Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
By Hunter S. Thompson
- Release Date: 1989-07-17
- Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Description
A fiftieth-anniversary edition of the cult classic of gonzo journalism, hailed as “the best book on the dope decade” (The New York Times Book Review), featuring Ralph Steadman’s original drawings and an introduction by Caity Weaver
The inspiration for the major motion picture directed by Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro
“A scorching epochal sensation!”—Tom Wolfe
First published in Rolling Stone magazine in 1971, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever experienced. The writer’s account of an assignment he undertook with his attorney to visit Las Vegas and “check it out,” the book stands as the final word on the highs and lows of the 1960s, one of the defining works of our time and a stylistic and journalistic tour de force.
Reviews
Entertaining
4By FangsoutFun fast read.No loathing of the book!
4By NYNYDANNYBook was good, I think seeing the movie first actually helped make the book better. Also gives you a better appreciation for Johnny depps acting role and it’s no wonder Hunter and him were such great friends. As whimsical at it may seem, it’s like the real life version of Alice in wonderland, chock full of interesting anecdotes and verbiage. There’s definitely some insight and meaning the chaos, almost a purposeful pulse to avoid conformity in society which is to be appreciated. Otherwise, it can be said that there’s a certain talent required to be eloquent in describing debauchery.Wild and funny
5By pablostanleyThe wild, surreal, absurd ride the characters go through, while cynically searching for the American dream in the heart of America, Las Vegas, keeps you hooked. Also, it’s really funny!A very different but fun read.
5By BakerToastOne of my favorite books. It does not take you through the normal structure of a story. Instead, it takes you through a time in history, and time stamps it for people of future generations to know and understand the vibe and sentiment of an era.Funny, sad, profane, and profound
5By The Travelin ManThere are few books that are both a snapshot of a moment in time and timeless all at once quite like this one. By the same token there are few where you don’t really know if the narrator is telling you the truth, if it’s hyperbole… or what. All I know is this: I find myself reading the book once a year or so, each time laughing like crazy, struck by HST’s. insight, and sad when it’s over.Gods Mercy On You Swine!!
5By Dickiosk MaximousAn epic, fun and enthralling tale from begging to end. Full of good laughs, entertainment and experience. A timeless classic!Gonzo journalism
5By PSY :)A great story told by a great man. Keep inspiring.What an interesting ride! This dude is off the chain, for real!
5By Stoked777Hunter S. Thompson was out of his mind, but what an interesting perspective on things. We digest most of our information from the “normal” perspective and for good reason, but sometimes it is interesting to hear different points of view.Fear & Loathing in LV - HST
1By RVSlkNothing like a waste of ten bucks….This is true crap from a prevailing want to be drug experimenter in the early 70’s….And you wondered where “fake news” come from….Just sayinTop tier writing!
5By JDsail94Gonzo style writing speaks for itself. Was truly a delight to read such a profoundly eccentric but delicious book.REALLY GOOD BOOK
5By DankkdaniThis is the best book I have ever read in my 18 years of life. The first few words rearrange your imagination and set you up for the rest of the trip. And the movie, ohh the movie, it matches up almost perfectly with Thompson’s writing. It’s amazing.Fear and loathing in Las Vegas
5By Losa 44One of the best books I have ever read. I can't believe how amazing this book was.HST: FLLV
5By Bcgx7777777777Captivating and interesting...Savage and witty
5By TimaraBondI've been a Thompson fan for a very long time, and read most of his books, but this is my favorite one. The Terry Gilliam movie version is greatly entertaining but this outshines it by at least 100%, and it is mostly because of the commentary and savage wit. The sense of disillusionment, the horror at the disgusting "respectable "people who populate Vegas at that time and the realization the sixties really are over -- it comes through clear as a death-knell. Read it, but only if you have true grit.Amazing
5By eitRreDAmazingLook through the haze
5By NPRlistener90I recently read The Rum Diary and enjoyed it. It was my first exposure to HST and his writing style. I had always heard about Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas but just never picked up. I don't know why it took me so long. In Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Thompson's style and wit are fully developed, rapid, incredibly thoughtful and hilarious! Told through a multi-day binge of drugs, alcohol and numerous other substances (including grapefruits) Thompson's alter ego Raoul Duke and his lawyer Dr. Gonzo set out to chase the allusive "American dream". Many may jump to the conclusion that Fear and Loathing is simply a drugged out ode to excess. While this conclusion is not unfounded, it is more than that. Through the hazy eyes of Duke we see America more clearly. For better or for worse...The thinking man's acid trip.
5By Grendel321A manic, perverted, suicidal joyride straight into the greasy caricature of Americana that is Las Vegas. Fun for the whole family!Brilliant
5By BeansieeHis writing style is crazy. I started to watch the movie once but passed out. If you haven't seen the movie it's a great book. Not sure how they compare...Great read
4By Calico758Glad I bought this. Helps if you seen the movie but if not the discription is amazing enough.
