The Proud Highway: Fear and Loathing Letters: 1955-67, Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman v. 1 (The Fear & Loathing Letters)
by Hunter S. Thompson
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Municipal Court Magistrate, Town Hall, West Milford, NJ November 6, 1959:
"Dear Sir,
Earlier today I was given a summons to appear before your court on November 9, on a charge of 'leaving the scene of an accident.' I shall have to decline this appearance, and I hope this letter will explain why. By November 9, I shall be well out of the state of New Jersey, but I don't want to leave without explaining my position..."
"So, faced with a choice of paying a minimum of $25...more
"Dear Sir,
Earlier today I was given a summons to appear before your court on November 9, on a charge of 'leaving the scene of an accident.' I shall have to decline this appearance, and I hope this letter will explain why. By November 9, I shall be well out of the state of New Jersey, but I don't want to leave without explaining my position..."
"So, faced with a choice of paying a minimum of $25...more
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Read in June, 2000
This may be my favorite Hunter Thompson book. It's a collection of letters (he saved carbons of everything he ever wrote) from a young writer, not yet proven, but cocksure and brash as they come. He reaches out to publishers, politicians, and friends as he begins to carve a niche as a journalist and novelist.
It's his most honest writing, and as all these letters were written before his legend had surpassed his talent, you don't get the 'Gonzo' treatment, or the lazy indignation that fuel...more
It's his most honest writing, and as all these letters were written before his legend had surpassed his talent, you don't get the 'Gonzo' treatment, or the lazy indignation that fuel...more
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Read in January, 2002
I first picked up this book BEFORE reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (but after I had actually seen the movie). These letters are a treasure of watching one of America's most celebrated, outrageous authors develop from his very early days in high school through the air force to newspaper jobs and finally his jaunt out to San Francisco. I read these a while ago, but I laughed, I got angry, I vigorously agreed with sentiments, and I marveled at what an intense correspondent Hunter was with ...more
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Read in January, 1998
This was kind of interesting, if you want to get a more personal look at this madman. Lots of the letters are pretty trivial though. One point I found interesting: he used the word "orgy" repeatedly in his letters to describe what I assume to be what we referred to as a "party" in college. In addition to this, he apparently made carbon copies of all his letters from day one, because he knew at some point someone would want to publish an 8lb bound manuscript of all his lett...more
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Read in February, 2004
A collection of Hunter S. Thompson's letters from his early to late twenties, before he became famous for his Hell's Angels book and "Fear And Loathing" series. A fascinating account of a rebellious man's attempt to become an important writer for his generation. We can see his writing style evolve into the now-famous "gonzo" style. Extras include loads of information regarding his love life, political views, and strange adventures. A good book to pick up once in a while o
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This book is a collection of old letters that Hunter Thompson, the ultimate loon and rebel, wrote during his coming of age. It's interesting to see what an independent thinker like Thompson did with his life and his amusing use of the English language is sure to inspire chuckles. Anyone who has struggled with art, creativity and individuality against the need for security and acceptance in the world should read this book. It should be required reading for college freshman.
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A wonderful memoir that captures the time period before Thompson became a famous and renowned writer. There are glimpses throughout of genius that will later manifest itself, but for the most part, these letters cover Thompson as a young man in the Air Force and then as a struggling writer, always dealing with adversity in someway shape or form. A must read for anyone who's a fan of his work, or someone who'd like to become a writer.
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
fans of HST, fans of writing, fans of journalism
i started reading this when i was working w/ Suave at the library in glassboro over winter break junior year of college, & then i didn't pick it up again until about a month ago. now i am taking it slow, because it is fantastic. and i remember how quickly i devoured the letters volume 2 (Fear & Loathing in America). i wish i had had the foresight to save a copy of every word i ever wrote...
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I am now reading this book for the sixth time, and am still finding interesting facts, sarcastic quips, political insight, and personal wisdom. HST spreads his genius on every page. The more I read his work, the more I come to appreciate him.
Well, I read it again, and I have come away from it with more insight and understanding. His work never fails me...
Well, I read it again, and I have come away from it with more insight and understanding. His work never fails me...
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All 3 volumes are great. This one covers the early correspondence of a young author and his struggle to make a living. Its pretty funny he writes about whats going on in letters to his various friends and debtors. He has numerous wild stories including one where he relates a story about getting his land lord arrested to his mother. Its a fun read.
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Read in January, 2003
One of my all time favorites. A collection of letters from an author who expresses himself like HST lets all the fans see the extreme passion he had from the very beginning. The reader is able to watch him grow from a hustling article writer to the author of Hell's Angels and touches on the original ideas that eventuall became Fear and Loathing.
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Read in May, 1999
A collection of letters from Gonzo author Hunter Thompson, covering the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's. Fans of political correctness will be dismayed by his liberal use of the (gasp!) N-word! oh dear!
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Read in May, 2004
A collection of letters that Thompson wrote from when he was just beginning in the journalism field. Thompson kept all of his letters and gave his attorney in charge of his estate permission to sort them out and help him publish them. Good if you want to learn about Thompsons life.
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
Writers, drunks, political junkies, socialists, admirers of epistolary.
Extremely insightful look at Hunter Thompson's private life and ambition through his letters. He truly wanted to be a great American novelist on a par with Hemingway. This book covers '55 through '67. You can see the transition to Gonzo and how would never be able to escape it.
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Any good emailer would love this book. He's ten times the letter writer than he was a novelist, although one might wonder if any letter returned was as good as any he wrote. It's really a surprise how entertaining it is just to read Hunter's half of correspondence.
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Read in July, 2007
I love this because it really showcases Thompson's writing from when he was just a regular lunatic, before he became a drugged-out lunatic. It is edited really well, with small context-giving paragraphs before each letter, and reads like an autobiography.
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Checked it out from the public library and renewed it several times and failed to renew it several times more. I love this book because it sort of fleshes out the persona that Thompson created for himself, you end up seeing more of Hunter than Raoul Duke.
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Awesome. Volume 1 of the Doctor's personal correspondences, in the days before he became "Raoul Duke". Insightful, and a fascinating look at the drive and tenancity required to be a writer.
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Read in February, 1999
I love the good doctor but, let's face it, both stars here are due to a single tempestuous missive sent to RJ Reynolds regarding Kools cigarettes. Is this series ever to be completed, btw?
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Gives different and sometimes surprising insights into Thompson. It's hard to be surprised by anything related to HST, but some of these correspondences will surprise you.
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