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Title: Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga by Hunter S. Thompson ISBN: 0345410084 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: September, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.68
Rating: 3
Summary: not the best place to start
Comment: I read this book years ago. It was the first HST book I read and if you're new to his writings and new to his style, as your lawyer I would advise you not to start here. Don't get me wrong - it's a great book, however you need to be interested in the topic.
This is the book that began the reign of gonzo journalism. Written in 1966, Hunter does a great job of relaying his exploits as he is allowed to co-mingle with the members of the Hell's Angels. He does a nice job of telling their histroy, the importance of Harley's and how these men are real men - not devils. Well.... maybe a few of them.
Although the book is basically dated, if you want to know more about the "outlaw" biking culture this is a great read. If you're just getting into HST you should try FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and I'm sure you won't stop from there.
Rating: 5
Summary: One of the best books I have read all year
Comment: The book Hell's Angels, by Hunter S. Thompson, is one of the best books I have read all year. The one thing that effected my liking to this book was not the description, it was not the plot, and it was not the excessive sex, drugs and alcohol. It was the fact that Hunter Thompson was living with the actual Hell's Angels for almost two years, for the sake of journalism. Hunter Thompson is by far no saint (as you might know if you read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), but some of the things that were done in the time period that Thompson was living with them were down right sinister. Behind all the rape and the pillaging and the absolute destruction of human beings were the Neanderthals, that would strike fear in the heart of any decent, hard working American. The book goes into great detail about the ways that the press can manipulate a story, and the way that can mislead the reader, and the results of this. The worst thing about this is that a lot of the Angels had things happen to them that they were completely innocent of, but just the mere fact that they were Hell's Angels made them the enemy. In no way am I condoning any of the actions that some of the Angels partook in, but there is a large difference between committing the crime, and being friends with the people that committed the crime. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered what lies on the dark side of society, and to any one with a strong stomach. Thompson is an excellent writer and does go into (sometimes obscenely excessive) detail.
Rating: 3
Summary: I wanted more...
Comment: ...first hand accounts of Dr. Thompson's personal dealings with the Angels. Much of the book is written as an essay on the topic of the Hell's Angels. It includes many facts and quotes of everyone involved, from the Angels themselves, to quotes of police officers and politicians. Included throughout are Hunter's analysis of press coverage of the Angels and how the press nearly glorifies criminals. Too much facts. When I bought the book, I was hoping to learn of the Angel's reputation not by reading someone's studies (because anyone could do research), but by living it through the author's eyes. Hunter makes it clear that he studied/mingled with the Hell's Angels for about a year. Where are all the crazy stories? There were a couple personal accounts sprinkled here and there, but there he also a lot of general statements in the piece without giving me the experience I was hoping for.
For example, he'd say something to the effect of... and no one wanted these modern day Huns coming into their town, raping, pillaging, and chain-whipping anyone in their path. Did the Angels actually do these sorts of things? Did they go through towns ravaging and raping everything in site? After reading "Hell's Angels" I still can't answer these and similar questions.
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