Gonzo

by Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp (Foreword), Steve Crist (Editor)

Gonzo is a tour de force that will take you into the world of American writer and iconoclast Hunter S. Thompson.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Photography, Art, Humor, Memoir, Counter Culture

240 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and author, widely regarded as a pioneer of New Journalism alongside Gay Talese, Truman Capote, Norman Mailer, Joan Didion, and Tom Wolfe. He gained prominence with Hell's Angels, living among the motorcycle club to provide a first-hand account of their lives, and later wrote the unconventional article "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved," which established his signature Gonzo journalism style, in which the writer becomes central to the narrative. He is best known for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, serialized in Rolling Stone, exploring the failure of the 1960s counterculture, adapted for film in 1980 and 1998. Thompson ran unsuccessfully for sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado, on the Freak Power ticket and became known for his intense disdain for Richard Nixon, covering George McGovern's 1972 campaign for Rolling Stone in Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72. His output declined in the mid-1970s due to fame and substance abuse, though he continued writing sporadically for outlets including Rolling Stone, Playboy, Esquire, and ESPN.com, with much of his work collected in The Gonzo Papers. Thompson was known for lifelong alcohol and drug use, love of firearms, and contempt for authority, often noting that such vices "worked for him." He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Virginia Davison Ray, a librarian, and Jack Robert Thompson, an insurance adjuster, and grew up in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood. After his father’s death, his mother raised him and his two brothers. An athletic youth, he co-founded the Hawks Athletic Club, attended several schools including Louisville Male High School, and became a member of the Athenaeum Literary Association, contributing to its yearbook until expelled for criminal activity. He enlisted in the Air Force, studying electronics and becoming sports editor of the Command Courier, then worked briefly for Time and local newspapers before moving to Puerto Rico to write for El Sportivo and the San Juan Star. He traveled to South America for the National Observer, then lived in Big Sur, where he worked as a caretaker and security guard and published his first magazine feature and short story. Thompson married Sandra Dawn Conklin, with whom he had a son, Juan, and continued writing, experimenting with dextroamphetamine and later cocaine. His reporting on the Hell's Angels and coverage of the 1968 Democratic National Convention shaped his political outlook. After Hell's Angels, he published for national magazines and critiqued the hippie movement, then moved to Woody Creek, Colorado, establishing his home Owl Farm. In 1970, he pioneered Gonzo journalism with his Kentucky Derby article, later collaborating with illustrator Ralph Steadman, and began writing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, combining fiction and reportage. His coverage of the 1972 presidential campaign broke traditional boundaries of political reporting. Thompson struggled with fame and substance abuse, missing assignments such as the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974, and retreated to Owl Farm, continuing to write sporadically. He produced The Gonzo Papers, contributed to The San Francisco Examiner, and published memoir Kingdom of Fear in 2003. He married Anita Bejmuk in 2003, and in 2005 took his own life at Owl Farm. Thompson’s Gonzo style blurred fiction and nonfiction, placing himself at the center of his narratives, often creating a mythic persona, Raoul Duke. His political beliefs included support for drug legalization, firearm rights, civil liberties, and skepticism of official narratives, and he engaged in advocacy through the Fourth Amendment Foundation and NORML. Posthumously, scholarships in his name support journalism students and veterans. Thompson remains a cult figure, celebrated for his audacious, immersive writing, fearless social critique, and enduring influence o

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In May 1998, I was handed a copy of Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 by my new boyfriend. 22 years later, my love affair with both is still going strong.

Thompson’s writing lit my brain up in a way I’d never really experienced before. Savagely funny and incredibly astute, especially when taking aim at the assassins of the American Dream, he even managed to make me understand American politics for a while (although this only ever lasts for as long as I’m reading the book).

Since then I’ve devoured everything the man ever wrote (Campaign Trail still holds a special place in my heart) and spent a LOT of time wondering what on earth he’d make of the situation we now find ourselves in. I don’t always agree with him (I detest guns for a start and am far too anxious a person to really live life on the edge), but I’m never, ever not entertained.

Gonzo was gifted to me this Christmas by that same boyfriend and is definitely one for the fans – a gorgeously laid out ‘visual biography’ comprising photographs and memorabilia from the archives of the man himself – that won’t mean much to anyone without a firm foundation of knowledge of his work and life, but that’s a must for those in the know.

