Golly gee whiz, but this is truly wonderful.

I have a great fondness for collections of letters. And this particular collection serves as an outstanding showcase for HST's growth and development as a young writer.

It is especially fascinating when he is mimicking various styles such as those of Menken and Fitzgerald in his letters.

For fans of HST and students of writing style alike, this collection is an absolute must-read.

It offers a unique glimpse into the mind and creative process of a budding writer, and provides valuable insights and inspiration for those looking to improve their own writing skills.

Whether you are interested in the works of HST or simply have a passion for great writing, this collection is sure to delight and engage you.

Better than the Gonzo papers, I truly love how personal these letters become. It's remarkable to see the depth of emotion and the intimate details that are shared within them. The best writing that Thomson has produced, in my opinion, is undoubtedly his letters. They offer a unique insight into his mind, his experiences, and his relationships. Each letter seems to be a window into a different aspect of his life, and it's fascinating to read through them and piece together the story. Whether it's his thoughts on a particular event, his feelings towards a loved one, or his musings on life in general, Thomson's letters are always engaging and thought-provoking. They have a charm and authenticity that is hard to find in other forms of writing. I can't get enough of them.

Hunter S. Thompson is a renowned figure in the world of literature. This collection of his letters spans from his early to late twenties, a crucial period before he achieved fame with his works such as the Hell's Angels book and the "Fear And Loathing" series.

It offers a captivating insight into the mind of a rebellious man who was determined to make a name for himself as an important writer of his generation. Through these letters, we can witness the evolution of his writing style into the now-iconic "gonzo" style.

In addition to the literary aspect, the collection also provides a wealth of information about Thompson's personal life. We learn about his love life, political views, and the strange and often wild adventures he embarked upon.

Overall, this book is a great addition to any literature lover's collection. It can be picked up and read once in a while, or simply skipped through to gain a better understanding of the man behind the words. Whether you are a fan of Thompson's work or simply interested in the life of a fascinating and complex individual, this collection of letters is sure to provide an engaging and entertaining read.

A book filled with personal letters and correspondence?!? Why on earth would I have any desire to read something like this? Well, the answer is simple - because it was Hunter S. Thompson who wrote all of them. This man was, is, and always will be an incredibly crazy human being. At least, that's what I firmly believe. He was like no other, with his unique perspective and wild way of life.

But, one thing that cannot be denied is the excellence of his writing. It is always, always interesting, capable of making you laugh out loud, and at the same time, thought provoking. His words have a power that draws you in and keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

I will enjoy most anything that is written by this man, but I truly think that The Proud Highway is one of his absolute best works. It offers a fascinating glimpse into his mind and his world, and it is a must-read for any fan of his writing or anyone who is looking for something truly unique and engaging to read.

It is truly amazing to peruse the personal letters of a struggling, aspiring writer who, despite being down on his luck, persists in the fight to make his dream - and his hedonistic wanderlust - a reality.

Oh, Thompson! If only you could have known how highly regarded a writer you would one day be considered.

However, that knowledge would have deprived us of the truly humble musings that are so beautifully captured within the pages of this book.

These letters offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the mind and heart of a writer on the verge of greatness, yet still grappling with the uncertainties and challenges of life.

They serve as a reminder that even the most successful among us have faced setbacks and doubts along the way.

Thompson's determination and unwavering belief in himself shine through, inspiring us all to pursue our own dreams with equal passion and tenacity.

This piece is truly one of the finest works he has ever penned.

It is not only hilariously funny but also offers truly profound insights into the journey of a young, hardworking individual who manages to progress from a state of poverty to securing a real job within a span of 12 years.

It serves to illustrate that, despite all the griping and complaining I might do regarding the present state of job applications, things weren't necessarily all that better in Thompson's era, in their own unique way.

I highly recommend this to any budding writers out there. It has truly inspired me and set me on the path to working on my next story.

It has that certain charm and authenticity that can really resonate with readers and writers alike, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the trials and tribulations of the job search and the pursuit of a better life through hard work and determination.

I really enjoyed reading this piece.

It was particularly fascinating to go through his letters and correspondence from when he was a young man in the process of trying to discover himself.

It offered a unique and intimate perspective into his thoughts, dreams, and struggles during that formative period of his life.

In comparison, when I read the gonzo journalism that he later became famous for, it didn't have the same impact on me.

The gonzo style was wild and exciting, but it lacked the depth and personal touch that I found in his earlier writings.

Reading his letters made me feel like I was getting to know the real person behind the public persona, and it gave me a greater appreciation for his journey and the evolution of his writing.

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection of his early works to anyone interested in a more in-depth look at his life and career.

I have a great affection for Hunter S. Thompson. However, this particular book doesn't flow in the same engaging manner as his novels. I was quite surprised to discover that it is actually a compilation of letters. Sadly, I'm not overly keen on perusing other people's written exchanges.

Regrettably, I find myself putting this book aside. The main reason is that it is simply TOO LONG, and it contains an excessive amount of random information. Paradoxically, this chaotic and meandering style is precisely the way Hunter would have preferred it.

