My Writings and Gonzo

So Saturday I picked up a book at the Library: The Gonzo Way which is written by the widow of Hunter Thompson and Douglas Brinkley. It is a small, almost pamphlet like book. It is not so much a biography (there are plenty of those) or memoir, as it is a celebration of Hunter, what he was, his writings and what he meant for so many people.



I loved Hunter Thompson's writings for the longest time. I got a little frustrated by his writing towards the end of the 90's but I think that was more because I had become almost as disenchanted with the politics as he was. And instead of doing something about it I just kind of stepped back from it all. But with this blog I have become more and more focused on politics and culture. And as a result when I picked this up I found myself kind of returning to what I once loved so much.



One of the things that is emphasized in the book is yes, Hunter did drink to excess, and indulged in more recreational drug use than anyone should expect. And while his writing sometimes reflected that, the thing that few people really notice unless you reread his books, (beyond Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas) is how much research really went into the writing. Hunter made a lot of outlandish statements, and often painted some very odd pictures of a lot of people, but very very rarely did he get his facts wrong.



In reading the book I have come to question why I write this blog. Part of it is to share my life with people, especially my family. But the biggest reason (which is important given the rather small readership I have) is that I do like to write. And I love to read, and the blog is really the best way I can bring the 2 together, because I can report on what I am reading. And if I can get some people to read what I report, and this leads them to enhance their own learning by reading more, then that is all to the better.



So by writing this I hope that in some small way I am capturing and channeling my own inner Gonzo, and hopefully for those who read it, their lives are enhanced as well. And for those who have a hard time with my very eclectic choice of post topics, you will have to live with it, because a sign of a full life and mind (in my opinion) is a wide variety of interests, and this blog captures those many many interests I have.