I’m far more word-driven than visual, so my favourite bits were the reproductions of snippets of notes and letters, but I also loved the candid photographs and pamphlets picked up on his travels.

As an added bonus, Gonzo has stoked my appetite to go back and re-read all of my favourites. Double gift!

**Also posted at Cannonball Read 12**

[Terry Cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly a photo book chronicling Thompson's life. This was put together by family members after his death, and includes an introduction by Johnny Depp. I was introduced to HST's writing through Rolling Stone magazine in college. Loved reading his books. The only criticism of the book, is that the captions for the photos are listed at the end of the book, and all of the photos don't have captions.

[Gahermi class 5-12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely fabulous.

[Austin House · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great picture book to read, gonzo focuses more on the art with less words and great pictures. I enjoyed reading this and it was really cool to see the pictures Thompson has showing certain moments in his life. I would recommend this book to anybody who loves people with exciting stories to tell.

[Guy Pauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short intro from Johnny Depp, a biography spanning around 25 pages.... and you're off!

This book has instantly become a treasured possession. If you are a fan of Thompson this is a must-have (mostly) pictorial Odyssey following the adventures of the good Doctor.

[Ed Terrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short background on the life of Hunter Thompson. Lots of great photos as well.

[Hell Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a coffee-table book, mostly visual and short readings.

[Morgan Dunaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this. I got this book when I first became fascinated with his work. After reading this, I now know that I need to go back and read everything he's written, even though most of the book is pictures. It was a very cool read because you get to see both personal aspects of his life and his career, most of it through the pictures shown to you. The images here present a story of a man who seems larger than life and drawn to the weird. I did not know much about his political pieces and how he was against the Bush administration, this detail gave me more of a respect for him.
Anyways... I enjoyed it overall. I honestly think the book could have used some more actual writing, but I enjoyed it, and the pictures are insanely cool.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book that serves its purpose well. To be clear, this book is very much an art book. There is little to no text and focuses instead on high-quality illustrations, clippings, and photos. With this in mind this would be a great thing to pick up for HST fans. It isn't revelatory and I would say it's a bit overpriced at regular MSRP but if you can find it at a discount it makes a great collector's item and looks fantastic on your shelf.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

An fantastic picture of the life of Hunter S., structured as a story told through the words of his friends...it goes into a lot of depth on his early life, which was excellent (he was a little devil child), but the excitement peters off towards the end of his years. I'd still recommend it if you're interested in learning how he got to be the way he is, or just want to hear his exploits told first-hand. He as a person still fascinates me.

[furious · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent collection of pure Gonzo photos, mostly taken by the good Doctor himself. a lot of these you may have seen, but not in this size, & many of them are here in unedited form. for the HST completest, this is obviously essential, but the casual fan will not get as much out of it.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its amazing to read the true life of Hunter through his friends and family, not a santitized biography. He was a strange and complicated person at times, but you had to admire him staying true to himself

[Amberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more.

[Erk Whocares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any journalist out there may find this inspiring to write...

[Lauren Soponis · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will pour through this book for hours and hours. Very inspiring to anyone who writes in any capacity. Hunter Thompson fans must own this book.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great set of photos, but would really have liked to see more descriptions, details, and stories of his life.

[Amanda P · Rating 5 out of 5]

my bf bought me this for xmas last year

[RB Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty. My mom gave it to me.

[Linwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

its a top notch coffee table book, chock full of original photos by the man himself.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visual biography, which sounds kind of cheesy, but holy shit it is beautiful.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great pictures by HST. A must have for the big time HST fan. Not much here for someone looking for a good book to read.

[Ml · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read on a strange character.

[Madkropotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photos and quotes from one of the worlds most fascinating personalities. Two thumbs way up, recommended for any Thompson fan.

[Sara]

friend of johnny depp

[Jesper Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this seem to be the best photo book ever

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's better than a HST picture book?

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and tidbits. A must-have for any Thompson fan!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little piece of Hunter history. This book sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. It had to be the perfect mixture of pictures and great Hunter quotes.

[John Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book...captured the insanity of Hunter S. Thompson from the point of view of his friends and family...because it was an oral history the reading was smooth and information and fun!

[Josh Roupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Hunter S. Thompson, this is an essential book for your library. Great rare pics and documents from his lifetime illustrate his madness on a very cool, candid level.