Category Archives: Uncategorized

Roadworks Ahead

This site has been up and running since June 2008. Since then it has taken on many forms much to the annoyance of the regular visitors. Now I believe it is time to tighten it up and trim it down to information only relevant to Hunter S. Thompson, his writing, and writings about him or connected to him. I’ll be as comprehensive as I possibly can. There is a lot of information here now but there is much more to come. I’ll be adding it in increments as time allows.

The process of changing things around here will take a few weeks. Now and then you’ll see things a bit jumbled, missing or whatever. I’ll try to keep the hassle to a minimum.

I’ll be in touch.

Lest We Forget. Keeping The Legs On Margaret Harrell’s Keep This Quiet.

No I’m not going all Kipling on you. Just want to keep the legs on Margaret Harrell’s Book going for a while longer. Here is the review I did a few weeks back.

There are folks who enjoy reading Hunter Thompson’s work and are happy to leave it there. Then there are those who want more. More being a need to know as much about Hunter’s process as possible, the nitty-gritty, who helped him?  Who influenced him? Call them freaks if that’s your pleasure, Gonzo freaks. I’m one. We are out there. Unashamedly. And we love to see new HST-related stuff.

Margaret A. Harrell showed up to tell me about her new book Keep This Quiet: My Relationship with Hunter S. Thompson, Milton Klonsky, and Jan Mensaert. Due for release 15th October.This is no ordinary book about or including Thompson. It’s a memoir detailing personal relationships with three authors, the main focus being on Hunter. I’m going to focus on the HST part but must stress that this book, as a memoir is quite deep and holds the door open for the reader. While Hunter is a huge selling point, the book has the legs to stand alone.

Margaret worked with Hunter as his copy editor (for Random House) on none other than Hell’s Angels, his first book. According to Hunter she was the best copy editor he’d ever worked with. The Gonzo freaks among us will remember her getting hefty mentions in Fear and Loathing in America. I’d (needlessly) be inclined to ask myself where does one go from there? Lots of places as it turns out. Harrell clearly had an impact on Hunter, and witnessed the unfolding of the Gonzo legacy. What gives this book more pull is that until now Harrell has never published a word about Hunter. She says The two other males in this book, I’ve written about in the past but not Hunter. Never Hunter. I write this book, triggered by his death.

And so she wrote. Looking at the picture of Margaret on the back cover and the few inside she strikes me as being an innocent sort. Butter wouldn’t melt for want of a better phrase. Their relationship firstly developed by letter and phone. Yes, on their first face-to-face meeting it would seem she was nervous but as things progressed we learn that she has indeed a reinforced spine, and ample psychological finesse, both of which I believe must have been most important when dealing with Hunter S. Thompson, at the same time I must not belittle the mutual care and respect that developed between them. And there I shall leave that subject. It must be read to be appreciated.

As well as tales from William Kennedy, David Pierce and others we are treated to correspondence from Oscar Acosta, and letters from Hunter we’ve never seen before. The well known Blue Indigo snake story is clarified. Margaret was one of the first to read the Rum Diary. There are loads of HST tidbits and stuff I’d never have thought would be in this book. It would be hard to keep going without giving anything away. So you must buy it to know more.

I remember saying to William McKeen a couple of years ago that I’d be happy if we were done with stuff written about HST for the reason that I felt the subject had been beaten to death. He disagreed and was right. I’m glad this came along. Its all new and a valuable addition to my collection and strangely enough it makes a great companion to McKeen’s Outlaw Journalist.

It has been a while since I have learned new stuff about Hunter Thompson. I feel refreshed. It was a pleasure to read and it was an honor for me to be among the first to read it. Highly recommended.

Margaret’s site is here and you can buy the book here, and here. For signed copies email orders@hunterthompsonnewbook.com

A Book of Thomas W. Benton’s Art by Daniel J. Watkins. With Poetry by Joe Henry.

I think it is safe to say that if you mention Thomas W. Benton to any Hunter Thompson fan you’ll hear the words Aspen Wall Posters. Aside from Hunter’s books these posters are probably the most coveted collectibles. Benton though is clearly more than the sum of his wall poster parts. Thanks to Daniel J. Watkins and his book Thomas W. Benton Artist / Activist I realized this very quickly.

