I have an intense love for Dr. Thompson's writing and ranting. During the last election, I experienced a profound sense of loss. His insights were brutally honest, and his sarcasm towards politics and politicians was wickedly hilarious. It was truly a delight to read his works.

As a result, I have decided to read this particular piece once again. And for good measure, I will probably also pick up "Generation of Swine". I can't wait to immerse myself in his unique style of writing and his scathing commentary on the state of the world.

Sigh. The situation speaks for itself. Res ipsa loquitor.

At first, it was like, "Oh, okay. This is definitely in more depth than 'Generation of Swine'."

However, then it starts to go the other way because it's more reflexive than previous outings.

And you realize that Hunter operates best in that thin line between fact and fiction. So, this does shatter the myths a bit.

"Generation of Swine" has much shorter pieces of lower quality, but it's still a brilliant book because of how much it evokes its coke-fueled times.

There's an immediacy that can outweigh reflection.

Accuracy isn't the point with Hunter; it's the overall feel of the times.

Probably best to take this one as more Hunter than Raoul Duke.

It's interesting in terms of getting you closer to the real man and understanding him alongside the myth.

Either way, I appreciate a good Hunter story.

True or false? This passage presents a nuanced view of Hunter S. Thompson's work, comparing it to "Generation of Swine" and highlighting the importance of the overall feel and the blurring of fact and fiction. It also mentions the value of getting closer to the real man through his writing. Whether this is all entirely true or not depends on one's perspective and interpretation of Thompson's work, but it does offer some valid points for consideration.

I have read every Hunter S Thompson book except for one. Just one more to go. This was the second to last HST book that I have devoured.

After reading this particular one, I must say it is significantly better than his book about Bill Clinton. I seem to have forgotten which one that was, but that book was truly abysmal. Songs of the Doomed, on the other hand, is a good read. Here are some of its pros and cons.

Pros:

Although there is a fair amount of rehashed stories, there are still some excellent bits of writing in here that I haven't come across before. The hilarious HST stories are a real treat, and there are many that have not been printed previously. I also really appreciated the 20-page excerpt of Prince Jellyfish, the unreleased HST novel.

CONS:

There are lots of rehashed and repackaged stories from other publications and books. In fact, half of this book I had already read in other books written by Hunter. I simply can't stand HST's political writing. It's not because he was a democrat, but rather it's just too long-winded and rambles on about Nixon. Okay, we get it! Also, all of his political writing is no longer relevant due to the age of the writings. Often the political characters he writes about are insignificant ones that no one remembers now.

This isn't really a con, but I am realizing that at age 41, I am starting to grow out of HST's writing. It doesn't have the same edge anymore as it did when I was younger.

Do not make this your first HST book to read. If I could, I would give it a 3.5-star review. Regardless of my review, I truly appreciate Hunter's writing. It's such a pity that he wasn't able to write more real novels as he was a fantastic and under-rated writer.

In one sense, Hunter S. Thompson was a poseur. In another, he was a canny participant over a period of a half century that witnessed a plethora of momentous events.

From the chaos of Viet Nam to the shock of the Kennedy Assassination, from the rise of Rock and Roll to the presidencies of Nixon and Reagan, from the antics of the Hell's Angels to the drama of Ed Muskie and the Mariel Boat Lift, and even a failed attempt to convict him on trumped-up charges.

It's truly remarkable to be both a part of all this madness and yet possess a critical intelligence that could see the craziness for what it was. Reading these letters and occasional papers brings a certain exhilaration.

As Thompson writes, "You could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning.... And that, I think, was the handle -- that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn't need that. Our energy would simply prevail. There was no point in fighting -- on our side or theirs. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave...."

Never have I seen such a succinct description of what the Sixties were all about.

Even though many of the pieces in Songs of the Doomed: More Notes on the Death of the American Dream seem to have been cobbled together, it is fascinating to follow the evolution of Thompson's gonzo journalism style, with its undercurrent of fear and loathing. About our times, he astutely observes, "The stomping of the rich is not a noise to be ignored in troubled times. It usually means they are feeling anxious or confused about something, and when the rich feel anxious or confused, they act like wild animals."

It's a great pity that Thompson committed suicide at the age of 67. I firmly believe he still had some fight left in him.

There is a wealth of gold within the pages of this book.

It contains an excerpt from HST’s as-yet-unpublished first novel, which offers a tantalizing glimpse into his creative mind.

In addition, there is a great deal of reminiscences on the many high points in his career. These memories provide valuable insights into the life and work of this remarkable journalist.

And, of course, there are the usual truly outlandish tales that only Hunter could tell. His unique perspective and vivid storytelling bring these stories to life in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Hunter S. Thompson is a towering legend of journalism, and this book is a must-read for anyone interested in his work or the history of journalism itself.

