Thompson

Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library)
$21.95
I read Hell's Angel by Ralph "Sonny" Barger before reading this one. Mr. Barger had a very low opinion of H.S. Thompson as a person from what he observed of him from hanging out with his motorcycle chapter and what he had to say about this book was, "it was junk, there was a lot of writers exaggeration along with a writer's dream-and-drug-induced commentary."I was almost put off from reading Mr. Thompson's book, but I'm glad I did. It's not so much of a documentary of the HAMC, which he used as backdrop to display his intelligence style of humor. He reminds me a lot of the writings of Thomas Carlyle. It's a very witty book.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
$14.00
I'd already seen the movie (and couldn't have been happier with the casting of Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro), so I knew approximately what to expect, but as is often the case when books are adapted for the screen, what movies gain in literal representation they lose in flavor of language. And that, I would say, was the best part of this book: Thompson's rollicking, piquant wordplay that both lives up to and brings to life the outrageous escapades described over the course of 200 breathlessly rambling pages.

If Thompson and his nameless attorney consumed even half the drugs he says they did, it must've been a bender of frightening proportions, that much is clear. But amidst the staggering amounts of illegal substances, boorish behavior, and assorted misdemeanors, what comes out through it all is Thompson's keen eye for human nature, mordant wit, and ability to turn one colorful phrase after another. Countless times I wanted to reach for my pencil to make a note or copy down a particularly choice quotation, but instead let myself be carried along by the rushing, post-Kerouackian current of Thompson's prose, figuring that blasting along without stopping was more in the spirit of the thing anyhow.

Kids may not be reading it in school 100 years from now (in fact, I hope they're not!), and anyone looking for character development or serious philosophical reflections is looking in the wrong place, but for sheer joy of language it has lessons that a lot of writers could learn from.

The Rum Diary : A Novel
$14.00
This was reportedly one of the first books written by Hunter S Thompson, when he was in his twenties, but remained unreleased for decades. I don't know why, because this is an outstanding and (at the time it was written) highly original book.

What is remarkable is that even at this early stage, Thompson's "Gonzo" approach is already well developed. Drawing on his own experiences in Puerto Rico, Thompson blends fact, embellishment, and fiction into a unique whole. In true Gonzo fashion, the narrative is less important than describing the people, the places, and the times that Thompson has witnessed. However, probably because it is one of his first books, 'The Rum Diary' is a more straightforward and coherent story than later works such as 'Fear And Loathing...'.

Thompson's description of the bums, drunks, psychos, crooks, and dealers who inhabited Puerto Rico in the Fifties is at different times funny, surreal and tragic. Some moments border on slapstick comedy, while others (such as when the hacks all gather at Al's to get drunk and reflect) are poignant and despairing. The Gonzo style really brings out the spirit of the times, chronicling those restless visionaries who scramble for a foothold in the developing market, and the frustrated have-nots who drink themselves into a stupor night after night.

It's often the case that so-called "lost classics" are inferior novels that don't live up to the hype, but 'The Rum Diary' really is deserving of that status. While it probably pales in comparison to Thompson's more innovative works, the book is still a good read. Thompson acolytes will definitely want to see where it all started for their hero, while the book's relative accessibility also makes it suitable for more casual fans who would be put off by Thompson's other works. A true hidden gem, and I highly recommend it.

Calvin Klein Thompson 21" Wheeled Upright,Anthracite,One Size
$385.00
This luggage is so nice. It is beautiful, and well made. The wheel mechanism is so smooth, that it is a pleasure to pull it around. I thought the handle that extends could have been tighter (losing it a star). It is a bit loose. The inside is really nice and the second reason I picked it. Most other luggage has a thin covering over the bar that is part of the extendable handle, but this luggage has a padded covering so that bar is less noticeable.