Gonzo: The Art [Hardcover]

Ralph Steadman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998

A three-decade retrospective of Ralph Steadman’s caustic, witty, outrageous art-including illustrations from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and the other legendary collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson that spawned gonzo journalism. Illustrated throughout in color and black-and-white, with an introduction by Hunter S. Thompson.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hunter S. Thompson, in his drunken, rambling introduction to this volume of paintings and illustrations, calls Ralph Steadman "the Albert Gore of twentieth century art." It's hard to imagine a less apt appellation: Steadman's drawings and paintings are the wild antithesis of the notoriously stiff V.P. His pop art is also the opposite of Warhol's clean lines and soulless imagery; it screams with pain and nightmare power. While Steadman is best known for his illustrations to Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and other works, here his art is given free rein, and works with titles like "Earliest man, full of the sense of his own worth, screaming into the blackness, needing no god but himself..." and "Good time crucifix" combine Steadman's trademark splattered ink and unfolded figures with collage and sloppy airbrush. Although the text may offend those with no sense of irony (Thompson compares Steadman to artist manqué Adolf Hitler; Steadman relates the story of his first bowel movement), the hyperactive visuals are sure to delight even those who've never snorted ether while tripping on pure human adrenochrome. --James DiGiovanna

From Library Journal

From the illustrator who collaborated with Hunter S. Thompson to redefine journalism: a comprehensive compendium.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1St Edition edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0151003874
• ISBN-13: 978-0151003877
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a brilliant sensory experience, August 15, 2000

By 

Funkmeister G - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gonzo: The Art (Hardcover)

Often in the shadow of collaborator Thompson, Steadman here gets to be the star & rightly so even though the good Gonzo doc does show up a few times. He has had other volumes out as well but this seems to be his greatest hits package or something, from various eras. Psychedelic spinning eyeballs, dripping blood, pliticians, decay & newspaper cuttings gloriously meshed together into true revelation. His styles do change & themes do too. He recounts that despite people thinking he was present for the escapades in the great Red Shark in Las Vegas, Ralph says he's never be mad enough to get in a car w/ hunter S. Thompson & also the difference w/ him being English & Hunter being extremely American. Anyway this was on the shelf next to Jean-Michel Basquiat & if anyone's getting art books I would thoroughly recommend both. BAD CRAZINESS!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plastered from the master., January 7, 2005

By 

Kyle Mole "Fingers" (U.K.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gonzo: The Art (Hardcover)

Having had, as many people did, my first taste of Ralph via Hunter S Thompson's books, I found this to be a great introduction to the Hyperactive and frantic style of a dude who is probably my favourite artist. This has a forward by Hunter, gives great colour examples of his works in the realm of Gonzo, and also has many written, poetical works, and songs. My fave piece is 'Stand up and be counted.' IE: The maverick beast will ALWAYS raise his head in the crowd. A perfect definition of Gonzo.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspirational, May 5, 2001

By 

Xam "mixed media man" (nyc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gonzo: The Art (Hardcover)

Ralph Steadman has proven to be one the most interesting and inventive artists of the late 20th century. He certainly has a cult appeal amongst Hunter Thompson fans, which is how i got turned on to his art. But upon purchasing this book i was truly amazed at how awesome all of his stuff is, this guy is truly inspirational. He has an original style, or at least as original as it gets. His writings and commentaries are funny and interesting as well. The book also has a great intro by Hunter. I'm an artist myself and this book really got my mind and imagination going. Steadman's got such a definitive look and style, which can only be summed up in one word: 'Gonzo'. I love this book and have looked through it many many times. I believe Steadman is one of the best artists living today, and is an inspiration to anyone trying to create something new and different.