Outlaw Journalist: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson

By William McKeen

Book Overview

Hunter S. Thompson detonated a two-ton bomb under the staid field of journalism with his early magazine pieces and revelatory Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing campaign coverage in Rolling Stone. When Thompson was on, there was no one better at capturing who Americans were and what America was, be it in politics, at the Kentucky Derby, or in the Hells Angels' lair. William McKeen became friends with Thompson after writing a monograph on his journalism. McKeen now has interviewed many of Thompson's associates who wouldn't speak before, from childhood friends to colleagues, to assistants who sat around the Woody Creek, Colorado, kitchen control room late at night when Thompson did most of his work. McKeen gets behind the drinking and drugs to show the man and the writer--one who was happy to be considered an outlaw but took the calling of journalism as his life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393061922
• ISBN13: 9780393061925
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Amazing.

This book was absolutely amazing. As someone who is both a journalist and a lover of both literature and Hunter S. Thompson, I consider this a must-have piece on anyone's bookshelf.

A definitive biography

Any collection strong in the works or life of Hunter S. Thompson will relish OUTLAW JOURNALIST. It offers up a definitive biography of the inventor of 'Gonzo journalism', going beyond examination of his use of drugs and his drinking to consider the writer and man who was considered an outlaw in his industry - and a hero to the world. Both general-interest and journalism libraries will find it an absorbing pick and a popular, lasting lend.

The Best!

Here is what Anita Thompson had to say on her blog\about Outlaw Journalist: " Of all the "Biographies" about Hunter that have come out in the last year, this is definitely the best. William was a friend to Hunter, had an academic history with him, and his book shows his interest in Hunter's work, more so than just tawdry gossip. It has far fewer inaccuracies than the others. William also managed to put out the book while dealing with his own health issues. So Huge congratulations to him. As Hunter's wife, I highly recommend this book to you! until next time, your friend, Anita Thompson"

This is the REAL bio, not some celebrity fraud

Sure we've heard about his famous friends, his Rolling Stone cred, all the legendary drug abuse, so much so that it's made him a pop culture caricature. William McKeen is perhaps the first to step behind the curtain, cozy up to the good doctor's real posse and find out just what made the man behind the gonzo tick. This is a history book written for pleasure readers, filled with storytelling, charm, wit and yes, pain. McKeen manages to step back from the HST fame cycle and look again at the writer, the journalist and the very flawed spirit and tell his story with a discerning eye. While other fame-seekers and hangers-on have delved into the mystique with their own bio books, this one brings you the most respectable and honest cast of Thompson and his crazy life. A history and bio that's hard to put down.

Buy the Book, Take the Ride

McKeen has quite simply put together the definitive biography on Thompson, a work that would have Hunter writing and sending screeds via fax to everyone, yet deep down secretly admiring for its depth and brilliance. There are many legends, but "Outlaw Journalist" sorts fact from fiction and gives an honest take of Gonzo from beginning to end. There would be no higher tribute to the good doctor than buying McKeen's book and throwing it on the expense account along with three bottles of Wild Turkey and some Doritos ...