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Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson (Literary Conversations)

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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.

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....

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.