Rating: 
Summary: Vicious old Ward-Heelers Beware!!
Review: HST is without a doubt the most perceptive (altered perception of course) political writer I have ever read. His acute sense of governmental beauracracy shines through the entire piece. His biting wit and vicious commentary struck fear into the hearts of public figures for over a decade. Being born in the 80's, I had no exposure to the '72 election, but after reading this work I feel like I personally know George McGovern, Frank Mankewiecz, 'the Hube', and all the others Thompson talks about.
Rating:
Summary: Gonzo Journalism at it's best
Review: An excellent deconstruction of the political campaign process: from the long hours and non-stop travel, to the almost absurd campaigning tactics candidates employ. All mixed in with Thompson's stylized Gonzo journalism and head elements. A long, yet insightful and terrific read.
Rating:
Summary: I'll be like everybody else... 5 stars
Review: Anybody who feels apathetic about "modern politics" should read this account of what HST considered the "third consecutive bullshit campaign." Considering that we are now heading towards our tenth, it is refreshing to see somebody who CARED report on the story. And one gets the sense that there is still a Hope out there...even 28 years later.
Rating:
Summary: HST covers politics like nobody else
Review: Hunter S. Thompson was the original Wild and Crazy guy (apologies to Steve Martin). Attached to reformist "candidate of the people" and peacenik presidential long-shot George McGovern at the launch of the 1972 primary season. A series of foibles, misadventures, and lucky breaks (with HST actually involved, not just standing on the sidelines) help derail front-runner "Big Ed" Muskie. The acid flashback-prone journalist even starts to believe the good, decent Senator from South Dakota might spoil Richard M. Nixon's plans for "Four More Years"... The "rules" of journalism are thrown out by HST. Refreshingly, he wears his personal biases for the three A's (Amnesty for Conscientious Objectors, Abortion, and Acid) and populist reform of American politics like a big, frightening yellow badge. He dredges up the truth, no matter how disgusting it is, and rubs your nose in it.
Rating: 
Summary: "Politics spoken a la play-by-play sports announcer w/ flair
Review: What more could you want? Drugs, politics, conspiracy. Thompson writes with his familiar exaggerated non-fiction style which marks the true insanity of gonzo journalism. He captures the pulse of the nation during its turbulent time. He draws the lines of the factions of not just political parties, but social causes as well.
Rating:
Summary: This book made me care again
Review: I grew up a political junkie. However, modern politics had made me jaded and I lost interest. Between Watergate, Iran-Contra, and the "X"-gate of the Clinton Administration, I had lost site of the commitment and effort that people make to try to get elected. This book reminds you that without people no one gets elected. It is the concerted effort of people that give us our leaders. It is not the commercials or sound bites that we are ultimately electing but the candidates and their supporters. This book gives you example after example of why democracy is a great form of government - the candidate who cares beating the man with political connections, how the effort of one man organizing volunteers can make a huge difference, and most importantly that the individual vote does matter. Thompson is a master storyteller whose writing embodies the central theme of the book - anyone who comes into contact with nuts and bolts of the American Democratic process can! not remain neutral. You must care.
Rating:
Summary: Who is Keyser Soze? Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.
Review: In one of the most bizarre jouralism styles to date (gonzo) Dr. Hunter S. Thompson dismantles the 1972 presidential campain. He expopses Hubert H. Humphrey, "Big" Ed Muskie, and Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon as the evil spawns of satan that they are. And in one of the most ironic tales i've ever heard, Thompson accompaines a longshot presidential canidate, Richard Nixon for a car ride during the 1968 election. During the ride Thompson and Nixon wax intellectual on the current state of pro football. Only to later become bitter enemys. And even 25 after it was written, this book is still as fresh as the day it came of the presses. A must read for any "American"
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliancy of Political Journalism
Review: This book pretty much got me through a degree in Poly Sci. Written while Thompson was still at the top of his game, Hunter reveals all in a slash and burn book about what goes on during a presidential campaign.
For those who haven't done a Thompson book, the concept is simple: strap on a .357, get a head full of really dangerous chemicals, and GET THE STORY; even if you have to create it yourself along the way. While this might seem a bizarre way to conduct journalism, it produces brilliant insights into whatever he chooses to study at the time.
Hunter is so weird and stoned that he isn't a member of society anymore and has no givens. Everything he sees must be tested with the eyes and mind of the outsider because that is what his chemically distorted perceptions make him.
And it also makes him one of the funniest modern writers to ever put pen to paper.
Rating:
Summary: Why isn't this book in civics 101???
Review: If you ever wanted to find out what really goes on within a political campaign then htis is the book for anyone from students to the so called political pundits we are forced to turn off every Sunday morning. HST offers us an insiders view of what it means to get into the minds of our political leaders and the people that pull allthe strings. the most memorable incident to me was when Nixon's people called on HST to chat withthe "boss" not to talk campaign issues but to get the lowdown on this sunday's NFL action!! Who woulda thought that Tricky Dick was into football like that? HST didn't as he was shocked to learn that Nixon not only knew the name of an aboscure player but knew the college too (miami)!!!!! It should be required reading for this day and age for all high school students and probaly the college types.
Rating:
Summary: On the edge! Hey--this cuts like a knife and coughs blood
Review: Ed (Dry like dust) Muskie and Richard (We're keeping the dog, Checkers) Nixon and Humbert (Pleased as punch to be here...) Humphery are all dead. Thank god , Hunter is alive! He was there to record the mean, the greedy, the pols, the hacks, the whistle stops, the dirty deals, the blood spilled and cheap thrills of the greatest indoor sport since cockfighting with poisonius razors was outlawed. One thing about Hunter... he gets it! Mind you, citizens-- this is before Watergate had pulled out of the station, hit the TV screens and was gathering a full head of black smoke from the "smoking gun." There's nothing like a well sedated Hunter tugging on the pant cuff of Ed Muskie, during a whistle stop speech, to ask LongFace about the 14 years old girls that were found in his room last night and snuck out before dawn. This is pure HST. Don't you wish we had more journalists like him. Sit down, crack the cover and open a vein
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