Rating: 
Summary: Still Smoking in the No Smoking Section
Review: I spend most of my day starring into the oblivion that life has become. After reading this book I had a desire to tour the U.S. I wanted the empty sky to be my only witness. A good writer should be able to inspire the reader. Dr. Thompson was able to stir a real emotion in me. Yes another 20-something who is drowning in the worst emotion, my friends, apathy. Thank God there is a writer such as HST who writes about the truth. Mahlo.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad craziness in sheep country
Review: I think the reviewer who called this book a "Big Dissappointment" is too concerned with politics and not concerned enough about keeping the buzz alive.
Which is what this book is all about. I would much rather read Fear and Loathing in Elko over Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. As for some of his old writings being rehashed, what's wrong with that? Considering that HST has documented most of his life, and this book is supposed to be a memoir, isn't it natural that some of his old work would show up again? Whip out this book at night over a cold beer, and you'll be glad you did. Did anyone else find the poem that was included on page 242 (Knock, Knock--Who's There?) to be exceptionally beautiful?
I did a search for this Edward T. Cross fellow but came up with nothing...If anyone can contribute some info about the man I would appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect prose
Review: I was in the biography department of a bookshop thinking that I didn't really need to read another life of Jane Austen when a display of Hunter S. Thompson's paperbacks caught my eye. It's a tenuous link but a friend of mine was an extra in the film adaptation of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", so I picked up a copy of KoF and was blown away.
Right at the beginning where Thompson describes a childhood meeting with the CIA and again at the end when he's involved in a motor crash, the author writes what I can only describes as perfect prose,
"All these things have happened and probably they will happen again. I have learned a few tricks along the way, a few random skills and simple avoidance techniques - but mainly it has been luck, I think, and a keen attention to karma, along with my natural girlish charm."
I have no interest in drugs, fast cars or pimps yet, as with all great writers, it hardly matters what they take as subject matter since they have you in the palm of their hands. Thompson not only tells you about his mad life, he takes you there. This is a classic of non-fiction writing, gonzo journalism at its peak.
Rating: 
Summary: Living on the Franchise
Review: I'm an old fan of Hunter Thompson. He was insightful in "Hell's Angel's" and those old "National Observer" columns, back when nobody knew who he was. I first thought ill of him when he was so pandering to fellow traveler Bill Clinton (hasn't this "political junkie" ever read Sam Smith?). Then last year he gave glowing praise to a novel by one Nick McDonell, a 17-year-old who happens to be the kid of HST's publisher. I read it based on HST's endorsement. It [stunk]. It was a copy of Bret Easton Ellis, lacked insight and spirit, and there were even things in the book that *could not have been written* by a 17-year-old of today. Like for instance, the character buys condoms over the counter at the pharmacy---where they haven't been hung in 15 years! Likewise, another character has a hidden stack of dirty magazines. Kids today have what they call JPEG files. In an interview, the kid said that he had a jolly time writing the book. Well that's not how it works---unless mom and dad are writing it *for* you. There's a saying among all the hippies who've since become rich yuppies. They're "livin' on the franchise". In other words, they're sitting there collecting royalties on whatever wild and wacky thing they did in the 1960s (indulgences that we're still paying for today, listen to any Eminem song to hear the fallout of Sixties decadence). The geriatric Rolling Stones are the textbook example; with "Kingdom of Fear", Thompson clearly shows his membership in this club. This book is more disappointing upon reflection. I read an online interview with HST last year where he was saying that he had "all kinds of theories about the Middle East", and that he had a lot to say about the state of American culture today. Well, that part got left out of the book. It's almost entirely moldy old reprints. The very few new scrawls are pretty lame. He proudly tells how he parted ways with Kerouac during the Age of Aquarius; all '60s people like to hate Kerouac's latter days, because Jack saw the beautiful Main Street America he loved, a producer society, turn into a consumer society fed by the backs of the global poor (today's Wal-Mart and "Fear Factor" are the shining examples). 911 becomes "Where were you when the fun stopped?" We have a photo of HST and one of his hired gals chuckling at the manuscript-in-progress. Oh, and he's extending his middle finger on the cover photo. "Ye gods, pass the joint!" But the real substance? HST just hits the easy stuff. He gets off attacking the Pope. Well, *anybody* can attack Christianity in today's anti-Christian America; that's standard issue! How about insulting leaders of other powerful religions and groups, like the ones that are whispered to control American media, culture and military? It's taboo and HST would never do it. Can you imagine, for example, an HST balls-out attack on Judaism? Even his buddy Jimmy Buffett made a quick poke at Zionism once (in "You'll Never Work in Dis Bidness Again".) Perhaps HST knows that yes, say something truly controversial today and you'll never
work in the business again. It's more profitable to be a stooge for the power structure. Pope John Paul II, btw, was once shot in an assassination attempt that spilled all of his intestines out. Surviving after massive and painful surgery, he then traveled out to the jail where the assassin was and, looking that guy in the eye, he forgave him! Could HST ever do that? For those who have their eyes open, it sure looks like we are falling into a new Dark Ages. They have Starbucks in the Dark Ages this time! And nowhere in HST's oeuvre does he ever mention this stuff: the New World Order, the agenda of Multiculturalism, the John Birch Society, Zionism, Aztlan, Oswald Spengler, Morris Berman's "Twilight of American Culture", anti-corporate theories of Bucky Fuller ... or Lyndon LaRouche, a producer of pro-American political writings of more controversial substance than HST ever alluded to. He's even funny! Look him up online (I'm not allowed to post URL's here) and read a few of his screeds. He's banned from the media. The difference between LaRouche and HST is that the former is after the truth. It makes you think that someone in power has something on HST, but I suspect the truth is somewhat blander: he's just a card-carrying divorced Libertarian, livin' on the franchise. Keep him well-fed with money, porn and drugs, and he's harmless. And that, I believe, will be the sum of HST's legacy, in whatever civilization rises next from the ashes.
