From his work as a reporter at Hustler magazine to his National Magazine Award–winning writing for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair, Evan Wright has always had an affinity for outsiders—what he calls "the lost tribes of America." The previously published pieces in this collection chart a deeply personal journey, beginning with his stark but sympathetic portrayals of sex workers in Porn Valley, through his raw portrait of a Hollywood überagent–turned–war documentarian and hero of America's far right. Along the way, Wright encounters runaway teens earning corporate dollars as skateboard pitchmen; radical anarchists plotting the overthrow of corporate America; and young American troops on the hunt for terrorists in the combat zones of the Middle East. His subjects are people for whom the American dream is either just out of grasp or something they've chosen to reject altogether. Sometimes frightening, usually profane, and often darkly comic, Hella Nation is Evan Wright's meticulously observed tour of the jagged edges of all those other Americas hiding in plain sight amid the nation's malls and gated communities. This collection also includes an all-new, autobiographical introductory essay by the author.
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"A good collection of articles, some stronger than others. Most stories focus small gangs of twentysomethings, and how they get trapped in what could be considered counterculture America; pornstars locked in loveless coupling, pro-skater, a squad of marines, and UFC fighter Tito Ortiz. "
— Chris (4 out of 5 stars)
“[This] is some top-drawer writing…the total effect reflects a literary rebel who wants to break convention.”
— Publishers WeeklyVivid confirmation of the arrival of a major chronicler of those who live on or beyond the margins of the American mainstream.
— Kirkus“Hugely entertaining book…funny, mesmerizing, frightening, and mind-boggling (sometimes all in the same essay)…Wright is an engaging storyteller who writes nonfiction with the eye and voice of a novelist…Gonzo journalism lives.”
— Booklist" This book is so wrong..........and so hilarious!! Evan Wright is my new (anti-) hero. "
— Priscilla, 2/11/2014" Collection of previously published writings - some stories were really interesting, while others I skipped over. "
— Erin, 2/9/2014" After I heard Wright interviewed on the Bob Edwards Show, I bought this book and Queued up Generation Kill on Netflix. I really like Wright's exploration of people not ordinarily covered by other journalists. "
— Scott, 1/21/2014" I was expecting a bit more out of this book than what I got. I had heard an interview with Evan and he pitched it as a look at the underbelly/the disenfranchised of the country. That sounded right up my alley. Evan is a good writer, and I did enjoy the book, but it was like going to see a movie with high expectations and being let down. Because we write what we know, Evan is often writing about the same subject and though it was fascinating, I couldn't help but think that the word "Nation" in the title was a bit misleading. Very nitpicky, I know, but this was my experience. I guess I should be happy that I wanted more, but in the end I was disappointed because I felt like he didn't deliver on the title. "
— Savinipop, 10/31/2013" I really liked this book. It's not something that I would have picked up. It was a book that gave me some insight about other peoples lives. "
— Amber, 10/15/2013" "Hella" means "Harsh", and this book is a collection of a dozen essays which were published mostly in The Rolling Stone magazine. The author is an ex-alcoholic/drug fiend who got his start working for Larry Flynt at Hustler magazine. All of the pieces are written in the style of 'Gonzo Journalism', in that, the author is very much a part of the expository information. This is fairly effective and tends to highlight the 'marginal' figures covered in the book. Faves include..... "Piss Drunk"-a look at radical skate punk culture, an essay on The Taxi Dancing Phenomenon, an overview of, The 'New' American Nazi Party, and a look at an Internet con artist, Seth Warshavsky, a piece which offers a 'behind the camera' look at an American Porn factory, and biographical sketch of an extreme right-wing American talent agent by the name of Pat Dollard. An enjoyable read, and easy to pick up, and check out a segment, and then, go right on to something entirely different. "
— Ken, 10/7/2013" A fairly interesting book, but vaguely unsatisfying for some reason. "
— Nick, 10/7/2013" Fairly good. I like Wright's prose, and his insights are often fascinating. However, at times his pieces can be stomach-turning... "
— Maria, 10/4/2013" Interesting collections of stories...some were great, others dull hence my average rating. "
— Chad, 2/6/2013" An excellent collection of essays by Evan Wright. These essays have appeared in different form in Hustler, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair. The central theme is about people who are unable to reach "The American Dream" or those who have gave up altogether. "
— Marvin, 12/15/2012" A fascinating collection of essays about people I would never want to meet on the street without a Glock in one hand and a spray can full of disinfectant in the other. "
— Nette, 11/15/2012" Not for the prudish, this book is a delving into the seedy underbelly of America. Loved it. "
— Jon, 10/23/2012" Got this for $1 at Waldenbooks. One of those nice little surprises. Liking it so far! "
— Jackie, 9/16/2012" A peculiar look at the odd people that investigative journalist Evan Wright calls Americas lost tribes. And he really does look into some peculiar people. I found it quite an amusing read. "
— Joe, 9/10/2012" Interesting short stories, some better than others. It was interesting to peek into other people's lives that are so different from mine. "
— Lauren, 11/10/2011" A collection of articles originally published in Rolling Stone varying from a piece on the porn industry to one about skateboarders. Some were more interesting than others but overall a decent read. "
— Jo, 11/9/2011" A good collection of articles, some stronger than others. Most stories focus small gangs of twentysomethings, and how they get trapped in what could be considered counterculture America; pornstars locked in loveless coupling, pro-skater, a squad of marines, and UFC fighter Tito Ortiz. "
— Chris, 10/3/2011" This is a collection of articles Wright wrote. Most are from 2000-2002, but a couple are as early as 1997 and one is as recent as 2007. They are all well written; most are pretty interesting. "
— Don, 1/29/2011" pretty interesting info from a prick "
— Valerie, 12/15/2010" Evan Wright falls in with the weirdest people and gets them to open up to him. The dark underside of American culture -- a trip that is not for everyone!<br/> "
— Ann, 11/17/2010" Got this for $1 at Waldenbooks. One of those nice little surprises. Liking it so far! "
— Jackie, 10/25/2010" Good book interesting look at alternative lifestyles. Not a bad read. Not sure who to recommend this book to. <br/> <br/> "
— Craig, 10/7/2010" Eclectic collection of essays . Interesting read . "
— Renee, 8/27/2010" 3.5 stars. Some of the pieces I really liked. "
— Lance, 7/18/2010" An excellent collection of essays by Evan Wright. These essays have appeared in different form in Hustler, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair. The central theme is about people who are unable to reach "The American Dream" or those who have gave up altogether. "
— Marvin, 7/18/2010" Obviously not great, but not bad either. Entertaining and usually informative look at bizarre and somewhat hidden subcultures. "
— Tawny, 6/21/2010Erik Davies is an accomplished audiobook narrator and voice-over actor. His stage credits include G.R. Point, Unpublished Letters, and Flats Fixed. Some of his television and film appearances include ER, Third Watch, and a starring role in the hit indie comedy High Society: A Pot Boiler. His audiobook narration has won three AudioFile Earphones Awards.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.