Hunter S. Thompson Dead at age 67

The Washington Post reports that Hunter S. Thompson died yesterday of a gunshot would, apparently self-inflicted.

If you want to read two really funny, angry books read his "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail."

His style, which he called Gonzo Journalism, is a blend of fact and fiction that he said got closer to the truth being reported on than objective facts do. Since the first book above is his report of being a totally stoned reporter who attended and reported on the District Attorney convention on Drug Control in Las Vegas, you might begin to guess it is not your normal rational tale. It's not. It is angry, hilarious, unforgettable, and educational.

The second is his report of covering Nixon's 1972 Presidential Campaign as the National Desk Reporter for the Rolling Stone. Since in those days Rolling Stone was sort of a version of Mad Magazine that covered the then still very new Rock and Roll scene, and Hunter S. Thompson already had his reputation, it is once again angry, hilarious, unforgettable and extremely educational. It's a shame he didn't do similar books on GWB's 2000 and 2004 elections.

He was also the source Garry Trudeau used when he drew the character "Duke" in Doonesbury. I've read that Thompson was less than happy with that, but I loved it.

I notice that the short personal history the Washington Post article included did not include the fact that he had a Ph.D. in Journalism from Colombia before he spent his year riding with the Hell's Angels. I'm told that the Angels loved his book.

In any case, if you have some time and want a really funny read, try the two books I mentioned above. Then lift a drink to the passing of a very interesting, fun, funny and insightful writer who did it his way. I certainly will.

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In reading the many tributes to the genius of Hunter S. Thompson, I am beginning to suspect that my long-time belief that he had a Ph.D. in Journalism from Colombia is the result of another of his jokes. Doesn't surprise me. Like him, I have a Doctor of Divinity from the Universal Life Church.

Doesn't matter if he does or doesn't have that or any degree. He had a truly great insight into America and an ability to express it that I can only envy.