Understanding Hunter S. Thompson

An insightful guide to the life and literary career of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) pushed the boundaries of storytelling. While the writer is most recognized for the genre-bending work Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1972), in Understanding Hunter S. Thompson, Kevin J. Hayes provides a broad and nuanced analysis of Thompson’s multifaceted career and unique literary voice. Following a biographical introduction, Hayes examines the different roles Thompson played throughout his literary career, resulting in a view of his work unlike any previously published biographical or critical study. The ensuing chapters analyze Thompson’s work in his capacities as a foreign correspondent, literary critic, New Journalist, gonzo journalist, campaign writer, anthologist, letter writer, and novelist. Hayes draws on previously unrecorded articles, correspondence, and interviews to inform his insightful analysis. Written in an engaging and propulsive style, Understanding Hunter S. Thompson is essential reading for scholars and fans.

Kevin J. Hayes is professor emeritus of English, University of Central Oklahoma. He is the author of numerous books, including The Future of the Book: Images of Reading in the American Utopian Novel and George Washington, A Life in Books, for which he was awarded the George Washington Prize.