Fear & Loathing Books In Order

Publication Order of Fear and Loathing Books

Publication Order of Fear and Loathing Letters Books

Fear &; Loathing in Las Vegas is undoubtedly the most notable work by Hunter S. Thompson, a controversial yet fan favorite who did not refrain from speaking his mind. Hunter S. Thompson was born in 1937 in Louisville, Kentucky. Hunter S. Thompson served in the United States Air Force and later as a journalist honored for the introduction of “Gonzo” journalism, which involves reporting the action by a reporter who himself/herself is in the act. While serving in the military, Thompson travelled wide across the country to cover sporting activities and he maintained his fun for travelling when he left the military and worked for several magazines. He employed his own style of reporting, “Gonzo journalism” in his masterpiece, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which brought him immense success. He lived his later life in Aspen, Corolado where he maintained his use of illicit drugs, alcohol and his love for firearms. Thompson died in 2005 while aged 67.

Probably Hunter S. Thompson led his hard—driving life due to his early-childhood upbringing. Born on July 18, 1937 in Louisville Kentucky to a World War 1 veteran and insurance agent father, Thompson did not live to enjoy much time with his father who died while he was in high school. His mother, Virginia, was an alcoholic and was left penniless after the passing away of Thompson. Thompson got himself involved in numerous mischief scandals ranging from pranksters, shoplifting, vandalism and outright robbery.

Nevertheless, his love for writing was evidence when he got accepted into Athenaeum Literary Association where he wrote for the organization’s newsletter. Thompson was however, hard to contain as his contribution to the association’s newsletter were incendiary and sarcastic. While developing his literacy craft, Hunter S. Thompson took great credit from his reputation as a hoodlum to further advance his career. It is here that he fell in love with firearms, alcohol and illicit drugs.

With time, Thompson’s was arrested and spent several weeks in jail and was expelled from the literary group. To keep him out of his wickedness, the judge offered him two options; jail or join military. He chose the latter and after training, was posted to the U.S. Air Force. He didn’t last long in the military either, but his star was to shine elsewhere. He found a career in journalism awaiting him. He worked for numerous small-town newspapers and at one time, served as a copy boy for Time Magazine.

His love for engaging with the action when reporting made him a fearless journalist, and this earned him an assignment with The Nation, to write an article about the Hell’s Angels, an outlawed motorcycle club. The resulting article was a hit and later led to his first book, Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. This book was published in 1967 after spending a year with the gang, gaining first-hand information. From here on, Hunter S. Thompson star would shine brighter with every passing day.

Books: Fear and Loathing Series

Undoubtedly Thompson’s masterpiece. The Fear and Loathing Series is one of the most memorable works of art of Thompson. This series consists of five books that can be read independently as they do not promote the same story. However, the first book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was published in two-part series that requires you to read sequentially.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

This is the first book in the series. Published in 1971, this book became an instant hit and opened the way for Thompson to showcase his writing skills. This book was developed after the killing of Ruben Salazar, a Mexican-American television journalist after a he was shot at close range with a tear gas canister by police officer of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This was during the National Chicano Moratorium March opposed to the Vietnam War. Following Strange Rumblings in Aztlan expose by the Rolling Stone in 1970. One of Hunter S. Thompson’s main source of the story was a prominent Mexican-American attorney and activist, Oscar Zeta Acosta. It was however difficult for the couple to speak freely in the extremely intense racial atmosphere in Los Angeles, these two guys decided to take advantage Thompson’s assignment by Sports Illustrated to cover the Mint 400 motorcycle race in Las Vegas.

Initially, he was to cover a 250-word photograph caption became a 2,500 word manuscript. However, Thompson says that on return to Sports Illustrated, his manuscript was “aggressively rejected”. However, Jann Wenner, Rolling Stone publisher liked Thompson’s work and agreed to publish it. This gave Thompson more push to continue working on the novel.

What started as a trip to cover Mint 400 motorcycle race turned out to be Thompson’s first Fear and Loathing book; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which was first published as a two-part series by Rolling Stone. This book is in first person account by Raoul Duke, a journalist on a Las Vegas trip with his attorney Dr. Gonzo to cover a convention of narcotic officers’ in addition to the Mint 400 race. Duke consistently refers to his companion, Dr. Gonzo, as “my attorney” with whom he got sidetracked to pursuing the American Dream. They began their adventure with a few belongings, which included pellets of mescaline, salt shaker filled with cocaine, two bags of grass, five sheets of blotter acid, a quart of rum, a quart of tequila, a pint of ether, a case of Budweiser among others.

The book was greeted with acclaim especially as it came after the failure of counter-cultural movement. It was rated highly by fans and critics and portrayed Thompson as a great writer and a hero.

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72

Thompson wrote expansively for Rolling Stone and traveled wide covering President Richard Nixon election campaigns. He too covered campaigns for Nixon’s opponent, Senator George McGovern. These articles were put together to form what we know as Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72. Thompson spent most of his time covering the “campaign trail” which involved extensive travelling. He focused on the Democratic Party primaries.

Thompson would later become one of the critical critics of Nixon. After the death of Nixon in 1994, Thompson describe him as the kind of man who would shake your hand and back-stab simultaneously. He pointed out that Nixon’s casket should have been drained into an open sewage canal that drains into the ocean.

Books Made into TV show

Fear and Loathing was so massive that it was adapted into a TV film starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro who played Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo respectively and was directed by Terry Gilliam. Depp is a great follower of Hunter S. Thompson’s work developed close relationship with Thompson and later starred in Thompson’s The Rum Diary in 2011.

Fear &; Loathing series by Hunter S. Thompson is definitely a book worth your time. You will definitely love Thompson’s choice of words as he gets really hard when need be, and can also get soft and loving. This series is also a great source of information of 70’s and 80’s. If you really feel like reading a captivating and interesting series, Fear and Loathing series by Hunter S. Thompson is the book for you.

One Response to “Fear & Loathing”

1. frank m lawrence: 3 years ago

   hi people , I’m on my fourth Hunter Thompson book … all wonderful !

   Reply