Such a long book of letters.

It is truly a substantial volume filled with correspondence.

I found myself more intrigued by his life subsequent to the Hells Angels period.

Surprisingly, this aspect is only covered by the last 75 pages or so.

It seems rather insufficient considering the significance of that phase of his life.

One would have expected a more in-depth exploration and detailed account.

Nonetheless, those 75 pages still hold some valuable insights and glimpses into his experiences.

Perhaps it leaves the reader with a sense of curiosity and a desire to know more about what happened during that time.

Overall, while the book is extensive in its letter-writing, the treatment of his post-Hells Angels life could have been more comprehensive.

It makes one wonder what else might have been omitted or left unexplored.

Municipal Court Magistrate, Town Hall, West Milford, NJ November 6, 1959:

Dear Sir,

Earlier today I received a summons to appear before your court on November 9, charged with 'leaving the scene of an accident'. However, I must decline this appearance, and I hope this letter will clarify the reasons. By November 9, I will be far out of the state of New Jersey. But I don't wish to depart without explaining my stance.

So, when faced with the option of paying a minimum of $25 for falling off a motor scooter on a public road and fleeing the state to evade prosecution, I chose to leave. I am a freelance writer and simply cannot afford to pay a fine of $25 or more at this moment. And since it is obvious that I left the scene and am thus guilty, I would have no alternative but to go to jail instead of paying the fine.

So, we are all criminals: those of us who skid and fall on damp, unmarked roads, and those others who stop and offer aid to the injured. If this situation doesn't seem blatantly ridiculous to you, then I can only congratulate myself on having the good sense to avoid an appearance in your court.

To Judy:

...P.S. Are you still getting fatter and fatter? My new address is on the back of this sheet. If you aren't too fat, how about sending me another picture of you. The two I have are a little old...

Hunter was, without a doubt, an extremely brilliant writer. His literary works were often lauded for their creativity and depth. However, when it came to his relationships, he was a complete mess.

He had a habit of sending numerous letters that began with a simple 'hi' and then followed with something along the lines of 'haven't heard from me for awhile, I need money'. This pattern of behavior quickly wore thin on those around him.

It seemed as though he only reached out to people when he was in need, rather than maintaining genuine connections. As a result, many people, including the author of this statement, became disillusioned with him.

Despite his undeniable talent as a writer, his shortcomings in the area of relationships ultimately cost him the respect and affection of those who might have otherwise been close to him.

Here, for the very first time, we are presented with the private and most intimate correspondence of Hunter S. Thompson, one of America's most influential and incisive journalists.

In these letters, Thompson writes to a veritable Who's Who of luminaries. From Norman Mailer to Charles Kuralt, Tom Wolfe to Lyndon Johnson, and William Styron to Joan Baez, he covers a wide range of personalities. Not to mention his mother, the NRA, and a chain of newspaper editors.

Thompson vividly captures the tenor of the times in 1960s America. He channels all of it through his own razor-sharp perspective. His letters are passionate in their admiration, yet merciless in their scorn. And they are never anything less than fascinating.

The dispatches of The Proud Highway offer an unprecedented and penetrating gaze into the evolution of the most outrageous raconteur/provocateur ever to assault a typewriter. Thompson's unique voice and perspective shine through in every word, making this collection a must-read for anyone interested in American history, journalism, or simply a good story.