Most of these are records. And we really need rain.

I recently read the biography Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson. I have read much of Thompsons writings over the years and admit I am something of a fan. I had avoided this biography because it was edited by Jan Wenner, the founder and editor of Rolling Stone magazine. Wenner and Thompson had a notoriously difficult relationship. I recall someone describing it as the world’s worst employee working for the world’s worst boss.

There was also some controversy about the content. Thompsons second wife, Anita, removed her support from the project after seeing the early drafts. So perhaps there were some axes ground. And it isn’t a hagiography for sure. But a good read, composed completely of quotes and stories by people who knew Thompson. I did learn three things.

• The word Gonzo comes from the 1960 jazz recording titled Gonzo by New Orleans music legend James Booker.
• The phrase “fear and loathing” is from the author Thomas Wolfe, known for novels such as Look Homeward Angel. Thompson did not cite the author because he was afraid people would confuse him with his fellow New Journalism author Tom Wolfe.
• The contemporary author Thompson most admired was Norman Mailer.

All in all an entertaining read, with some noticable gaps (no mention of Ken Kesey or Neal Cassidy?) but probably mostly for Hunter Thompson fans.