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Summary: Letters from the Doctor
Review: The second volume of letters from Hunter S. Thompson takes us through the period in his career take he exploded as the most famous (or infamous) journalist in the country. Most of Dr. Thompson's writings are in the first person and personally revealing, so the fact we get to read his personal correspondence isn't as revealing as it maybe for other journalists. That being said, these letters are full of the insightful commentary that Dr. Thompson is noted for. He can skewer people with the best of them, but amongst his rants lay a sharp sense of humor. This collection is highly entertaining and worth a read.
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Summary: Outrageous correspondences from Woody Creek
Review: This 2nd volume of letters written by Dr. Hunter S. Thompson covers the years in which Dr. Thompson was writing his opus on the death of the American dream, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Picking up after the publication of "Hell's Angels" and covering the late 60's and 70's, this collection provides an insight into the often twisted genius that is Dr. Thompson. However, as interesting as some of the letters between Thompson and his editor regarding "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" are, the real prize of this volume is the everyday letters that he writes to fans (who want more information from him on how to join the Hell's Angels), his Dentist (who tries to collect $277 from Thompson at once, a tactic which Thompson calls "sheer madness"), and an outdoor clothing catalog (from whom he wants a refund when he finds that one of their products which is supposed to be made from leather is no longer made of leather). It is these letters that show how normal Thompson thought his actions were, even though they may have seemed anything but normal to those he was writing to. Other highlights include the book's opening essay on Bob Dylan and the hippie dream, his earliest ramblings from his lawyer Oscar Acosta, and a letter to mystery writer Sue Grafton who grew up in the same town as Thompson. Perhaps the most interesting discovery to fans of Thompson are the letters detailing Thompson's plans to have his novel, "The Rum Diary" published as early as 1968, a promise that would not come to fruition for another thirty years. Overall this collection of letters is an essential piece of the puzzle that is Thompson's literary catalog, even more so than the previous volume of letters published in 1997.
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Summary: Another Classic by the Great Dr.!
Review: This book was the second in a proposed "trilogy" of Hunter S. Thompson's personal letters. This book continues were the Proud Highway left off. Where did that leave off, well it was 1968 and Nixon was slowly becoming one of Hunter's people to pick on. This volume of letters were just as good as the 1st volume if not better! He writes to KREX TV in Grand Junction and complains about their programming or lack there of, and that was in 1968 and I want to do that myself here in 2001! He also writes Senators, Presidents, and Editors! We learn about his attempt to become Sheriff of Pitikin County on the "freak power ticket," whether or not Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was fiction or real! All in all this book is great and anyone who likes Thompson should pick this one up and prepare to never put it down until you are done! I have to go and read his column on ESPN.com page 2 that is posted every Monday, titled Hey Rube!
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Summary: Fear and Loathing in the Heartland
Review: When I started to read this book - I must admit, I was disappointed. Having read everything that Hunter Thompson had written, I was a lttle under whelmed at first. However, I started to warm to the book as the years ran by. I could picture the events described in his letters - the Vegas book, the 72 campaign trail, fall of Viet Nam, the fall of Richard Nixon thru his eyes - it brought back my own memories of the events. In the end, the Gonzo style of prose took over and I found myself devouring the book in big chunks. For anyone who wants to remember the crazy, wild times of the late 60's - mid 70's, there isn't a better book.
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