Who is Hunter S. Thompson?

[un533n]

I am baffled that I have just discovered this man. I am 19 years old, and have been an avid reader of much literature in the past years, and yet I have only uncovered this legendary writer a few weeks ago.

He lived more in a week than most people could in their entire lives. Being a rebellious teenager in Kentucky, to writing about sports for the Air Force, to his incredible journey with the Hell's Angels. Living off of rice Ben Hur, and getting stuck in Vietnam with no money.

All of the before Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was even a thought.

Hunter S. Thompson was the last American badass.

Thoughts?

 

[Jack_Uzi]

He was, as far as I know, one of the first inventors of gozno journalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzo_journalism. Wrote for the rolling stones magazine and has written a few books, some whith the title ... and loathing (from wicht fear and loathing in Las Vegas is his most famous). Did a lot of drugs and was eventually dead before he wanted to work on something about 9/11. Some say it was an accident, some say he was killed.

*Edit: Just take a look on the internet. There are tons of docus and interviews to find of him.

 

[un533n]

He killed himself. He left a suicide note and everything. He was the original gonzo journalist.

The whole deal about Gonzo journalism is a moot point, many agree that he is the originator, but there really can never be much proven.. other than the fact that he did a shitload of gonzo journalism in his day.

Oh yeah, the internet has a bunch of shit on him. I'm nearly finished with his postmortem biography titled Gonzo.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Hunter S. Thompson was the last American badass.

Nah, there's been many more. Keep looking for them padwan, as their deeds are hidden from those who fail to see.

Try looking at Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, George Carlin...

 

[Mr.Kitetsu]

he was the man who wrote fear and loathing in las vegas
i wouldn't care if he also is a pedophile, the man can write
also a funny story
he once was trying to run for sheriff so he cut his hair
during the debate he very loudly opened with "my long haired opponent"

 

[Lono Shrugged]

The suicide note was something like "No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun ? for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax, This won't hurt."

He had cancer and apparently his family was ok enough with the suicide. They kind of expected it. I discovered him a few years back and still find him fascinating. This article tells some of the more insane stories: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/12/22/hunter-s-thompson-10-gonzo-tales-of-fear-and-loathing-about-the-man-who-inspired-new-film-115875-20990304/

He also inspired the character of Spider Jerusalam in the Comic Transmetropoliton. well worth a looksee.

I also heard Johnny Depp did some versions of his Audiobooks. Worth checking out as Depp had his speech down to an art.

Give the Movie "Where the Buffalo Roam a miss," Bill Murray may be in it but it's more animal house than Fear and Loathing (An amazing adaptation.)

Some random little facts about him that might interest you. He was a fascinating man and I was sad when I heard he shot himself, but I also admire his suicide note in a strange way. Considering his family half expected it, it almost seems poetic.

Gonzo journalism is so named because in The Muppets no one knew what Gonzo was, so he was undefinable and strange. Actual Gonzo Journalism is like Holistic Journalism and is used as an example in some colleges.

 

[Brotherofwill]

Hunter S. Thompson is a legend. His work with Ralph Steadman is brilliant.

Try looking at Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, George Carlin...

...Jim Morrison...

 

[Antari]

I thought Where the Buffalo Roam was awesome and Fear and Loathing sucked.

Ya, Where the Buffalo Roam was much better.

 

[Nemu]

Legend? Sure. I'm not a fan of his work, tho. In fact, and despite my penchant for liking cult figures/movies/music, et al, I found him to be grossly overrated, especially in recent years. Of course, I'd better qualify myself as not being a fan of much fiction--even if it is "factual fiction" or however you'd like to refer to his work.

Sorry to sound snotty, but at a whopping 19 years old, it's not entirely surprising to read that you've "just discovered" him. In fact, I'd be hard-pressed to meet ANYONE who didn't discover writers of his ilk at that age.


Now, find me an avid reader who's 40 who had never read his stuff, THEN I'd be surprised...

 

[syndicated44]

Hunter S. Thompson was the last American badass.

Nah, there's been many more. Keep looking for them padwan, as their deeds are hidden from those who fail to see.

Try looking at Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, George Carlin...

I have a hard time imagining Richard Pryor as a badass. Then again lighting yourself on fire and running down the street after doing some blow and drinking some moonshine might constitute you more as an idiot then a badass.

Edit: Didnt catch George Caitlin and he deffinatly isnt a badass.

 

[deadguynotyetburied]

He also inspired the character Duke in the Doonesbury comic strip.

 

[quiet_samurai]

I am baffled that I have just discovered this man. I am 19 years old, and have been an avid reader of much literature in the past years, and yet I have only uncovered this legendary writer a few weeks ago.

He lived more in a week than most people could in their entire lives. Being a rebellious teenager in Kentucky, to writing about sports for the Air Force, to his incredible journey with the Hell's Angels. Living off of rice Ben Hur, and getting stuck in Vietnam with no money.

All of the before Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was even a thought.

Hunter S. Thompson was the last American badass.

Thoughts?

The you should check out Tom Robbins as well. Their styles of writing and outlook on life closely resemble one another. Also Tom robbins tried to rob a bank when he was 9 years old.

 

[WingedFortress]

Brilliant man, a personal hero. Im glad that you've stumbled upon his work, as it ranges from being genuinely hilarious to truly insightful.


To help contribute, like Hunter did in 62, Im about to head down to South America to figure things out. Except I dont have a magazine expecting anything from me. I expect to starve much quicker.