Hunter S. Thompson Books

“I consider myself a road man for the lords of karma” Hunter S. Thompson

Three years dead, his birthday on July 18th and a legion of fans left behind. Some new, most old seasoned campaigners of the Gonzo word, lifestyle, the fear and the loathing, the confusion and the clarity. He will be and is remembered as a fiend at politics with a razor sharp wit, and he was an unmerciful critic. The wise would keep him sweet, and only the fool would cross swords with him.

Now, more and more people (mostly young) are turning to his writings for answers or solace in what is becoming a world of political nonchalance and selfishness. Let’s face it, history tells us that politicians can do pretty much what they like, and at worst they are forced to resign.
I know, I know, that is a sweeping statement but I can’t help but feel cheated by what sometimes seems to be a kleptocracy.

Being a fan of Gonzo Journalism and a fan of Hunter S. Thompson (both go hand in hand in my opinion) is not for the faint hearted. Be prepared to hear things you may not want to hear, ideas that seem so strange they seem to be on the border of lunacy. It takes a sharp, open mind to understand, enjoy and absorb some (or most) of Dr. Thompson’s writings.
Not without his critics, some of whom say that his journalism is full of untruth, bias and are nothing but drug fuelled rants, well, drug fuelled or not he hit the nail on the head with this quote from Fear and Loathing Campaign Trail 72

“So much for Objective Journalism. Don’t bother to look for it here — not under any by-line of mine; or anyone else I can think of. With the possible exception of things like box scores, race results, and stock market tabulations, there is no such thing as Objective Journalism. The phrase itself is a pompous contradiction in terms.”

A man who some would say had reputation of being a wild, hell raising misanthrope, but the people who knew him and the people who know him by just his work would argue viciously that he was just an honest man who lived life the way he wanted and not the way society dictated. He was intolerant of fools but always tried make time for anyone with something of substance to say. He was a caring husband, father, son, brother and friend. He also cared for his country and I think he believed in the American dream.

As long as his memory is kept alive, maybe, just maybe at some stage we will end up with men and women in power who are not there for the power and the glory but there for the good their countries. Maybe The Good Doctor had a more realistic view than me but there is no harm in dreaming.

Sometimes The Doc would quote Revelations to get a point across or to fill out an article, so here is one for him.

[Rev 19:15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.