There are some real gems to be found within these pages.

The seeds of the voice that has been used are clearly on display, allowing the reader to catch a glimpse of the author's unique style and perspective.

However, on the whole, it is advisable not to read the letters of authors whom you do not hold in high regard.

Even when you do choose to read the letters of your favorite authors, it is important to note that they are necessarily divergent from the main text.

They may be filled with trivial details, but these details can often be telling and offer valuable insights into the author's life and mindset.

The letters may seem quotidian at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they can be quite quoteable, containing words of wisdom and inspiration that can stay with you long after you have finished reading.

This collection of letters is good enough to slowly simmer over, savoring each word and phrase.

It is not the sort of thing that you would want to dive into full-time, but rather something to be enjoyed in moderation, like a fine wine or a delicious dessert.

This is certainly that - a collection of letters that is both interesting and engaging, offering a unique perspective on the lives and works of some of the greatest authors of our time.

I remember vividly that I bought this book in 1999. It was on the very same day that I purchased the hardback edition of "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris. That book had just been released, and I was extremely excited about it. Even though I had only seen the movie "Silence of the Lambs" and had never actually read the book it was based on (side note: I also hadn't read "Red Dragon" at that time. I was just eager to know what had happened since the end of that movie. Don't worry, no spoilers here!).

I can't recall if I started reading Thompson's letters immediately or if I let it sit on the shelf for a while first. So, I'm going to set the start date as the first day of the year 2000. It seems about right and makes the math quite simple.

You see, as of the writing of this rather pointless review, it's almost the end of 2015, and I have finally completed this book! It took a full 15 years to accomplish this feat. Now, I can finally go to sleep at night without seeing it sitting on the nightstand next to my bed, seemingly judging me and my procrastination as I slumber away the hours that could have been spent turning its lovely deckled-edged and slightly water-damaged pages.

Anyway, this is basically the random story of my experience with this book.

I saw "The Proud Highway" sitting on the Borders (remember them?) $5.99 remainder shelf. I thought I should buy it because I had heard that Hunter S. Thompson was an amazing writer.

I had never read anything by him before.

Let me repeat that.

I HAD NEVER READ ANYTHING BY HIM!

The only things I knew about him were: 1) that Johnny Depp played him in a movie called "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and 2) that the movie was based on a book he wrote.

That movie also had a profound impact on my 22-year-old beer-soaked college brain (if you're doing the math and are confused, I took a year off after high school and also had a leisurely pace in college). So, I had been growing more and more intrigued by this Thompson fellow.

In conclusion, I randomly bought a 650-page book in the late 1990s (FYI: in my early 20s, I used to avoid purchasing anything with pages). It was a collection of letters by a writer I had never read, written from 1955 - 1967 and mostly chronicling his time being poor and unemployed (quite a riveting subject matter, by the way). I bought it off the remainder shelf (which should have been a sign that even the die-hard HST fans were saving their money for Volume 2 and the more exciting, creative, and lucrative Las Vegas and Campaign Trail years to come) of a bloated book corporation that would go out of business many years before I actually finished reading the book I purchased from them so many years ago. No wonder it took me 15 years to finish.

I guess I just had a much greater love for movies when I was younger, and that led me to make some rather ridiculous purchases.

Thomas Harris in hardback? Who does that?

This book holds a truly special place in my heart.

It is not a fictional work; rather, it is a remarkable collection of Thompson's letters.

What makes it so extraordinary is that it was this very book that ignited my own passion for writing, a passion that continues to burn brightly within me to this day.

The power of Thompson's words and the unique way he phrases his thoughts and emotions are truly captivating.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has a deep appreciation for the beauty and artistry of words and phraseology.

It has the ability to inspire and touch the hearts of those who read it, opening up new worlds of imagination and creativity.

Whether you are an aspiring writer or simply someone who loves to lose themselves in the written word, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

So, pick up this book and embark on a journey through the mind and heart of Thompson, and discover the magic that lies within these pages.

Hunter S. Thompson is a classic and iconic figure in the world of literature and journalism.

His unique style, characterized by gonzo journalism, combined elements of personal experience, wild storytelling, and a fearless approach to truth-telling.

Thompson's works, such as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," became instant classics, captivating readers with their vivid descriptions and unapologetic exploration of the counterculture.

He was not afraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in journalism.

