Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson (Literary Conversations) [Paperback]

Beef Torrey (Editor), Kevin Simonson (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Literary Conversations | Publication Date: June 1, 2008

In 1971, the outlandish originator of gonzo journalism, Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) commandeered the international literary limelight with his best-selling, comic masterpiece Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Following his 1966 debut Hell's Angels, Thompson displayed an uncanny flair for inserting himself into the epicenter of major sociopolitical events of our generation. His audacious, satirical, ranting screeds on American culture have been widely read and admired. Whether in books, essays, or collections of his correspondence, his raging and incisive voice and writing style are unmistakable.

Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson is the first compilation of selected personal interviews that traces the trajectory of his prolific and much-publicized career. These engaging exchanges reveal Thompson's determination, self-indulgence, energy, outrageous wit, ire, and passions as he discusses his life and work.

Beef Torrey is the editor of Conversations with Thomas McGuane and co-editor of the forthcoming Jim Harrison: A Comprehensive Bibliography. Kevin Simonson has been published in SPIN, Rolling Stone, Village Voice, and Hustler.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What author would you like to have over to your house? Vonnegut, Hemingway, Angelou? Thanks to the University Press of Mississippi's Literary Conversations Series, the question is no longer moot, and you don't even have to make dinner.
Chances are, the contributors whose articles make up these publications have already asked the same questions that you might and have provided the insights that you would relish. Fortunately, Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson (University Press of Mississippi, 2008, $22) is especially rewarding, primarily due to the flamboyant personality of Thompson himself."
Jackson Free Press

"You don't want to miss Richard Keil's white-knuckle account of sitting in the passenger seat with Thompson at the wheel, or the self-styled Doctor's judicious diagnosis (from Ron Rosenbaum's 1977 High Times interview) of Jimmy Carter's mix of Puritanism and libertarianism: 'He'd put me in jail in an instant if he saw me snorting coke in front of him. He would not, however, follow me into the bathroom and try to catch me snorting it.'
Columbia Journalism Review

From the Publisher

- Features pieces from Playboy, Spin, Hustler, American Journalism Review, and talks with such notables as Douglas Brinkley and Curtis Wilkie

- Includes interviews ranging from 1974 to 2003, spanning most of his career

- Expands the Literary Conversations Series --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934110779
• ISBN-13: 978-1934110775
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reference, Reflection and Revelation, July 13, 2008

By 

J. R. Hansen "Farm Boy" (Lincoln Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson (Literary Conversations) (Paperback)

Torrey and Simonson have given us insight into Thompson's mind and methods not found in any other book. "Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson" is more than mere echos of the man and rememberences of others rehashed over and over again. It is the voice of Thompson himself speaking clearly and understandably to the reader with intimacy and frankness.

This book has value beyond it's collectable worth (thought it certainly belongs in everyone's collection). It is a reference, a reflection and a revelation.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the hardcore fans, January 24, 2009

By 

Brad Nealon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson (Literary Conversations) (Paperback)

If you are looking for the gonzo journalist that the majority of his books contain, you won't find it but this book is one that's even better in my opinion...


While I LOVE his journalism I always wanted to find out what Hunter S. Thompson was as the man...

He always talked about always having a burden on his shoulders, as everyone thought he was the stereotype of an outlaw that lives by his standards and not society's. This resulted in that whenever he made a public speech or met fans in the streets, they expected the 'crazy' Hunter when in reality he wasn't. He wasn't putting on a front, but he exaggerated it because he knew it would give him an advantage, one that could (and did) significantly help his career, especially considering all the competition in the journalist field at the time.

I always wondered how that effects him, how it effects his writing, and most importantly, WHO IS HUNTER S. THOMPSON the man???


If you are curious about anything I just listed, this book is for you.

It will show you who Hunter was underneath the skin and away from the cameras.... just and ordinary person with problems like all of us....

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Needed Clarity on Thompson, October 21, 2011

By 

C. A. Foster "the lamper-stang" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson (Literary Conversations) (Paperback)

I hope many people buy this book, as it distances the journalist and the man from the image and Johnny Depp. So sad, so sad do I get when I see Thompson's books with Johnny Depp on the cover... "It is the only thing that will get the kids reading." In my teenage explorations I was more drawn to the smell of a yellowed paperback with Steadman art all over it, but so what, I am slow and not very headstrong they may say...
There is a little repetition within this book, from interview to interview, and of course you are getting more exposed to the cascading styles of each visitor as a trip to Dr. Thompson's home or designated meeting place is drawn and detailed. That adds a variegation to this book, a look from many eyes on this one subject. And I like the way they make Thompson seem all right. Mortal, candid, especially vain--is there one writer who was not required by Thompson to read the man's work aloud, while the old man laughed and begged them repeat the best parts, or slow down so he could enjoy it longer?

Go ahead and read this one. Ultimately you will see it is necessary.