Geared Up for Gonzo: The Latest from Hunter S. Thompson

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In the years before and since Hunter S. Thompson’s untimely suicide in 2005, there have been more than a handful of Thompson tributes, films and books churned out by those who say they knew him best, claiming to have insight into the maniacally brilliant mind of the American author and journalist. The most recognizable being, of course, Thompson’s own book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, made only more famous by the 1998 movie of the same name. And we all watched that movie. Or we at least watched as much as possible before running out of the theater for fear of igniting any of our own twisted, syrupy acid flashbacks.

Since Thompson’s death at 67, Colorado-based Flying Dog Brewery has gone so far as to honor the writer with his own beer, Gonzo Imperial Porter. Even the Garry Trudeau comic Doonesbury ran a post-mortem tribute. Amid all this gonzo-mania it’s time a work was released that actually offers fans and followers something of substance to remember the man by. Something he wouldn’t have used as an ashtray or urinal. Basically, something he created himself.

Gonzo, the debut release from AMMO Books, is the latest and greatest Thompson tribute and hyped to be a must-have for all Thompson collectors. Edited by Steve Crist, the book is a visual biography of sorts and features hundreds of photographs, many from his personal collection that haven’t ever gone public. The book also includes the best of his archived writings, some hand written, and an introduction by actor and close friend Johnny Depp who, as we all know, perfected Thompson’s caricature in the film version of Fear and Loathing. Perhaps the most alluring aspect of Gonzo is the fact that it reveals a younger Hunter S. Thompson, before he became the infamous icon of today. It’s a side of him that’s rarely seen print, made even more exclusive because its a side readers get to know from the man’s own perspective.

Unfortunately, there’s a catch to getting your hands on a copy of Gonzo…there are only 3,000 copies available worldwide and each cost $300. My first thought after looking at the outrageous price was that AMMO Books was insane. Then I remembered that the holidays are coming up (isn’t their marketing team smart) and reminded myself that I really couldn’t expect anything less from a man that requested his cremated ashes be fired from a giant cannon. These books are going fast so do yourself a favor and pre-order.

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