Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga by Hunter S. Thompson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga
Book Review: A masterpiece of underground journalism
Summary: 5 Stars
Written before Thompson freaked out on drugs and went truly Gonzo, "Hell's Angels" is instead a great piece of reporting. The Angels were a fairly new phenomenon in the public mind when Thompson went riding with them and recorded all that he saw. It is a fascinating account of what has become one of America's most notorious criminal enterprizes. Thompson's description of an LSD rush (taken when the drug was still legal) is worth the price alone. For all his troubles, the Angels beat him half to death. This is a must read for anyone ineterested in criminology.Book Review: A must read for any HST fans
Summary: 5 Stars
In order to consider yourself a fan of the great late doctor then i must insist that you purchase this book and read it as it the gateway into the "gonzo" way of writing/reporting. Being his first published novel I would suggest that you read this, F&L in Las vegas, F&L on the campain trail '72, and the rum diary to give yourself a basis for the rest of his memoir styled books. With that said this is a very good book and a quick read, understand going into it that this is a book about the Hell's Angels, not the girls scouts so may not be for everyone, however, Hunter does a good job portraying both the good and the bad, and the misunderstood sides of this outlaw biker gang. There is a lot of straight facts about this or that and it is not simply a day in the life of HST riding around with the Angels. This book is more or less a biography about the angels and a select few members that Hunter met with and traveled with for a year, but keep in mind it is not so much a novel as it is a lengthy news report on the Angels, riddled with personal experiences. As i said this is a must read for HST fans, or anyone with an interest in the great writer, as this is the book that first put him on the map. not to mention just a good book all together.Book Review: Absolute Trash from a Kentucky Fool
Summary: 1 Stars
Hunter S. Thompson has lived his life as if he wishes to actively alter his legacy. From exagerated experiences which he contrived strictly for the purpose of adding to his legend, to the outright falsification of simple facts, Thompson represents what you get when you cross-breed a toothless Kentucky derelict with a bipolar neurotic. In this particular book, Thompson takes great pleasure in representing that he was present during several Hell's Angels criminal episodes. The simple fact of the matter is that he was never present for so much as a peaceable pow-wow. The Angels do not let sycophants like Thompson in on their innermost secrets. Hell's Angels is fictional ---- just like Ken Kesey's review below pointed out. This is nothing more than a talentless wanabe "breaking through" as a writer by means foul. Avoid this stinker at all costs.Book Review: An entertaining and funny look back at a different time
Summary: 5 Stars
Hell's Angels is a Thompson classic. It is a tale that not only covers the Hell's Angels from the inside, but also an expose on irresponsible reporting that drove America into a frenzy over the outlaw motorcycle group. While the book is dated as a whole, I feel that Thompson's depiction of the American response to the Hell's Angels is very relevant today. It showed me that our society that is seemingly ruled by fear, uncertainty and doubt has indeed been present for quite some time now.
Overall, Hell's Angels is an amusing, funny and at times shocking read. Highly Recommended.
Book Review: An honest and bold account of America's cult the Hell's Angels
Summary: 5 Stars
Americans are as fascinated with violence as the outlaw motorcycle cult, the Hell's Angels, are encouraged to provide it. Hunter S. Thompson's "year of close association" made "Hell's Angels." Graphically it explains the colorful characters, group practices, accompanied by the steady consumption of drugs, alcohol, and violent sex. Thompson offers an account that breaks the myths into truths and untruths.
In a calm tone that neither reaches fascination nor condemnation, Thompson gives a close look at the Angels through what we least expect: lame parties and men who want to be heroes, to what we do expect: gang rape, gang violence, and a lot of people whose ultimate goal is to collect unemployment.
A moderate perspective of mainly white Anglo-Saxons under thirty, reeking of bike grease and human waste crushed into their initiation clothing, whose most frequent hangouts are taverns, emergency rooms, and jails. The outlaws' only source of pride lies in an individually customized Harley and by the colors of belonging to the Hell's Angels.
"The outlaws tend to see their bikes as personal monuments, created in their own image, however abstract, and they develop an affection for them that is hard for outsiders to understand."1
Thompson criticizes journalists and the police for not understanding the Angels, but acting as if they do. A certain finesse is required for dealing with the Angels. Angels. Angels do not care about the law, in fact, they will easily flaunt any behavior they think will shock onlookers. For no other reason two Angels will often embrace and kiss one another for the benefit of company. Thompson also summarizes the public view of the Hell's Angels.
"They command a fascination, however reluctant, that borders on psychic masturbation."2
Thompson's honest and original research uncovers America's fraternal motorcycle cult at the peak of their fame. As individuals, the members have no future, as a whole, that is a separate question. It seems that as long as men are unable to fit in modern society there is always a club or cult, depending on taste, waiting in the shadows.
1 pg. 92.
2 pg. 262.