Hunter S. Thompson - Gonzo Journalist

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Ranked #1,148 in Books, #105,424 overall

Hunter S. Thompson was a journalist and author who pioneered what became known as "Gonzo" journalism, which essentially means that he inserted himself into the story. His most recognized work was Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which was later turned into a film starring Johnny Depp and Benecio Del Toro.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky in either 1937 or 1939 (most likely 1937, but various sources will dispute this), Thompson was making trouble from a young age. He joined the Air Force to avoid serving a full sentence on a robbery conviction. It was there that he began to write his first published works: sports columns for the military newspaper produced at the Air Force base.

After receiving an early discharge, Thompson went to work for newspapers in the Northeast. After insulting an advertiser and getting into a fight with a candy machine, he was fired from a job in Middletown, NY, and moved to Puerto Rico, where he wrote for a bowling magazine. He then worked at the San Juan Star with William Kennedy, who would later receive a Pulitzer Prize for his novel Ironweed, which was also turned into a movie.

After living in California for a few years, Thompson began his career in gonzo journalism when he embedded himself with the Hell's Angels, a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang. He hung out with them for nearly a year before they became angry one night and decided to gang beat him in a parking lot. Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs was published in 1966 to much critical acclaim. That book put Thompson on the national radar, and he spent much of the next 6 years writing articles for various magazines.

Around this time, Thompson made the move to Woody Creek, Colorado, where he established his home base at Owl Farm. It would remain his home for the rest of his life. He ran for Sheriff of Pitkin County in 1970 on the Freak Power ticket. His platform called for decriminalization of narcotics but a ban on police officers eating mescaline on the job, along with several more ambitious plans for the party ticket, which included renaming Aspen, Colorado "Fat City" in an effort to thwart over-development. He also wanted to dig up all the roads in downtown Aspen and replace them with grass, banishing cars to the outskirts of town. To avoid being branded a hippie, Thompson shaved his head and starting referring to his "long-haired opponent", who actually sported a crew cut. Thompson narrowly lost after the Republican candidate quit so that voters would consolidate with the Democratic candidate.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream was published in 1972, with the failure of the 1960's counterculture movement as a central theme. It was a huge success, becoming the must-read book for anyone into the drug culture, the downfall of American society, or general craziness.

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 was published in 1973 and was considered the top political book of its time. It focused on the failed attempt by George McGovern to wrestle the White House from Richard Nixon's greedy little hands. Thompson expertly depicted the insanity of a presidential campaign, and even moreso the insanity of the American voter who managed to elect Richard Nixon for president for a second consecutive term. Nixon was Thompson's enemy #1, and in the end it was Nixon who slipped up, getting caught in the Watergate scandal during the 1972 election and being forced to resign two years later to avoid impeachment. Thompson continued to harass Richard Nixon for what he had done to this country for the rest of his life. His obituary for Nixon was given the simple headline, "He Was A Crook".

Hunter Stockton Thompson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in February, 2005, after watching the country that he loved vote George W. Bush for a second term in office. He's most likely in hell right now, chain-whipping Richard Nixon while eagerly awaiting the apology of 50 million Americans.

Other published works by Hunter S. Thompson include Curse of Lono, The Great Shark Hunt, The Generation of Swine, Songs of the Doomed, Better Than Sex, Fear and Loathing in America, The Proud Highway, Kingdom of Fear, and Hey Rube.

Hunter S. Thompson blog

Hunter S. Thompson on David Letterman Video 1 of 2 

This is a very old Letterman interview of HST, long before Letterman was on his current CBS set.

Hunter S Thompson, 1988, Part 1 of 2

Hunter S Thompson and David Letterman, 1988, Part 1 of 2. (In the Helen Hayes Suite on 26th floor of the Milford Plaza Hotel 700 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036)

Runtime: 6:57
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Hunter S. Thompson on Letterman video 2 of 2 

Hunter S Thompson, 1988, Part 2 of 2

Hunter S Thompson and David Letterman, 1988, Part 2 of 2. (In the Helen Hayes Suite on 26th floor of the Milford Plaza Hotel 700 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036)

Runtime: 5:02
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1979 or 1980 BBC Interview with Dr. Hunter S. Thompson 

Hunter S. Thompson

Interviews

Runtime: 3:43
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Gonzo - The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson trailer 

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (Trailer)

From Oscar-wining director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. A fast moving, wildly entertaining documentary with an iconic soundtrack, the film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson's life-his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell's Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, and much more. Narrated by Johnny Depp.

Runtime: 2:27
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Rich Restaino Tribute to Hunter Stockton Thompson 

Of all the video tributes I've seen to HST, this one is my favorite

"Dr. Thompson" by Rich Restaino

From the album REVISIONARY MAN, "Dr. Thompson" is Rich Restaino's eulogy to the great writer and social critic. Restaino, a former journalist, pieced together clips found on the web to accompany his musical tribute. Thanks and apologies to those he ripped off in the process.

Runtime: 7:00
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Hunter S. Thompson stuff for sale on ebay 

There are usually well over 100 listings for various HST collectibles

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Hunter Thompson Pictures 

Day 71: Gonzo by choking sun

Day 71: Gonzo

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JenOfChicago wrote...

Great lens.

ReplyPosted March 31, 2009

JenOfChicago wrote...

Great lens.

ReplyPosted March 31, 2009

Some Hunter S. Thompson Books 

If you loved Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72, you might also enjoy:

Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library) by Hunter S. Thompson

Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library) by Hunter S. Thompson

"California, Labor Day weekend . . . earl more...0 points

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

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

<b>Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas&am more...0 points

The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time by Hunter S. Thompson

The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time by Hunter S. Thompson

Originally published in 1979, the first volume of more...0 points

Fear and Loathing in America : The Brutal Odyssey of an Outlaw Journalist by Hunter S. Thompson

Fear and Loathing in America : The Brutal Odyssey of an Outlaw Journalist by Hunter S. Thompson

Brazen, incisive, and outrageous as ever, Hunter S more...0 points

The Rum Diary : A Novel by Hunter S. Thompson

The Rum Diary : A Novel by Hunter S. Thompson

Begun in 1959 by a then-twenty-two-year-old Hunter more...0 points