Home » My Bookshelf » Hells Angels book by Hunter S Thompson
Published in 1966, Hell’s Angels is a raw and gritty exposé of one of America’s most notorious subcultures. Hunter S. Thompson, the author, lived and rode with the Angels for a year in the mid-1960s, providing a unique and insider’s perspective of the club’s culture, history, and activities. The book portrays the Angels as a violent and lawless group of outcasts who thrive on drugs, sex, and rebellion against mainstream society. Thompson’s interviews with members and their associates provide a thoughtful analysis of the motivations and values that drive the members of this notorious subculture, making it a classic work of New Journalism.
Categories: Non-fiction, Investigative Journalism
Listed on: Most disturbing books of all time
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Awards Hell’s Angels Book has received:
Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs is a book written by Hunter S. Thompson, first published in 1966. While it received critical acclaim for its immersive and often shocking exploration of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, it did not win any major literary awards. However, it is considered an important work of “New Journalism” and a significant piece of American nonfiction literature. Thompson’s immersive and unconventional style of journalism influenced many writers and journalists who followed him.
About the author:
Hunter S. Thompson was an American journalist and author who revolutionized the world of journalism with his unique and unconventional style of reporting. He is best known for pioneering “Gonzo journalism,” a form of immersive, first-person journalism that blurred the lines between fact and fiction. Thompson’s fearless approach to reporting and his larger-than-life personality made him a counter-cultural icon of the 1960s and 1970s.
Early Life:
Hunter Stockton Thompson was born on July 18, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky. He grew up in a middle-class family and developed an early interest in writing and sports. Thompson attended the prestigious Louisville Male High School, where he excelled academically and athletically, particularly in football and boxing.
Career in Journalism:
Thompson’s career in journalism began in the military, where he served in the United States Air Force as a sports editor for the base newspaper. After his military service, he worked for various newspapers and magazines, honing his distinctive style. His breakthrough came in 1967 when he published “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs,” an immersive and often dangerous firsthand account of his time spent with the notorious motorcycle gang.
Gonzo Journalism:
Thompson’s most significant contribution to journalism was the development of Gonzo journalism. This style involved the journalist becoming a central part of the story, often through a haze of drugs and alcohol, and providing a subjective, experiential account of events. His most famous work, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” published in 1971, epitomized this approach, as he and his attorney, portrayed as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, embarked on a drug-fueled journey through the American Southwest. The book is a scathing critique of the counterculture and the American Dream.
Impact and Legacy:
Hunter S. Thompson’s writing had a profound impact on journalism and popular culture. His fearless pursuit of the truth, unconventional methods, and unapologetic voice inspired a generation of journalists and writers. His work also influenced filmmakers, musicians, and artists who embraced his ethos of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment.
Later Life and Passing:
Despite his fame, Thompson battled personal demons, including substance abuse and mental health issues, throughout his life. On February 20, 2005, at the age of 67, he tragically took his own life at his home in Woody Creek, Colorado. His death marked the end of an era in journalism and left an indelible mark on American literature and culture.
Hunter S. Thompson will always be remembered as a literary outlaw and a pioneer of Gonzo journalism. His fearless, unapologetic approach to reporting and his willingness to push boundaries continue to influence journalists and writers to this day. His legacy lives on in his works, which remain both timeless and iconic.
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In 2021, Lisanne recommended “Tell Me Who I am” by Alex and Marcus Lewis and said…
“It is an interesting idea how a seemingly great solution – losing all your bad and traumatic memories – isn’t a solution to the problems at all. As this documentary implies, emotions cannot be controlled, and by hiding certain emotions or painful experiences they aren’t cleaned up at all.”
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Reviews from Readers:
Five stars!
I was able to read this book and it touched me to the core and I came out of it as a changed person. Very few books have ever had that effect on me, and it is relevant on so many levels. It will encourage people to be true to themselves and not keep dark secrets under wraps they suffered as children, often causing pain they carry for a lifetime and in many cases destroy lives – I salut the twins, Marcus and Alex Lewis for their bravery to come forward and share their lives journeys with us. Beautiful job by Hodgkin who tells the story with so much integrity. Even though shocking, this story is inspiring, and empowering and will bring about change. Bravo!
Intriguing coming-of-age story
This is an intriguing coming-of-age story, that reads like a psychological thriller. I have to say that I loved the book more than the documentary, but the story is either way very upsetting yet beautiful. I admire their courage of putting a story that’s so deeply personal out there.
