The Proud Highway

This saga of a desperate and well spoken southern gentlemen is a real treat for anyone with an appreciation of literature as well as the budding writer. This book is a collection of letters written by the man that invented his own insane flavor of journalism known as "Gonzo Journalism". These letters work to portray the real human that was Hunter S. Thompson, and not the crazy drug-addled fiend that many have believed him to be.

The letters themselves date as far back as 1955 and Hunter truly manages to capture the era off-handedly in his various personal letters that read like prose. His personal thoughts and feelings about current politics and events were written in his letters to his loved ones and the man truly had a talent for conveying himself in a stylish manner. There were also more aggravated letters he had sent to debtors and various miscreants that he had trouble with and were always roguishly charming. This book allows you to catch but a faint glimpse of the worlds past events through the keenly observational view of Hunter S. Thompson.

This book elicited a series of unexpected emotions from me. His constant battle with poverty never seemed to even damage his conviction and this kind of fire in another soul will make you look at yourself and wonder just as well as it will make you miss the bold soul that he was. His rum-fueled adventures in other countries as well as in the States go to reflect just how much of a loose cannon he was and I could not help but to giggle at times during the reading. As a writer, these letters alos elicit from a sense of awe tinged with a hint of jealousy.

This book is a must read for any fan of HST as well as any brave soul that is flirting with the notion of making a living as a writer. Do not expect tales of celebrity-stature parties and easy going writing. Expect a surprisingly riveting read that will leave you feeling impressed and slightly more knowledgeable about the way a good writer handles his craft. "The Proud Highway" has been a delight to read.