Hell's Angels : A Strange and Terrible Saga

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Summary: Moderately entertaining at times, but always UNTRUE!
Review: Having spent a considerable amount of time with several of the Hell's Angels written about in this book, I can say without any hesitation that Mr. Thompson has misrepresented some basic facts. While it is often expedient for the sake of the story to have these Hell's Angels consistently dull, boorish and intimidating, the journalist must -- repeat must -- remain true to the facts. The Hell's Angels of this era also had a sentimental and altruistic side that Mr. Thompson chose to overlook. Now, having said that, I concede that Mr. Thompson has created a mildly interesting world of good guys and bad guys. This book should be classified as a work of fiction, however.

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Summary: I Don't Like This Book
Review: Unless you are the type of person who enjoys bullying, physical intimidation and domination you will find this book disturbing. That's fine and all, but I simply cannot get it out of my head that this writer practically worships the ground these cretins walk on. Episode after episode of criminal behavior is explained away as if it's just a "boys will be boys" kind of deal. You get the idea that the writer has some repressed fantasy that he is living out when he is among these motorcycle toughs. I bet the writer thinks the current gangs and the Mafia are also cool.

Rating:
Summary: Worse Than A Hell's Angel: A Hell's Angels Worshipper
Review: The author of this "sociology" treatise goes to great lengths to show how great these old boys are. Worse yet, the author brags about his exploits with the Angels. There is simply nothing worse than a wanabe living vicariously through the experiences of another. Avoid this stinker at all costs.

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Summary: Gonzo Boingo Baddo Booko
Review: Everyone else can applaud this Hunter Thompson if they want. I read this book with no preconceived notion regarding its author, and I can state with no hesitancy that it reads as little more than a star-struck tribute. Mr. Thompson takes great pains to show how misunderstood these fellows are, and how a few random rapes and assaults are misportrayed by the multitudes of journalists who are less insightful than he. Although the Hell's Angels are outdated and tame by today's Crip and Blood standards, there remains a chilling message: bad people exist and bad sycophantic writers exist to worship them.

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Summary: Hunter is God
Review: sure, fear and loathing gets all the hype, but this is where the gonzo ethic was born, when being a journalist was actually a risky and enlightening profession, when America was still shocked and scared of bikers. this book (as well as anything else Thompson has written) reminds me of how regulated and anal-retentive 90's American society ironically is when compared with the outlaw status Hell's Angels enjoyed in the 60's. Thompson reveals alot not only about the bikers and social mores, but how law enforcement deals with those outside society's "normal" realm. Go Gonzo Go!

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Summary: The stroy behind the emergence of Raoul Duke
Review: This book, which is a fine read, seems to not quite follow the trend of dialogue style of the more recent Thompson books. It is much more of a documentary then a commentary. Hunter blazes off in a convertible following the ruthless swine who were the California Hell's Angels. The book documents a year that took place in the mid-sixties. Hunter tries his hardest to paint the Angels as innocent of various charges such as murder, kidnapping, and rape; he admits of course that they were there, but things usually just got out of hand, naturally. He became close friiends with a few and truely felt that there was an appeal of belonging to the tight nit group, that had more order to it than it was actually given credit for. This was the first point in his life that Hunter habitually used hard drugs, and I have to say that, personally, I think this was the adnventure that twisted our beloved Dr. Gonzo. The adventure comes to a sudden end as Hunter gets stomped senseless by a couple of Angels he didn't know to well. The moral of the story? The edge is out there, and no one strives to discover it more than the Hell's Angels, except maybe Hunter S. Thompson.

Rating:
Summary: great stuff, a sleeper from the HST collection
Review: Hunter has done it again,,,, this is an in your face look deep into the depths of the worlds most dangerous men(and some of their women) since Billy the kid..... way to go Hunter,,,, we love you,,,,,,keep it Gonzo

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Summary: Hunter S. Thompson masterfully defines the Hells Angels
Review: Hells Angels by Hunter S. Thompson disects the infamous motorcycle gang. He defines them with a gritty first hand portrait that seems to favor the idea that they are not just unsavory animals but they are simple loosers wanting to go out with a bang. Shows them for what they really were and not their hype ridden reputation. Also Thompson offers up a biting contrast between the Angels and his "Respectable" friends. Though it is not the same twisted Gonzo journalism that we saw in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas it is well worth the time and money.

Rating:
Summary: King-hell required reading for every American.
Review: This is a profound, incisive tome, bound to chain-whip some serious insight across the face of mainstream stupor. Thompson cogently observes, in perhaps the finest capsule summary ever of our festering existential miasma, that America has been breeding mass anomie since the end of World War II. Dead on the money, Doc. Pun intended. Also contains the best short exposition on Linkhorn evolution ever written, and the quintessential explanation for the decline and fall of Lenny Bruce. Oh, and there's no one on the planet who could have captured the Angel ethos as well as the Duke. Read it or lose.

Rating:
Summary: A great book, true life adventures in a secret society
Review: This book is great, a look inside a secret society few really know of, except for rumors and myths. HST gets inside this organization and lives a life few do, on the edge of society and lives to bring us the story. The misadventures of these bikers are intense and enlightening for those interested in what really goes on in such a world. Filled with drugs, partying, fights and travels of the most notorious biker gang back in their hayday. HST was a bold man for such an excursion and we thank him for risking life and limb by delivering us this masterpiece of Gonzo writing.