Who Killed Hunter Thompson?

by Warren Hinckle (Editor)

A look at the life of Hunter through the eyes of his close friends and peers. Editor Warren Hinckle has collected essays by many of Hunter S Thompson's closest friends and coconspirators. Collectively, these compatriots observe and comment on the life and death of the journalistic legend. Contributors Susie Bright Jerry Brown John Clancy Bill Cardosso Terry McDonnell Rick MacArthur Martin F. Nolan Eugene Dr. Hip Schoenfeld Michael Stepanian Ralph Steadman Jack Thibeau Ben FongTorres and John Walsh

Genres: Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Frederick Gault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite his fearsome reputation, Hunter S. Thompson was a modern Mark Twain, quick of wit, and like H. L. Mencken, of the opinion that cold facts often get in the way of the truth of a situation. Most importantly he was an idealist who believed in the greatness of The American System and took it very hard when politicians didn't live up to his moral expectations. As one elegy had it, what happened in America broke his heart.

This book allows one to reassemble the 3D image of "Dr." HST's psyche from the many different writers, roust abouts, losers, drinkers, strippers, cartoonists, politicians and other free spirits who crossed his path as he burned across America searching for truth - determined to be the next F. Scott Fitzgerald.

[Richard]

The father of the much-abused term Gonzo Journalism where the author is an active participant in the story being reported Thompson was an enigma. The drugs, guns, alcohol consumption explosives etc. made for entertaining reading but make one wonder where the individual ends and the hyperbole rules, leading one to wonder who is this guy and how much of what he writes about is factual? Having read several biographies by his cohorts none of them answered this question, not even “The Joke’s Over: Ralph Steadman on Hunter S. Thompson” who accompanied him on and was the target of many of HST’s stunts. In fact, if there was ever a book dashed off to meet a publisher’s contract this was it.

The title of this volume (“Who Killed Hunter S. Thompson”) is a tongue in cheek reference that the good Dr. would himself appreciate according to Warren Hinckle the editor, Thompson sidekick and chief contributor. The title is a nod to the never ending legend of Hunter Thompson now that he’s no longer around to deliver more excess and a gift to the idea that conspiracy theorists have ginned up that HST was suicided (his death was staged by others in attempted to make it appear to be a suicide). In truth, he left a note for his long suffering wife that referenced his declining writing skills and contained the clever Hunter-esque line “football season is over” which left much to the imagination.

For anyone interested in Thompson and his shenanigans this is the book to read – written by those who witnessed the mayhem he was responsible for, much of which was not previously well known; it answers my question anyway – HST was one of a kind, really did drink and drug to excess, truly hated Richard M. Nixon and carried on with an inimitable style – he lived his life in a strange and terrible but entertaining way and went out with a bang. RIP HST.

[Joe Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The (long) introduction by Warren Hinckle puts Hunter’s relationship with Ramparts and Scanlons, and their place in history, into proper perspective. It also gives a lot of information regarding the ‘Night Manager’ phase.