of mumbling, staccato bursts of words, followed by yawning pauses, and then another machine-gun burst of mumbled words that somehow form well-crafted sentences. For those who are new to Thompson, his prose is actually clearer than his verbal reading of it. In the audiobook, he reads as he speaks conversationally. However, be prepared for moments of semi-intelligible mumbling and staccato bursts of words. I really enjoy Thompson's quirky verbal style as it reminds me a bit of my favorite uncle's: mumbled, startling, and off-beat. It's far from the soothing or deep, authoritative voice of a professional narrator. But it's Hunter reading Hunter, which is different and, in turn, enjoyable, especially if you were familiar with the author before coming to this book.

The book itself is short and disjointed. It holds together better in some parts than in others. It's not one of his best books. But I find Thompson's honesty, creativity, and spirit fascinating and endearing. Ultimately, this is what made the book enjoyable overall despite it not being his top-notch work. Thompson was deeply mired in alcoholism and drug addiction during the 1970s. After finishing Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 1972, he was burned out and struggled to write any new long-form work for at least the next decade. The disjointedness of The Great Shark Hunt reflects an attempt to piece together bits of what Thompson had written previously and "lash them together" into a book for publication. This context helps explain why, although this is far from Thompson's best work, it is one of his most interesting and enterprising experiments of such compilations. I liked the book enough to be glad I read it, but probably not enough to plan to read it again in the future. Hence my "three-star" rating of a book that any reasonable person could have read and legitimately rated anywhere from one star to five.