Thompson's writing was filled with passion, energy, and a sense of adventure that made him a beloved and influential figure among generations of readers.

His legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers and journalists to break free from the constraints of traditional journalism and tell their own stories in their own unique voices.

Overall, Hunter S. Thompson is a true classic whose work will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

I truly love this particular piece.

It offers a remarkable glimpse into Thompson's writing during a time when he was simply a regular, albeit somewhat eccentric, individual. This was long before he descended into the realm of being a drugged-out lunatic.

The editing of this work is done extremely well. There are small paragraphs inserted before each letter that provide crucial context, enhancing the overall understanding and enjoyment of the reading experience.

As one delves into it, it feels very much like an autobiography, allowing the reader to intimately connect with Thompson's thoughts, emotions, and experiences as they unfold through his letters.

It's a fascinating and engaging read that gives a unique perspective on the evolution of Thompson as a writer and a person.

I read this passage after finishing "Hell's Angels", which I really enjoyed. He saved every letter. He was a passionate, intelligent, and impulsive person, and his letter writing was as good as his best published works. I highlighted many quotes in it. He was a complex individual, not easily classified. He was a member of the NRA, a fierce opponent of the Vietnam War, a friend of Ginsberg, and an Air Force veteran. He was able and willing to offend with his language and was afraid of a fascist future represented by Reagan and Nixon. He loved and hated. He probably suffered from manic depression. He would land big publishing contracts and then stop writing. He was terrible at the business of writing, losing money and struggling to find publishers, agents, and editors he could work with. He really, really liked guns. As they say, he wore his heart on his sleeve. He was really funny. I would have liked to have met the guy. I saved quite a few to-read books that he mentioned and immediately jumped to one of his favorite authors, William Styron, but a book that was published after Thompson died, "Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness". They had something in common; self-destructive tendencies and a cessation of passion when the darkness came. There are unique people in the world. I liked this quote in response to a 14-year-old boy who read "Hells Angels" and wanted to join the gang as soon as he could. "When I was 14, I was a wild, half-wit punk who caused a lot of trouble and wanted to tear the world in half if for no other reason than it didn't seem to fit me too well. Now, looking back on it, I don't think I'd change much of what I did in those days... but I've also learned at least one crucially important thing since then. And that's the idea of making your own pattern, not falling into grooves that other people made. Remember that if you can do one thing better than anybody, it'll make life a hell of a lot easier for you in this world—which is a pretty mean world, when you get to know it, and a lot of people in it can ride big Harleys... especially in California. The best of the Angels—the guys you might want to sit down and talk to—have almost all played that game for a while and then quit for something better. The ones who are left are almost all the kind who can't do anything else, and they're not much fun to talk to. They're not smart, or funny, or brave, or even original. They're just Old Punks, and that's a lot worse than being a Young Punk. They're not even happy; most of them hate the lives they lead, but they can't afford to admit it because they don't know where else to go, or what else to do. That's what makes them mean... and it also makes them useless, because there's already a big oversupply of mean bastards in this world." Thompson, Hunter S.. Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967 (Gonzo Letters) (pp. 627-628). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Hunter S. Thompson was truly a remarkable and enigmatic figure. His writing style was unique and captivating, drawing readers in with his raw and unfiltered perspective. Through his letters, we get a glimpse into his complex personality and the many contradictions that defined him. He was both a rebel and a patriot, a lover and a hater. His views on society, politics, and culture were often controversial, but always thought-provoking. The quote he gave to the 14-year-old boy is particularly poignant, as it offers a word of advice and caution to those who may be tempted to follow in the footsteps of the Hell's Angels. Thompson understood the allure of the gang lifestyle, but he also knew that it was a dead end. He encouraged the boy to find his own path in life and to not be afraid to be different. This is a message that still holds true today, in a world that often seems to value conformity over individuality. Thompson's legacy lives on through his writing, which continues to inspire generations of readers to think outside the box and to question the status quo.

Where to begin?

This tome truly came as a pleasant surprise to me. Initially, I didn't hold high expectations. After all, it is merely a collection of letters from Hunter S. In most cases, it lacks the opposing correspondence, which is like only hearing half of a conversation.

And yet, despite not being intended to be a book in their original composition, these letters offer a rather captivating and authentic narrative of the late fifties and 1960s. Effectively, it serves as an early memoir of the author himself.

