Ransoming Pagan Babies: The Selected Writings of Warren Hinckle

by Warren Hinckle

From his galvanizing exposés in Ramparts magazine to his hand in inventing gonzo, Warren Hinckle upended twentieth-century investigative reporting and gave it new provocation and zest. In the first career-spanning collection of writings by this key figure of American journalism, Ransoming Pagan Babies contains an astonishing thematic sweep: Joseph Mitchell–esque portraits of old San Francisco and its characters; insightful reporting on conflicts in Selma, Northern Ireland, and Vietnam; forays into local politics; and piercing depictions of a Bay Area riven by inequality and assassination. Reading Hinckle drops the reader into the heart of history—and, just as importantly, it’s fun. Hinckle wrote about his subjects with bluster, tenacity, heart, and a desire for adventure and justice. This book is the first to capture his swashbuckling energy and expansive talent in a single volume.

552 pages, Hardcover

Published February 6, 2018

Reviews

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked this book out to read a few of the chapters that I was interested in. Each chapter was from a newspaper article that Hinckle had written in the late 1960's-1980's and so on. There is further enlightenment on some issues that were published in other media in those years --Selma, the Vietnam involvement, hippies, Jim Jones, the murders of Moscone and Milk, and other issues. Of course, Hinckle was probably putting his own bent and/or prejudice on the reporting. I wasn't as interested when the next chapter was more of the same-o. I also didn't like some of the nitty-gritty writing.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

great collection of writings by Hinckle from 1965-2005. a 4.8

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant, old-school writing. But this anthology is a little too much for one sitting. Returned it to the library; will need to buy my own copy.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading. Warren Hinckle wrote like he was yelling. This is for fans of gonzo, those interested in San Francisco history and politics, and for anyone who misses newspapers.

[David]

Harrison