Gonzo: Hunter S. Thompson’s “visual biography”

By Joshua | December 12th, 2006 | No Comments

The photographs and archives of writer Hunter S. Thompson are available in Gonzo, “a visual biography worthy of his literary legacy.” I saw the link on boingboing.net, followed it a couple of clicks and found this typewriter still life. “AMMO Books presents this impressive limited edition title, featuring hundreds of personal photographs–many taken by Thompson himself and never before published. Accompanied by writing and memorabilia, this visual history gives insight into the literary icon’s life. GONZO chronicles Thompson’s numerous adventures, including his early days as a foreign correspondent in Puerto Rico, living in Big Sur in the sixties, time on the road with the Hell’s Angels, running for Sheriff of Pitkin County in 1970, and many personal moments with friends and family throughout the years.” The still life reminds me of photos I’ve taken of my own keyboard around the world. Makeshift desks, micro-ants crawling out of the keys, sweat stains on the plastic, Flor de Caña candle holder, mosquito coils spiraling round an empty beer bottle.

Here’s one of my favorites (taken from my postcards page):

My open-air “office” in San Ramón, Matagalpa. I rented that house for $50 a month. Moved in after the previous renter, a Peace Corps Volunteer and friend, finished his service and moved back to the U.S. I was just starting research on Moon Handbooks Nica second edition, and started every morning by eating the mangoes that had fallen over the night, a press full of local cafecita, and tortillas from my neighbor, hot off the stove.

Anyway, here’s the Amazon link to buy the book — Gonzo goes for $225, but I bet it’s a good ride. This freelance writer can’t be messin’ with no $225 book, so I’ll be happy with these images from the Good Doctor’s life — or, for ten times less, Ralph Steadman’s Gonzo: The Art.