Customer Reviews

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Other American Stories (Modern Library)

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream" by Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter Thompson practiced total immersion journalism. This form of reporting is called gonzo journalism.

Hunter Thompson drove to Las Vegas to report on a motorcycle race and ended up writing a story about himself writing a story about a motorcycle race. If he would have written a conventional report on motorcycle racing it would have been interesting to motorcycle enthusiasts for a few days. Since he wrote a gonzo story he had a very wide canvas and he used it well to create a classic.

The reader might be turned off by the obstreperous behavior, extreme self indulgence and offensive inconsiderate language. If you can look past this offensive conduct and you will see that Hunter Thompson gave us an insight into the American character of the 1970's.

See also: Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library)

I completely enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

Anyone who has not read Hunter S. Thompson, owes it to him or herself to read at least one of his efforts. This is the perfect starting point.

Often described, alternately, as a drug crazed lunatic, a brilliant writer, a humorist, a political commentator, and a popular historian; none of those titles really does justice to him as a person or his body of work.

Hunter was a visionary, while associated with the counterculture of the 1960's and 70's, he is more closely related to the beat movement of the 1950's. His desire was to capture life in action, with a blend of prose and newscopy.

To try to explain Fear and Loathing is impossible, its simply not about a trip to Las Vegas. Its about the American Dream, something Hunter stringly believed in, and his attempt to experience it hanging on by his fungernails. As he would say, buy the ticket... take the ride.

Deep within the mind of the creative artist often lies the tendency to become destructive. Nowhere is this more apparent than in this brilliantly written work. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" describes the effects of alcohal and drugs in calculated journo-prose. Initially assigned to cover a motorcyle race in the desert, the emphasis soon shifts from responsibility to reckless partying. The book meanders between odes to opium, mescaline and other mind-altering substances to ethical issues and social commentary. The book is a true story, which recounts the adventures of Thompson, alias Duke, and his obese lawyer, alias Gonzo in Las Vegas in the early 70s. Generally regarded as a collection of infamous drug exploits, the book also captured critical acclaim for it's abrupt and edgy style, and has remained a favorite in journalistic circles. The drug concotions enable Thompson to comment carelessly on everything from social issues to personal exploration, providing an objective critique of modern American life. The language is edgy and vulgar, lacking refinement and dignity. As well he knows, Thompson himself resembles these remarks and at least in this instance, life does imitate art. Overall, it is an odyssey into the mind of a true gonzo-journalist, chock full of emotion and definately worth a few hours of your time. The brains cells are up to you.

Other books of interest: "Post Office," by Charles Bukowski, and "THe Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," by Tom Wolfe.

Literary gem "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" repackaged with a movie cover to go with the Terry Gilliam film. This book includes the original itself, with Ralph Steadman's accompanying gonzo art, and adds a few happy surprises. Jacket copy for the book by Thompson is included, alongside "Strange Rumblings in Aztlan" and the hysterical tale of Thompson and Steadman's first dizzying encounter, "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved".

These stories are laugh-out-loud funny, and this slim volume is a great addition to any collection.

When someone mentions Hunter S. Thompson, the almost immediate reponse is "Oh, yeh - the Fear and Loathing guy." To review that piece in 1998 is perhaps too little too late, but a glance at this volume, which matches the original with "Jacket Copy" and "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved," is in order because of its complete vision of Thompson's style and purpose. What "Fear and Loathing" delivers is what was promised by "Kentucky Derby," and what it fails to tell you is what is filled-in by "Jacket Copy." For those interested in reading "Fear and Loathing," today, this package will give perspective on the times and reinforce the power of the original work.

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream" by Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter Thompson practiced total immersion journalism. This form of reporting is called gonzo journalism.

Hunter Thompson drove to Las Vegas to report on a motorcycle race and ended up writing a story about himself writing a story about a motorcycle race. If he would have written a conventional report on motorcycle racing it would have been interesting to motorcycle enthusiasts for a few days. Since he wrote a gonzo story he had a very wide canvas and he used it well to create a classic.

The reader might be turned off by the obstreperous behavior, extreme self indulgence and offensive inconsiderate language. If you can look past this offensive conduct and you will see that Hunter Thompson gave us an insight into the American character of the 1970's.

See also: Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library)

I completely enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

That title's not just the kickoff of the book but the state of the book itself. It's fast... really fast. I'm a slow reader and I cleared it in a couple sittings. That also suggests how engaging it is. There's something utterly captivating about what a shameless romp through Vegas these men have and I loved every sentence of it. Part of me is jealous of the drug addled adventure, part of me is revolted. In any case, I'm glad someone did it and they one upped that by sharing their story with the world. Thanks, Dr. Thompson.

Thompson's Fear and Loathing is a savage burn on the American mind. And it should be noted that this book is much more then drug induced babble. It is Thompson's writing that brings you to the depths of an Either binge and back, it will suck you in and spit you out with his legendary Gonzo style writing. However this book is more then just great fiction, it is a record of the last gasp of incorruptibility in American life that was lost not so long ago.

Thompson's book earns the right to called one of the great American novel's, if not the great American novel of the last thirty years.

Another book I discovered after seeing the movie, I had kept Hunter's writings at an arm's length distance because of the insinuations and associations to drug culture. Not that I condemn it, I just could have cared less. When I finally cracked the book open I was sucked in by Hunter's masterful grasp of cadence and language and story. What a masterpiece! A pillar of modern American literature. Another MUST READ for anyone interested in learning the intricacies of mastering our language and its varied uses with skill and deft talent. Pure pure talent.

Thompson possesses a magical way with words, and his writing style is a pure pleasure to read. Incredibly funny and surprisingly poetic and insightful; Hunter waxes on elegantly, with a perspective and intelligence that is astonishing. The first half of the book, and in particular the opening scene, is excellent, witty, and about the funniest thing in print. The latter half, while still intoxicating and good, is a bit chaotic, as the quest for the Dream winds down and the aftermath of the search is examined. The movie with Johnny Depp is also great; it is best to read the book and then immediatly watch the movie because so much is said in Hunter's unique way of talking, that without reading the book first, much of what he says is missed; also, everything takes on a greater significance, yeilding a better understanding of the rapid series of events. Thompson, with this book alone, proves his genius for all of time.