High White Notes is the first in-depth analysis of the complete writings of Hunter S. Thompson, one of the most misunderstood authors of the 20th century. His Gonzo journalism was an odd fusion of fact and fiction that garnered widespread adoration but perhaps for all the wrong reasons.
In this book, David S. Wills traces the outlaw journalist's life from birth to death, exploring how Thompson developed his unique literary voice and why he used such odd techniques to craft a form of prose that defied categorization. This book not only explores Thompson's meteoric rise to literary superstardom but also charts the rapid decline in the quality of his work that came after his 1972 foray into political reporting.
This book dispels a great many myths about Thompson’s life, analyzes his work as never before, and asks difficult questions about his work. By cutting through the legends and exploring Thompson’s deliberate hybridization of fact and fiction, Wills aims to set the Gonzo author in his proper literary context, alongside other greats of the 20th century.
Review
"HIGH WHITE NOTES: The Rise and Fall of Gonzo Journalism by David S. Wills is the most insightful and in depth study yet of the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson. HIGH WHITE NOTES joins the pantheon of OUTLAW JOURNALIST: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson by William McKeen, FREAK KINGDOM: Hunter S. Thompson's Manic Ten-Year Crusade Against American Fascism by Timothy Denevi, and THE HELL'S ANGELS LETTERS: Hunter S. Thompson, Margaret Harrell and The Making of An American Classic by Margaret Ann Harrell as the leading studies on Hunter S. Thompson's life and work to date." - Ron Whitehead, Outlaw Poet & U.S. National Beat Poet Laureate
"In High White Notes , David Wills sets himself the task of examining "the work of a writer with an incredible grasp of language." He also examines Hunter Thompson the man as "a complex, troubling, and enigmatic figure." He admits, "It will be an uncomfortable book for many." Quite predictably, the red herrings in the biography made for a formidable challenge. Thank you, David, for setting out on this safari of Hunter Thompson writings as the founder of Gonzo Journalism and inimitable irreverent larger-than-life satirist, with his fingertips on the nerve endings of a century. It's time for this comprehensive appraisal—bringing Hunter's history all too realistically and soberly to life—in the tragic parts, extensively enlarged upon and illustrated, sometimes moving me to tears." - Margaret A. Harrell, author of The Hell's Angels Letters
"riveting... endlessly entertaining... compelling and downright forensic... Thompson knew Gatsby on a cellular level and Wills seems to know Thompson's work as intimately." - Quillette
"While another biography of a well-tread icon might seem superfluous, High White Notes is perhaps the most essentially human account of HST, one that dares to actually dissect his writing rather than his outlaw lifestyle." - LitReactor
"it is the music in Hunter Thompson's writing that Wills reveals so masterfully in his book" - The Aquarian
"Wills' exhaustive and unequaled research shows Thompson the journalist slowly evolving his style [...] He also shows exactly how Thompson began to burn out, repeating his original phrases like a wanna-be of his own work." - Sensitive Skin Magazine
"It's a great read if you're interested in the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson." - Brad Listi
"It's well-researched with footnotes, notes, and a massive index. David S. Wills has managed to write, research, and complete THE most comprehensive book on HST and Gonzo Journalism." - Marty Flynn, HST Books
About the Author
David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and World Citizen: Allen Ginsberg as Traveller. He is the editor of Beatdom literary journal and lives in rural Cambodia. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Description:
High White Notes is the first in-depth analysis of the complete writings of Hunter S. Thompson, one of the most misunderstood authors of the 20th century. His Gonzo journalism was an odd fusion of fact and fiction that garnered widespread adoration but perhaps for all the wrong reasons.
In this book, David S. Wills traces the outlaw journalist's life from birth to death, exploring how Thompson developed his unique literary voice and why he used such odd techniques to craft a form of prose that defied categorization. This book not only explores Thompson's meteoric rise to literary superstardom but also charts the rapid decline in the quality of his work that came after his 1972 foray into political reporting.
This book dispels a great many myths about Thompson’s life, analyzes his work as never before, and asks difficult questions about his work. By cutting through the legends and exploring Thompson’s deliberate hybridization of fact and fiction, Wills aims to set the Gonzo author in his proper literary context, alongside other greats of the 20th century.
Review
"HIGH WHITE NOTES: The Rise and Fall of Gonzo Journalism by David S. Wills is the most insightful and in depth study yet of the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson. HIGH WHITE NOTES joins the pantheon of OUTLAW JOURNALIST: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson by William McKeen, FREAK KINGDOM: Hunter S. Thompson's Manic Ten-Year Crusade Against American Fascism by Timothy Denevi, and THE HELL'S ANGELS LETTERS: Hunter S. Thompson, Margaret Harrell and The Making of An American Classic by Margaret Ann Harrell as the leading studies on Hunter S. Thompson's life and work to date." - Ron Whitehead, Outlaw Poet & U.S. National Beat Poet Laureate
"In High White Notes , David Wills sets himself the task of examining "the work of a writer with an incredible grasp of language." He also examines Hunter Thompson the man as "a complex, troubling, and enigmatic figure." He admits, "It will be an uncomfortable book for many." Quite predictably, the red herrings in the biography made for a formidable challenge. Thank you, David, for setting out on this safari of Hunter Thompson writings as the founder of Gonzo Journalism and inimitable irreverent larger-than-life satirist, with his fingertips on the nerve endings of a century. It's time for this comprehensive appraisal—bringing Hunter's history all too realistically and soberly to life—in the tragic parts, extensively enlarged upon and illustrated, sometimes moving me to tears." - Margaret A. Harrell, author of The Hell's Angels Letters
"riveting... endlessly entertaining... compelling and downright forensic... Thompson knew Gatsby on a cellular level and Wills seems to know Thompson's work as intimately." - Quillette
"While another biography of a well-tread icon might seem superfluous, High White Notes is perhaps the most essentially human account of HST, one that dares to actually dissect his writing rather than his outlaw lifestyle." - LitReactor
"it is the music in Hunter Thompson's writing that Wills reveals so masterfully in his book" - The Aquarian
"Wills' exhaustive and unequaled research shows Thompson the journalist slowly evolving his style [...] He also shows exactly how Thompson began to burn out, repeating his original phrases like a wanna-be of his own work." - Sensitive Skin Magazine
"It's a great read if you're interested in the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson." - Brad Listi
"It's well-researched with footnotes, notes, and a massive index. David S. Wills has managed to write, research, and complete THE most comprehensive book on HST and Gonzo Journalism." - Marty Flynn, HST Books
About the Author
David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and World Citizen: Allen Ginsberg as Traveller. He is the editor of Beatdom literary journal and lives in rural Cambodia. --This text refers to the paperback edition.