Nonfiction, supposedly;

yet I'm not entirely convinced that it's completely true.

He really did, however, run for sheriff of Aspen on the Freak Power ticket.

This fact alone adds an element of quirkiness and uniqueness to the story.

Anyway, the whole thing is perfect: it's deeply insightful, providing a fascinating look into a particular time and place.

It's also hilarious, with many moments that will make you laugh out loud.

But at times, it can almost be too much, overwhelming you with its vivid descriptions and larger-than-life characters.

Overall, it's a remarkable piece of writing that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

Whether it's entirely true or not, it definitely makes for a captivating read.

A well-spoken, cautiously thought out bunch of jibber jabber that is abundantly necessary to any place in time.

American journalism, unfortunately, seems to have taken a rather negative turn. It often feels like a bitch, constantly barking and biting without much substance.

However, there is an interesting aspect to it. I also feel like they could make a decent Johnny Depp Gonzo film with a lot of this material. The wild and crazy world of American journalism, with its scandals, controversies, and larger-than-life characters, could provide the perfect backdrop for a thrilling and entertaining movie.

Johnny Depp, with his unique charm and acting skills, would be the perfect fit to play a gonzo journalist, diving headfirst into the chaos and uncovering the truth, no matter how ugly it may be.

Such a film could not only be a great entertainment piece but also a thought-provoking commentary on the state of American journalism today.

This became a real drag at the end.

If I wanted to listen to someone bitch and moan about Nixon, I would just live in the world.

It seems that the constant complaining and griping about Nixon was getting tiresome.

Rather than being in a situation where this was the only topic of conversation, I felt that I could experience that kind of negativity just by going about my daily life.

Maybe it was time to move on from this particular fixation and explore other topics or experiences.

After all, there is so much more to the world than just one person and the endless criticism surrounding them.

Perhaps a change of scenery or a new perspective would help to break free from this drag and find something more interesting and fulfilling.

God rest ye, wildman,

In the midst of the untamed land,

Your spirit roams free, unbound by man's plan.

With the wind in your hair and the earth beneath your feet,

You live a life that others can only dream of.

The stars above are your guiding light,

As you navigate through the darkness of the night.

Your heart is as strong as the mountains that surround you,

And your soul is as wild as the rivers that flow beside you.

Though the world may change and civilization may encroach,

You will always remain a symbol of freedom and hope.

For in your wildness, we see a part of ourselves that we have lost,

And in your spirit, we find the courage to break free and be who we truly are.

God rest ye, wildman,

May your legend live on forever more.

This work is not the pinnacle of Dr Thompson's collected pieces.

However, it is undeniably superior to the majority of the materials that other political essayists and journalists have published in compiled form.

For enthusiasts of the Doc, it is well worth a read.

Dr Thompson's unique perspective and writing style shine through in this collection, even if it may not reach the absolute heights of his best work.

The content offers valuable insights into the political landscape and the thoughts and ideas of a renowned figure in the field.

Despite not being flawless, it still manages to stand out among the offerings of others, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection or a great choice for those interested in political writing.

Overall, while not the best, it is far from mediocre and has much to offer to those who appreciate Dr Thompson's work.

Having never read Hunter S. Thompson before, I was informed that this book, a compilation of his previous works (some published and, seemingly, some not), would be an excellent starting point. In many respects, it truly was. Through reading this, I was introduced to the background and context of many of his highly popular novels, such as "The Rum Diary," "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," and "Hell's Angels."

Even more significant than learning about the background of these renowned novels, I relished experiencing the evolution of his rather unique writing style and marvelling at the astonishing moments in history that Thompson found himself in. For instance, in Vietnam after the war ended, in Miami during the Cuban exodus, on the trail covering Nixon for Rolling Stone, and in Puerto Rico during its popularity boom. Since I am new to Gonzo, I'm not entirely sure when he is being serious and when he is deliberately going over the top. I don't wish to be caught telling a story about him that he fabricated. I suppose that's part of the excitement and frustration of reading Hunter S. Thompson, deciphering the mystery of fact versus fiction. Perhaps that's the essence of reading him.

All in all, there are genuine gems concealed within the pages of this collection. Most of my favourites involve his views on politics, his novels, and Colorado. However, it is occasionally burdened by personal letters, rants that lack a real argument or point, and discussions of law.

Those seeking his opinion on "The Death of the American Dream" will be disappointed, as he never explicitly has an essay that states all of his grievances. It is up to you, dear reader, to uncover his thoughts on this throughout all of the essays gathered here. I truly believe I will explore his other two volumes of "The Gonzo Papers" to better understand this complex and unique writer.

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