The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time - Hunter S. Thompson

Fantastic

"The Great Shark Hunt" serves as a fantastic first volume that serves as possibly the ultimate re-cap of arguably his most influential period. Featuring cuts from now seminal classics such as "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas", "Hell's Angels", and "Fear & Loathing On The Campaign Trail '72" supplemented with a large collection of articles that have over the years become journalistic staples within the Hunter S. Thompson fan collective and outside observers a like. Whether his first introduction with Ralph Steadman ("The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent And Depraved") or the death of Ruben Salazar ("Strange Rumblings In Atzlan"), Hunter S. Thompson has always managed to immerse himself in the story in ways still unmatched.

His writings and subsequent volumes of letters have alluded to a man that was as intriguing as he was unnerving.. and that possibly is the testament why Hunter S. Thompson is the "founder" and only real contender in the arena of "Gonzo Journalism". His strong personality is what made him the center of the story, and his sharp incite and wit were merely the icing on top.

Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Muhammad Ali.... it is all here.

Good Stuff

Phenomenal, one of Thompson's greats. Great stuff with his meeting of Ralph Steadman. He interacts with the world like no other. You get a feeling that he is right there again being as chaotic and eccentric as he is expected to be. By far some of his great writing.

Incredible Collection

This book is really amazing. It spans, not chronilogically, throughout most of Dr. Hunter S Thompson's early/middle stages of his career. It is satirical and hilarious and straight to the point. Straight to the point meaning he does not bite his tongue, especially when speaking about "that twisted beast of a man" Nixon. Sometimes the writing begins getting off on a tangent, but if it didn't then it wouldn't truly be gonzo journalism. This book is incredible!

Wow - This guy went about 500 mph at ALL TIMES.

Hunter S. Thompson was a raving lunatic, a mad professor, a crackpot, and a Genius all wrapped up in one. If you're up for a wild ride through the late sixties and early seventies then get this book - nobody else has come close to describing those times so well. I found myself giggling like a Moron at some of the outrageous things that Thompson did and said, and pounding my fist in anger at other things that the Mad Doctor did and said. At certain intervals during this read I vowed to never touch another Thompson book, but there were times that I couldn't put it down, and eagerly anticipated his other books. It is worth the read for it's insight, and for the jaw-dropping affect that Thompson causes so easily and so frequently.

The Essential Hunter Thompson

Much like Sony's "The Essential" series, which collected the greatest songs from the greatest musicians of the past century, "The Great Shark Hunt" is an anthology of the greatest of the Good Doctor's work from his peak period of the 60's and 70's.

Perhaps no other American writer captured the essence of that tumultous era better than Hunter S. Thompson. He was simultaneously of his time and above his time, and invented a new kind of journalism, dubbed "Gonzo." All objectivity was thrown out the window as the author thrust himself into the action of the stories he was reporting. Whether it was dropping acid at a police convention in Las Vegas, sabotaging the presidential bid of Ed Muskie, or running for sheriff of Aspen, Thompson's antics are legendary, and "The Great Shark Hunt" is a great way to get acquainted with the man and the writing for which he is best remembered.