Rating: 
Summary: Incredible book
Review: There are very few books about political campaigns that show passion - for the manic process, for the evil media handicapping that occurs, and ultimately for a candidate that the writer believes in. This book grabs you by the throat and throttles you, screaming "this F'ing matters!!!" The best book on American politics since Tocqueville.
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Summary: Retribution!
Review: In "Campaign Trail '72", Dr. Thompson gets right at the heart of American politics today. The election process and American politics have been pretty much changed since Kennedy, and the involvement of TV in the campaigning process. Funny enough, Thompsons unabashed Nixon bashing and the circumstances of the '72 election seem very similar to the political climate, and state of international affairs we have before us right now. With people questioning our legitimacy in occupying Iraq, and a popular yet extreme right-wing president coming to the end of his first term, it almost seems as if nothing has changed. Or at least, we've gone full circle. Thompson draws attention to the relationship between big money and politics, and the 'untouchable' nature of the presidency. Even though the public had basically all the facts about Watergate, it was basically irrelevant to the voters overall view of Nixon, and the outcome of the election. Watergate was really just a political war, drummed up by Ted Kennedy and the democrats to embarass Nixon, and get him out of the white house. Watergate type scandal takes place all the time...Its just a question of whether or not it is played at the right time, and in the right way...Similar to the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. Thompson's idealistic nature bubbles up to the surface of his 'journalistic' coverage of the campaign (which is probably why I enjoyed it so much). He doesn't hide the fact that he is a complete idealist; just short of a anarchist, I would say. He praises McGovern for his honesty and openness, and openly supports his candidacy (for the most part). At the same time, I think this probably IS one of the most honest documentaries of the political process, esepecially the presidential election. (as many reviewers state...) His idealism brings him so far as to say that he is considering running for the US Senate from Colorado in 1974. He obviously has strong feelings about what America is and should be (as most of his writing centers on) and is realistic enough to know that the only way to really change things is through the political system.
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Summary: New England
Review: Some things never change. Over 30 years later and with a few changes, you can write almost the same book. Scary. This is a work of savage genius. I read it again and again and it never gets old. I wonder, however, just how much Thompson does, or did, drink and do drugs. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: For all the political junkies and potential political junkie
Review: When Hunter S. Thompson gets going there's no stopping. His insights are cutting, his remarks are wild and he's got some of the fiercest intellect in the land. Writing as an outsider he manages to make this campaign 30 years in the past into a vibrant and exciting epic. You might know anything about Muskie or McGovern or even Gary Hart but the sheer excitement of the campaign trail as described by Thompson beats any sports show out there. From December 1971 until the election Thompson wrote monthly synopsises of what was happening in the Democratic party. Early on he began backing McGovern uncertain that McGovern could win, but noting that people would rather vote for someone rather than vote for the candidate most likely to beat the other guy. This book captures the excitement from when it looks like McGovern might have a chance to the despair when McGovern loses big in November (with unknowing hints at what was to come including Watergate mentions and dismissal of Jimmy Carter as a redneck) If you tried reading Primary Colors and All The King's Men and felt left out in the cold, read this book and understand the electoral process in all its glory.
Rating:
Summary: dr thompson does it again!
Review: hunter thompson's insanity and genious are proven in this magnificent book. it brings journalism to a new place, and exposes politics for some of its lowest and highest points. thompson explores the beauty of the american presidential electoral system. leaves you asking yourself, "how low do you have to stoop to become president in this country?"
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Summary: The Ultimate Campaign Diary
Review: From Milwaukee to Miami Beach Hunter S. Thompson freewheels around America hitching a ride on the macabre bandwagon that is the 1972 Presidential campaign. Tugging at the sleeves of Advance Men, quaffing free beer at Wallace rallies and test riding the legendary Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle, Thompson covers every inch of the campaign in this journalistic classic. Often his predictions are off by a mile, other times his scathing observations are hilarious. Thompson does much more than prognosticate and then tell us who won which primary and why, he introduces us to all the players from top to bottom and paints a most colorful picture of all the mundane locales, including his least favorite hotel in the world (in Milwaukee) which would later accuse him of stealing a typewriter. Photos and illustrations scattered throughout.
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Summary: One to be read over and over...
Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. I find myself re-reading it every four years as the presidential campaigns begin. As well as being laugh out loud funny, and proof that Hunter Thompson was at one time one of the best writers in the land, it is also an education as to what is going on behind the scenes, and gives hints as to what to be looking for as the Presidential races unfold. Read this book, tune into C-Span, enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: Gonzo on the Campaign Trail
Review: Hunter S. Thompson became a self-described political junkie from his days on the 1972 Presidential campaign trail. Unabashedly throwing his support behind Democratic candidate George McGovern, Dr. Thompson takes on a dizzying journey from hotel room to hotel room across the country lauding his man McGovern and railing against his enemy Richard Nixon. The book provides as much detail about Mr. Thompson's activities as they do the campaigns themselves, but hell, Dr. Thompson is alot more interesting. One of the most poignant moments is when Dr. Thompson rides in a limo with his enemy Nixon and they discuss football, which is a passion of both men. Dr. Thompson actually sees some humanity in Nixon and breaks down the facade that Nixon and most politicians erect. He shows a human side to a man who is often looked upon as inhuman. Dr. Thompson still despises him and his views, but by peeling away a layer, he can expose things that lay beneath the surface. For people like myself who were too young to experience this campaign and the times, Fear & Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 is a brilliant and amazing ride through the times.
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Summary: Masterpiece
Review: An absolute classic. Though FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS is the better known Thompson book--due in large part to the marketing for the gawd-awful Johnny Depp film of the same name--FEAR & LOATHING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL '72 is far and away the best book Thompson ever wrote. A heady mix of drug-addled meandering and backroom politics, FEAR & LOATHING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL '72 is the closest look most of us will ever get at two of the strangest existences available to 20th century Americans: hardcore politics and hardcore drug abuse.
Rating:
Summary: Fear & Loathing? Yeah, also on the campaign trail
Review: Outstanding!!! Once again, gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson proves that his peculiar way of meeting deadlines and covering the story with nothing but dangerous substances in his head isn't a wacked job but instead pure stealth journalism. From riding with the Hell's Angels to talking football with Richard Nixon, Thompson has been part of those moments that stand out in American culture. He's written books like "The Proud Highway", "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear & Loathing in America", which have become icon classics of an era in American history that we will never see again. In "Fear & Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72", Dr. Thompson covers the 1972 Presidential Campaign for Rolling Stone, writing the story in highway motels, midnight coffee shops and dim airport bars throughout America for over a year. Only a journalist with Thompsons' character and high-speed lifestyle could cover a story like this with the gut-renching details that allow the reader to grasp the political reality behind a presidential election. After reading this book, it's impossible to ignore the concept of the political junkie because he lives in all of us. Or at least those of us who have some kind of understanding that we are not in all control of our own destiny, but elected public servants in their fifties who think they have a close idea of what we want. But what do we want? Who knows? But maybe this book will give some insight on how the political machinery works. Find out that votes aren't the crucial factor that elect a president, they are just another variable in a very complex equation. Just a rockin' good book. Dr. Thompson writes it as he sees it, which actually makes it even better for us. Maybe his rollercoster lifestyle might be a shock for most people, but when he gets his hands on a typewriter, the guy writes like an orgasm.
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