Rating: 
Summary: Same Ol' Doc Recycles Great Stories
Review: Is there a Doctor in the house? The formula is getting tired, but wothell it's still magic. HST's command of the language is terrific. His stories we've heard before or are variations on a theme. The real key to his charm is the ability to make every reader, deep down inside, wish WE could live our lives so irreverently. Imagine being able to consumer impossible quantities of alcohol and drugs whilst hanging with the likes of His Bobness Dylan. Sure beats another night of Cartoon Network at my house. C'mon admit it. Recycled HST is nonetheless a whole lot more fun than a lot of what today's new generation of writers pass off as journalistic literature. Why I give the book three stars is for HST's operating from a position of comfort. He needs to climb another mountain and report the view from his perspective. If you're reading this, Doc, you've got tons of great and important material that could use your investigative skills: Sadam Hussain, Ted Turner and AOL/Time/Warner, Bud Selig, REALITY TV SHOWS!!!
Rating:
Summary: Kick out the jams, Doc!
Review: It is nice to see that Thompson has maintained his scathing wit and cynicism after living through the majority of the "American century." Never has he kowtowed to the establishment nor sacrificed his unique style of social commentary. Through the years, Thompson has done battle, both with his pen and in person, with some of the most heinous individuals in history, i.e. Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, Hells Angles, etc. Often these confrontations make for excellent anecdotes and interesting takes on society. Kingdom of Fear is a chronicle of Thompson's years of work as journalist, social critic, and defender of personal freedom. HST recounts his coverage of the invasion of Grenada and the fall of Saigon, his ill-fated political run for Sheriff, and his disillusionment of American politics following the Chicago convention '68. However, the book is not simply a memoir. Thompson shows that his pen is as sharp as ever when he attacks the current Bush administration and American foreign policy. All in all, Kingdom of Fear and one of Thompson's best. Good work Doc.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing New Here
Review: Much like an aging rock group that continues to pack county fairs and other venues by playing their old hits, Hunter S. Thompson continues to release new books with very little new material. This book is billed as a memoir but you've already read what he's had to say in previous books. Once in awhile, Hunter gets on a roll with an interesting riff about an event in his life that will make you howl with laughter while he also makes a number of important observations. The problem with his writing in general is that it only happens every so often. The good part about his writing is that when he is successful, no one does it better. Unfortunately, this book offers little in breaking new ground. It's still worth picking up but pales in comparison to his classic works such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. My final comment is that Hunter has failed to capitalize on his standing to continue being a relevant voice regarding today's United States. He could have easily used this book as a platform regarding Sept. 11 and President Bush's handling of the war against terrorism. Thompson briefly touches on the issue and lashes out at Ashcroft and Rumsfeld but what he has to say isn't unique or particularly insightful. It's indicative that time has passed him by, but many of us will still treasure and remember most of his older work.
Rating:
Summary: hit and miss, but worth it
Review: On one hand, it's true that this is not Hunter's crown jewel. On the other hand, this one is not to be dismissed. While there are parts of this that are certainly slower than others, it is clear that HST is still a lover of the language so that his prose never fails to entertain, even when the subject matter becomes occasionally less intriguing. What makes this book indespensible (to me) is some of Thompson's anecdotes about his childhood. One revelation in particular, relating to a situation where the FBI tried to haul him away while he was in his early teens, explains things about his adulthood that make it seem only natural for Thompson to become the outlaw he is. I've passed on Thompson's books over the last 10-12 years. Maybe he didn't seem to have the devil in him anymore. Having said that, though, there are a lot of quotable moments in this particular book. He's got some devil back and when he is on he is ON, and when he is funny he is DAMN FUNNY. This one is hit and miss, but let's face it, even welterweight Thompson is hard to top.
Rating:
Summary: Gonzo Time Capsule
Review: Sure HST has done this before, but just like any good musician you still return to what you do best. It is a very interesting book, insightful and funny as hell. I recommend this book to everyone, Thompson is still a very important and genuine writer in the U.S. and this book proves that he's still on top of our culture.
Rating:
Summary: Gonzo Time Capsule
Review: Sure HST has done this before, but just like any good musician you still return to what you do best. It is a very interesting book, insightful and funny as hell. I recommend this book to everyone, Thompson is still a very important and genuine writer in the U.S. and this book proves that he's still on top of our culture.
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