Customer Reviews

Hunter S. Thompson: An Insider's View of Deranged, Depraved, Drugged Out Brilliance

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Many would like a ringside seat to the life of Hunter Thompson, but Jay Cowen provides something more: he puts you in the ring. Cowen was not merely an observer, but a friend and confidant for over three decades. Part of this time he actually lived on Thompson's Colorado compound. The writing and chemical consumption that made Thompson famous are all here, but so are many moments when Thompson wasn't playing to his reputation, so that in the end we have an intimate portrait of the man, good and bad. The book's epigram, from Voltaire, says, "One owes respect to the living: to the dead one owes only the truth." That's exactly what you get here.

I like this a lot.Interesting, coherent, one-person view from the inside. He lets us know his perspective as well. Margaret A. Harrell, Hell's Angels copyeditor

Anyone who has wondered, as most Hunter Thompson fans have, "what it would be like...."
Be careful what you wish for. This is a great look behind the curtain, warts and all, from a writer who posesses considerable skills of his own and knows where the bodies are buried. Or in this case, where the fragments landed.

I have read many, many books on my favorite author, Hunter Stockton Thompson. This book by his close friend and caretaker at Owl Farm is by far the best inside look at Hunter I have ever read. Many of the books cover the same biographical details and can become cumbersome after awhile. This book is a look you couldn't get from too many people other than Ralph Steadman to a degree or perhaps Sheriff Bob or a few others. I recommend this book to everyone who ever wanted to get an inside look at the king of Gonzo journalism.

This is possibly the greatest book of them all for HST fans and can be found extremely cheaply (I paid $4 for a new HB and $12 shipping to Australia through Amazon Market Place). But, while I'm here, allow me to **********PROTEST AT AMAZON'S COWARDLY EVICTION OF WIKILEAKS**********. I bought my book before this happened. Amazon's action was deplorable and shines a bright light onto the degree of influence government has on big business (and vice versa). If this review is not moderated out of existence, you will have regained at least some slight credibility in my eyes. Anyway, HST fans -- this book is essential.

This is great reading - an interesting book by an excellent author! Hope to see more books by this author.