Rating: 
Summary: BORING! Zzzzzz
Review: Fear and Loathing is just NOT fear and loathing when it takes a tedious and disappointing turn into polotics and other extremely uninteresting matters. Hunter, what's up man? Get back to the drug-induced random ravings and rantings. My advice is to stick with the orginal Vegas Loathing, this just doesn't compare.
Rating: 
Summary: It keeps resurfacing ... just like herpes
Review: I first read '72 back when I broke my political cherry in 1984. It was my first presidential election, and an older, wiser and weirder friend passed a well worn copy to me in early October. Since then I pick this thing up at least every 4 years as reverently as a christian picks up the bible, because, in a sense it is the bible of the American political system. Going into the specifics of this book is useless (although the revelation of Muskie's Ibogaine additction remains priceless). Take the thing as a whole and you get thrown into the slime, deceit, hypocricy, lies, and treachery of political dealing. No one else has the stones to expose politics and politicians for what they are, and like the un-dead dwellers of a subterranean world, those scum go screaming for cover when the light hits them. HST has written several other political books since '72, but none are nearly as comprehensive and accurate. Open the book and enter the den of vipers known as politics ... but remember to wear rubber boots to keep the( ) off your shoes.
Rating: 
Summary: A no-holds-barred look at the American political scene
Review: Although not as thrilling as Hell's Angels and not as profound as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, F+L: on the campaign trail '72 does offer a brilliant analysis of the frenzied, unpredictable nature of American politics. With the McGovern/Nixon presidential race as its focus, this book gives the reader an insider's unflinching view of a year out with the candidates as they crisscrossed the USA. Unfortunately, Thompson takes some of the transcribed dialogue sections a bit too far and the inclusion of many irrelevant details was not necessary. The book should have been properly edited and cut down by about 100-150 pages. But having said that, the word for word transcription of an interview with George McGovern near the end of the book is priceless! What insight! The last 20 pages or so - the "Editor's conversation" - is also very good. If any foreigners want an understanding of the American campaign process, THIS IS THE BOOK TO READ. From no one but Thompson will you get such a realistic account. Gonzo journalism at its twisted peak, perhaps. Excessive at times, but worth the time and effort. Thompson's writing is more penetrating and entertaining than that of any tradional political journalist, period. Hell, you've got to give this guy credit. He's an original! The "football conversation" with Richard Nixon in New Hampshire and the "Sheridan"/Jerry Rubin incident on Muskie's Florida train are both hilarious!
Rating: 
Summary: I don't know...
Review: I've read Fear and Loating in Las Vegas mayby three times and it is an amazing book. On the campaigntrail '72 HST tries to write a book that has the same driven crazy tempo and contains the same unbelieveable events. But he doesn't suceed. First, it is too long and he takes the smallest event and tries to turn it in to something insane but it feels constructed and thin. But if you read the book as an example of altarnative political journalism it has some good patrs. HST is one of the most exprimantal and avant-garde journalists i've ever read but he seems to have lost it in this book.
Rating:
Summary: politics brought to life
Review: Thompson, who was the only member of the 1972 campaign press corps to refer to Nixon as ``the Dingbat'' at all times, is a master of capturing the weirdness, the facts, and the hilarious anecdotes of that fateful election. He sheds all pretenses of objective journalism, preferring to call things as he sees them, albeit through a haze of mescaline and bloody marys. The result is a fine, fine book that tells us more about the candidates and more about the politics of 1972 than any other available. Probably as a result of substance abuse, Thompson seems incapable of writing in any but the most charged and manic way, which is a refreshing change from the egghead drear that characterizes so much bad political writing.
Rating:
Summary: a classic insider's tale of a demented campaign
Review: The Fear and Loathing for political junkies. This is as good as it gets right down to his chance encounter with Trickie Dick himself. What else can you talk about with a guy you hate so much than sports (except maybe women)? Thompson delivers a sterling send-up of a campaign that has defined the nature of political campaigning ever since. As timely today as it was then.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, but confusing at times
Review: HST's prime was 1971-73 and this book shows a level of skill that few can ever hope to match. But, you have to know a bit about the politics of the 70s (and the workings of the government, so you better have paid attention in Civics) and if you're unlucky enough to be a teenager (as I am) you may be a bit confuesed from time to time. But you'll catch up and figure it all out eventually. Has to be one of the only books in which the author was paid (by Rolling Stone) mostly with Mexican beer and illegal narcotics.Don't try this at home.Or do, but don't get caught.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Book On Politics Of All-Time
Review: And I do not believe that is an overstatement. It should be recommended reading in every high school government class. One can learn more about the mechanics of politics and campaigns from HST's stylized fiction than in any textbook. Forget F&LinLV, this is his masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Three Best American Writers of the Century
Review: To hell with the drugs, "Gonzo journalism," Raoul Duke and all of the other foolishness that Hunter Thompson has devised to conceal his true purpose, the fact is that this man is one of the great American writers of the century (along with Faulkner; you choose the third). His timing and use of the English language are superb. Until last year, anyone who said that would have been viewed as mildly insane, but the decision of the Modern Library to reprint the two "Fear and Loathing" Books (this one and Las Vegas) has confirmed what anyone with a brain already knew--the man could write. Of the two, this one is the better book.
Rating:
Summary: Finest look at American politics published in 100 years.
Review: Thompson is a god. There are few in this world who can touch him, and those of us who've tried have paid a heavy price. This planet is not good enough for him, but as hard as he tries, he cannot rid himself of it. I hat him for writing this book because he makes things that much harder on the rest of us stuck making sense of anything that has transpired after the events depicted in this book. I love him so.
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