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Avg. Customer Rating:(based on 117 reviews) Sales Rank: 5528 Category: Book
Author:Hunter S. Thompson Publisher:Modern Library Studio:Modern Library Manufacturer:Modern Library Label:Modern Library Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media: Hardcover Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 288 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8 Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1
Product Description The author's harrowing and critically acclaimed first book chronicles his year riding with the Hell's Angels and other motorcycle gangs, an "experiment" that ended when he was beaten nearly to death by a group of Angels. 20,000 first printing. NYT.
Another Point of View of HAMC December 30, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
At a literary level I would give this book 5 stars. It's well written in an unusual, yet interesting style. The combination of first and third person accounts within the book keep it from getting too tedious. I also think that Thompson made a valiant (if somewhat ineffective) effort to be objective in his observations and show both sides of most stories. Unfortunately, one could tell this attempt at objectivity was unsuccessful at times as displayed by his apparent friendship with several of the Angels through the course of his research. In his defense, it's probably pretty difficult to live and party with these guys for a sustained period of time without some emotional attachment.
With respect to the content, I guess I expected more detailed personal first hand experiences rather than summaries of historical events so I pulled 1 star away for that. To be fair, Thompson added some notes regarding the Angels' side of the story, but nonetheless I felt a bit deceived as I expected the book to be all first hand knowledge given that he had supposedly ridden with the Angels for a year. I was also disappointed that his version of "riding" with the Angels consisted of riding to their hangouts on a bike, but for longer runs such as Bass Lake he took his car - how lame is that?
One curiosity was the post script which referred to an event (which I won't divulge out of respect for the readers who haven't yet read the book) which took place after he wrote the book. According to Hunter's account, the event came out of the blue with no provocation at all. I find that somewhat suspicious and would be interested in knowing a little more detail on what precipitated that particular event. Perhaps it is as he described, but I just got the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye.
All in all, if one is truly interested in the subject matter I feel the book is worth the read because it's considered by some a classic, but more importantly because it contains another angle not addressed in other books recounting HAMC history and events. (namely Sonny Barger's Hells Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club, which I am reading now and so far have found to be a bit one sided and self indulgent, but that's another review yet to be written...).
Quick and Fast October 31, 2008 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
My book was delivered as promised and on time. I will definitely order again in the future.
Not enough Hunter September 13, 2008 "Hell's Angels" lacks some of the personal edge and Gonzo reporting style that I expect from Thompson. It is fun in parts, but overall it's too objective. After a few chapters, I found myself thinking, "I get it, these guys are burnouts and misfits, and I don't need be told any more minor stories about their antics." I can't be satisfied with this book as a piece of historical journalism either because there is so much post-1966 Hell's Angels history. Altamont and other important events occurred after the book was written, so I feel like I still don't have a good handle on the Hell's Angels' full significance in American culture. The thing I will remember the most from the book is the quote by Samuel Johnson, "He who makes himself a beast gets rid of the pain of being a man." This quote succinctly describes a core motivation of the Hell's Angels and others who know the pleasure of fringe lifestyles and behavior.
Brilliant writing about a grtty reality in American culture. September 11, 2008 I highly reccommend this gritty book. It is a very real feeling honest expose of the cult of the outlaw bikers, how the American media reacts to and manufactures disinfomaiton. It is a story of the sorry truth of the patholoy of the underclass of American society. One of Thompson's best.
Hunter at his best June 17, 2008 This is a wonderful republishing effort in hardback with a great photo of Hunter on its cover - a tribute to Thompson's literary accomplishment and treatment of the Hells Angels when they were truly a cultural attraction.
Hunter's writing is clear, fast-paced, insightful, hysterial, and damning with just a bit of the Thompson humor to get the real point across. There's not be a book on the Times and the Angels since to match it.
Great addition to the library - thanks, Dr. Thompson - RIP
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