This beautifully arranged book contains somewhat of a visual treat of some of Benton’s work. 150 pieces are included, covering political campaigns (Hunter’s campaign for sheriff among others,) activism, painting,architecture, the written word, and a lot more. Also included is a nice chunk of poetry by Joe Henry, a good friend of Benton’s. An excellent inclusion and companion to the book.

I was never one for staring at images of soup tins or someone’s mother (for some but not for me.) Art that sends a message to me without effort on my part is more up my street. It’s not easy to find though. Apart from the likes of Ralph Steadman or maybe Shepard Fairey, and Tom Benton I’m pretty much stumped. Benton’s art is easy on the eye, unpretentious and easily understood. Thanks to Daniel J. Watkins and his resolute, lengthy research I’m happy to have a so much of Benton’s work at hand when the need arises.

Watkins has done a great service in compiling this book. Not only to the Hunter S. Thompson fan in the form of the great Aspen Wall Posters (which are pull-out,) and other Gonzo art, but in highlighting Benton’s work in general, and giving a visual lesson on Thomas W. Benton.

We are treated to a foreword by George S. Stranahan, introduction by Hal Elliott Wert, and an interview with Benton conducted by Peggy Clifford. All in all Daniel has brought us a fantastic book, entertaining, visually stunning and an education.

Buy it here. For Daniel’s blog click here. Tom Benton site click here. For the book website click here.  For the Facebook page click here.

REMINDER! Margaret Harrell, William McKeen, Daniel J. Watkins & Wayne Ewing

Just to keep the momentum going. Margaret Harrell’s new book Keep This Quiet! is available soon. William McKeen’s Mile Marker Zero tomorrow and Daniel J. Watkins’ Thomas W. Benton is available now. (I’ll have a review of that in a few days.) Also Wayne Ewing’s great Vodcast: Rum Diary Back Story is a must see. Click the titles to buy. The Rum Diary, that one is on Wayne!!

A readers feast!

Marty

William McKeen’s Mile Marker Zero

If my Geography is correct Mile Marker Zero in Key West Florida marks the southernmost point of the United States. Next stop Cuba.. Key West also happens to be the place where some of the finest writers in literary history chose to bivouac themselves in a quest for peace, inspiration, good times, or maybe all of the above.

I began reading Mile Marker Zero with the Hunter S. Thompson connection in mind. That idea quickly dissolved within a few pages. It would be a shame to neglect the other artists that this book envelops.

For me it is difficult to write about this book without sounding trite. After all it does “star” most of my favorite writers. Among them HST (obviously) Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, (I’m remembering with laughter a story in the book about an eyebrow pencil and a excellently defused situation) and  Hemingway. Even Blackbeard shows his face. Thompson’s appearance in the book is far from scant. McKeen told me  Hunter arrived late on the scene, but he gets a full chapter — about half of which is adapted from Outlaw [Journalist]. He shows up in a few other places near the end of the book. Several new anecdotes, including a story from his funeral. For me a reason in itself to buy this book.

One of the things that struck me about this book was the amount of writers, preformers and artists covered in it. Tackling a book, covering so many (20+), centered around one area? I’d have thought it difficult to keep clutter at bay. Obviously McKeen didn’t have that problem here, no surprise given his talent for informing and putting these things together. They came to party and stayed to heal. Some just came to heal, some just came to party. Some benefited and some suffered. One thing is for sure. We the receivers of their work are the winners and McKeen brought this home for me.

I mentioned in my write-up Margaret Harrell’s Keep This Quiet that I love learning something new when reading a book. I’ve learned a lot with this one. It’s entertaining too. McKeen’s turn of phrase is relaxing and drawing. He has done his homework and it shows. This is a readers book, I reckon you’ll be hard-pushed to find a seasoned reader who won’t like it. It’s hard to believe this small two-by-four-mile piece of land has done so much in helping to churn out some of the finest works we read, reread  and will read for some time to come.

