Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 Audiobook

" A very good read as Hunter follows the 1972 primaries with George McGovern. Excellent insight into the inner working of a campaign and general politics. The book has it all: Hunter talks football with President Ford, avoids some cops at a rally and even gets his "good" name trashed by someone who steals his press badge. Certainly not as drug induced as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but nevertheless a joy ride. "

" Probably the last thing he wrote before drugs and alcohol made him into a parody of his former self. This book combines Thompson's usual manic rants with some surprisingly insightful analysis of American politics. "

" Bar none, flat out, the best book on politics I've ever read. Insightful, hilarious, serious in craft and totally irreverant. One of my favorites. "

" Really fascinating history that I didn't know much about ... but it certainly was reminiscent of the 2004 election. Kind of tragic too, in hindsight, how Nixon appears here as the antichrist only because we hadn't yet had 8 years of Reagan and Bush. "

" This book is quite funny, and paints an interesting picture of the inside political scene during a presidential campaign. "

" Not HSTs best book but a good one nonetheless. This is probably his most political novel, as the title would suggest, and the highly episodic (thoguh mercifully linear) structure lends itself perfectly to Thompson's at times outrageous writing style. This one doesn't contain the laughs or the insight as "his Vegas book" but is no slouch and if you're a fan of either HST or political campaigns at the time then this is a worthy read. Occasional photos help to illustrate some of the book "characters". "

" This is a great book. Alcohol-soaked, drug-addled and really astute political observation in a time and place that sounds strangely familiar to today. The press has changed (less bent on substances) but the politicians and their assistants haven't (victory or death)! With an up-close view of this current election race, I've had fun comparing and contrasting. One surprise: Thompson really cares about this subject and does a great job of describing the subtle political twists and turns that truly define a campaign. "

" Good but upsetting. "

" Hunter S Thompson is a fantastic writer. Hilarious, detailed, informative and just all-out entertaining. I never knew how political he was until reading this book. And I never knew so much about the 1972 elections before reading this. I'm serious. "

" If you MUST write about a campaign, this is the way to do it. I love this book and read it periodically when I start taking politics--and the world--way too seriously. "

" nixon was a bad bad man. "

" My absolute favorite Hunter S. Thompson Book. I've read this book many many times. "

" Essential for politics. Not for learning, but for entertainment. Great in an election year. "

" Done. I'm now slightly obsessed with HST, and by obsessed, I mean have a love/hate relationship with. I find him incredibly irritating, and yet charming at the same time. I must read more. "

" This is the best book about politics I have ever come across. Like all Hunter it's ourageous, hysterical, poignant and on the money. McGovern and others have stated this is the best book about the '72 election cycle but most likely it will go down as one of the best ever. "

" The book that got me interested in politics "

" Good for style. As a history, there are some gaps in events, perhaps things the author assumes are known, or due to it being an artifact of the time more than a scholarly effort. "

" About what you'd expect from the guy whose obituary for Nixon years later was "he was a crook." That, and while writing these articles for Rolling Stone he was on mescaline and booze. An interesting read but often repetitive and rambling. "

" The Gonzo version of the campaign trail. "

" There is something wonderful about reading about history from HST!!! "Gonzo Journalism" probably should not be ones only source of information on an event...but when it is, that makes it even more exciting. "

" Just reread this and it's interesting how much Obama's campaign looked like McGovern's in 72 (except that, obviously, McGovern got his ass kicked). Plus Hunter S. Thompson is totally the best writer ever and I'm really sad he didn't live to see the 2008 election. "

" Thompson is incredible at capturing the mentality of that time, as well as providing an entertaining summary of integral political events that shaped contemporary American politics. "

" Fascinating interviews, anecdotes and analyses of a twisted time. "

" Hilarious book and its all about politics, I couldn't ask for much more really "

" Rereading this classic for the first time in about 20 years...The parallels to the 2008 election cycle are remarkable... "

" Trippy and a bit surreal, but Thompson's pulse is on campaign life (just amped up a lot...as is his style). At times, I found that the book dragged, but overall, I enjoyed it. "