Despite my initial anticipation, this book has failed to capture my interest in the way I had hoped. It serves as a reminder that even the works of a beloved author may not always meet our expectations. Nevertheless, I still hold Hunter S. Thompson in high regard for his other remarkable literary achievements.

I wouldn't normally recommend a book of correspondence. However, when it comes to Hunter S. Thompson, the normal rules can be thrown out the window.

As a young man in high school, he exhibited incredible arrogance and confidence. He saved almost everything he wrote, making carbon copies of his letters and noting that they would someday be published in book form, years before achieving any sort of fame.

This book of letters reads almost like fiction. Hunter was forced to enlist in the Air Force as a teenager to avoid a burglary conviction. He talked his way into working as a sports reporter for the Air Force newspaper. Then, he managed to obtain an early and honorable discharge to pursue his journalism career.

Wasting no time, he wrote letters to The New York Times applying for jobs for which he was completely unqualified, telling them they would regret ignoring him (while often threatening physical violence). He also corresponded with prominent authors of the era, sometimes receiving replies due to his audacity.

Included in this pre-fame Hunter anthology are letters to and from Tom Wolfe, William Kennedy, Norman Mailer, and the famous letter to President Lyndon Baines Johnson in which Hunter offered to be the territorial governor of American Samoa, later withdrawn as a protest against Johnson's Vietnam policy.

In an early letter, written in a state of desperation and depression due to his lack of success, Hunter declared that he IS a writer and would continue to write until he proved himself or the world proved otherwise. Reading this, I knew that Hunter was destined for fame and counter-culture glory, but I couldn't help but sense the desperation of a young writer struggling to make it, traveling from Kentucky to New York, South America, San Francisco, and Colorado.

Towards the end of the book, Hunter landed on the best-sellers list with his wonderful book, Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga. But did he double down and make a lot of money? No. He secluded himself in Colorado and took up woodworking.

A man of paradox, Hunter defied everyone's expectations. He was a gun-toting, Governor Reagan-hating, hippy-baiting, Ayn Rand-admiring, conservative/liberal. The book closes, as it began, with Hunter in desperate financial straits. But we know that just a few years later, the classic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas would be written, ensuring that Hunter could continue to waste his incredible talent by living on his iconoclastic personality and the idol of the individual (himself), until he chose to end his life in old age and have his remains shot out of a cannon in his backyard, with famous friends like Johnny Depp, Pat Buchanan, and John Kerry in attendance.

Highly recommended for fans of HST, and less so for other literature enthusiasts. Avoid at all costs if you prefer a quiet life without making waves.

I had to return this book to the library, even though I had reached the part where HST was reacting to the assassination of JFK.

It appears that he was devising a plan to leave Colorado. However, when I delved into the interviews with him after this major event, I found that HST was still in Colorado several years after being evicted from the cabin he shared with his pregnant wife Sally, who was expecting their first child.

I am planning to check out this book again from the library, as I had only gotten about halfway through when my other non-fiction assignments demanded my attention (non-HST related).

Anyway, it was from HST that I was inspired to read the JP Donlevy book Ginger Man. It's so hilarious! Like, extremely dirty funny! It's decadent Irish Catholic humor! My friends, look for my review of Ginger Man after the Lenten Season!

Hunter was truly a remarkable figure.

During the second half of the 20th century, there was no one more inciteful, humorous, and erudite when it came to chronicling American life, politics, and sports.

He had the unique ability to reform the language of modern English, making it a perfect fit for his extraordinary life and talents.

Many others tried to imitate him, both in style and substance, but they simply couldn't measure up.

Hunter was in a league of his own, the one and only.

"The Proud Highway" offers readers a glimpse into his talents starting from the age of 17.

The adventure that was his mind leaps off the page, captivating the reader and leaving them in awe.

There is no doubt that he was the best, and there will never be another quite like him.

His contributions to literature and the way he saw the world will always be remembered and cherished.

This book has had an incredibly profound effect on me.

It is precisely as it claims to be, a comprehensive collection of his letters presented in chronological order. Addressed to various places and individuals, including his Mom, Brother, Friends, editors of newspapers, and even President LBJ. I envision that most of these letters are unedited. Each and every letter is written in the unique HST fashion,彰显着 remarkable writing prowess. How I wish I could pen a normal letter as skillfully as HST did.

I have approximately 60 pages remaining in this book, out of a total of 660-some pages. It has taken me a whole month to reach this point. Some letters and portions of the book seem to pass by in a flash. While some letters may appear rambling to me, this is merely my perception as they were intended for someone else to read.

What this book has accomplished for me is that it has inspired me to write more handwritten (or typewriter-typed) letters. It truly showcases how much is sacrificed in emails and other instantaneous forms of communication. Email has become today's equivalent of a formal letter, or perhaps even worse, social media apps with their "DM's". In today's world, any individual can operate a computer, enabling anyone to compose an email or send a DM. With all this technology comes built-in safety nets like spellcheck and autoformatting, making it nearly impossible for one to misspell words. However, despite all this technology, people still manage to misspell things, myself included. Just imagine what communication would be like if suddenly we all had to revert to handwritten correspondence as the primary means of communication? A 12-year-old in 1956 could pen a better letter than I ever could. In a way, I find this humbling.