I could go on and on about this. It covers so much. Suffice to say McKeen nailed it. If you have any respect yourself as a reader, you’ll buy it.

Get it here, here and here from October 4. Dont forget Margaret Harrell’s Keep This Quiet is out now.

Keep This Quiet? Not Likely. Margaret Harrell’s “Keep This Quiet” is A Feast for the Gonzo Soul.

There are folks who enjoy reading Hunter Thompson’s work and are happy to leave it there. Then there are those who want more. More being a need to know as much about Hunter’s process as possible, the nitty-gritty, who helped him?  Who influenced him? Call them freaks if that’s your pleasure, Gonzo freaks. I’m one. We are out there. Unashamedly. And we love to see new HST-related stuff.

Margaret A. Harrell showed up to tell me about her new book Keep This Quiet: My Relationship with Hunter S. Thompson, Milton Klonsky, and Jan Mensaert. Due for release 15th October.This is no ordinary book about or including Thompson. It’s a memoir detailing personal relationships with three authors, the main focus being on Hunter. I’m going to focus on the HST part but must stress that this book, as a memoir is quite deep and holds the door open for the reader. While Hunter is a huge selling point, the book has the legs to stand alone.

Margaret worked with Hunter as his copy editor (for Random House) on none other than Hell’s Angels, his first book. According to Hunter she was the best copy editor he’d ever worked with. The Gonzo freaks among us will remember her getting hefty mentions in Fear and Loathing in America. I’d (needlessly) be inclined to ask myself where does one go from there? Lots of places as it turns out. Harrell clearly had an impact on Hunter, and witnessed the unfolding of the Gonzo legacy. What gives this book more pull is that until now Harrell has never published a word about Hunter. She says The two other males in this book, I’ve written about in the past but not Hunter. Never Hunter. I write this book, triggered by his death.

And so she wrote. Looking at the picture of Margaret on the back cover and the few inside she strikes me as being an innocent sort. Butter wouldn’t melt for want of a better phrase. Their relationship firstly developed by letter and phone. Yes, on their first face-to-face meeting it would seem she was nervous but as things progressed we learn that she has indeed a reinforced spine, and ample psychological finesse, both of which I believe must have been most important when dealing with Hunter S. Thompson, at the same time I must not belittle the mutual care and respect that developed between them. And there I shall leave that subject. It must be read to be appreciated.

As well as tales from William Kennedy, David Pierce and others we are treated to correspondence from Oscar Acosta, and letters from Hunter we’ve never seen before. The well known Blue Indigo snake story is clarified. Margaret was one of the first to read the Rum Diary. There are loads of HST tidbits and stuff I’d never have thought would be in this book. It would be hard to keep going without giving anything away. So you must buy it to know more.

I remember saying to William McKeen a couple of years ago that I’d be happy if we were done with stuff written about HST for the reason that I felt the subject had been beaten to death. He disagreed and was right. I’m glad this came along. Its all new and a valuable addition to my collection and strangely enough it makes a great companion to McKeen’s Outlaw Journalist.

It has been a while since I have learned new stuff about Hunter Thompson. I feel refreshed. It was a pleasure to read and it was an honor for me to be among the first to read it. Highly recommended.

Margaret’s site is here and you can buy the book here, and here. For discount copies email orders@hunterthompsonnewbook.com

Next week William McKeen’s Mile Marker Zero!

Thomas W. Benton Artist/Activist by Daniel J. Watkins

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Daniel Watkins got in touch the other day regarding a book he recently published about Tom Benton and his artwork. Hopefully in a week or so when I receive a copy I’ll do write-up on it. For now you can see a review by Totally Gonzo’s Rory here. Looks like a great book. The slideshow above are Benton’s Aspen Wall Posters kindly supplied by Daniel last year.

For more on the book you can hit Daniel’s site here and his blog here. For a brief bio (supplied by Daniel) on Benton click here. The Thomas W. Benton site is here.  He was a great artist and left a great legacy to the art world and the Gonzo world. More when I get the book.

Nearly forgot… Buy the book here. Most important..