Few of us can deliberately pen better books, let alone achieve such a feat accidentally.

These letters seem to have a charm of their own, drawing the reader into a bygone era and providing a unique perspective on the author's life and times.

It's a testament to the power of words and the unexpected ways in which they can come together to create something truly remarkable.

Whether you're a fan of Hunter S or simply interested in a different kind of literary experience, this collection of letters is well worth exploring.

You might just be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

As a competent journalist, I do, of necessity, 'dig facts.' I also dig money, Jack Daniels, and a fast-breaking job." ~ Hunter S. Thompson.

This collection of personal letters written by Hunter S. Thompson spans from 1955, when he was an airman in the Air Force, until 1967, shortly after the publication of his first book, "Hell's Angels, The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs." It serves as a remarkable diary of a young man who struggled to hold a job yet possessed remarkable writing skills. It details his arduous journey (ultimately successful) to establish himself as a writer.

This is not the gonzo journalism that many anticipate when reading Thompson, but his attitude was already evident in his writing as early as 1955, long before the emergence of gonzo journalism. I would describe him as a brilliant writer with a rather bad attitude. Surprisingly, I also found him to be a bigot. Perhaps the cultural context of the 60s permitted a more liberal use of language. Maybe the n-word wasn't as inflammatory then as it is today. Or perhaps he simply didn't care.
Thompson was a devotee of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the introduction to this book asserts that he emulated Fitzgerald's style in his writing. However, I don't perceive that resemblance. Nevertheless, Thompson did discuss Fitzgerald in several of his letters and harbored the aspiration that one day he might become "the Fitzgerald of his time." I believe he not only achieved that but more. Now, I am eager to read the "Hell's Angels" book. It has endured for 40 years, and now, I am determined to explore its pages.

A collection of letters penned by Thompson during the nascent stage of his journalism career has come to light. Thompson, meticulous in his record-keeping, safeguarded all of these missives. He entrusted his attorney, who was responsible for handling his estate, with the task of sifting through the letters and providing assistance in their publication. This collection offers a unique window into Thompson's life, allowing readers to gain insights into his early experiences, thoughts, and aspirations. It is an invaluable resource for those interested in delving deeper into the life and times of this renowned journalist. Whether you are a budding journalist seeking inspiration or a curious reader eager to learn more about Thompson, these letters are sure to captivate and enlighten.

This is a remarkable book that caters specifically to those individuals who have an unwavering love for literature, with a particular emphasis on the work of Hunter S Thompson. The hundreds of letters that comprise this volume offer a fascinating glimpse into his multifaceted moods and his unwavering honesty.

Thompson was known for his incisive criticism, both of himself and others, yet it was never delivered in a malicious or nasty manner. True, he could at times be an absolute pain in the arse, but there was always a sense that if his rudeness was directed towards those he cared about, he would offer an apology. Those who were held accountable without mercy were typically unimaginative dolts who were bereft of creative ideas.

Of course, I admit to being biased. Many people will likely find Hunter S Thompson abrasive and reckless. However, I, on the other hand, find his honesty to be truly refreshing and I am deeply thankful for his undeniable brilliance. His unique perspective and unfiltered approach to life and writing make him a truly captivating figure, and this book serves as a wonderful testament to his literary genius.

A good book is like a precious treasure that holds the power to transport us to different worlds, expand our knowledge, and touch our hearts. It can be a source of inspiration, a means of escape from reality, or a tool for self-discovery. Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, a thought-provoking non-fiction work, or a classic piece of literature, a good book has the ability to captivate our attention and leave a lasting impression. It can make us laugh, cry, think deeply, and see the world from a different perspective. A good book is not just a collection of words on a page; it is a living, breathing entity that has the power to change our lives.

Hunter S. Thompson, the man who stands behind his own brilliance.

I have a plethora of favorite authors, yet Thompson reigns supreme at the very peak.

These letters of correspondence offer a fascinating glimpse into the world that Thompson inhabited, as he toiled away over a typewriter, feverishly in pursuit of literary renown.

His writing is a unique blend of hilarious anecdotes, brutal honesty, and shocking revelations. It is always unwaveringly honest, laying bare the truth without any sugarcoating.

I am determined to impose this read upon everyone I know, and indeed upon all those who should have the pleasure of experiencing his work.

Believe me, you will enjoy it. It is an experience like no other, one that will leave you captivated and enlightened.