Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga: Amazon.ca: Hunter S. Thompson: Books

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'There are only two adjectives writers care about any more - "brilliant" and "outrageous" - and Hunter has a freehold on both of them.' Tom Wolfe 'The first rock-star writer' Guardian --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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"California, Labor Day weekend . . . early, with ocean fog still in the streets, outlaw motorcyclists wearing chains, shades and greasy Levis roll out from damp garages, all-night diners and cast-off one-night pads in Frisco, Hollywood, Berdoo and East Oakland, heading for the Monterey peninsula, north of Big Sur. . . The Menace is loose again." Thus begins Hunter S. Thompson's vivid account of his experiences with California's most no-torious motorcycle gang, the Hell's Angels. In the mid-1960s, Thompson spent almost two years living with the controversial An-gels, cycling up and down the coast, reveling in the anarchic spirit of their clan, and, as befits their name, raising hell. His book successfully captures a singular moment in American history, when the biker lifestyle was first defined, and when such countercultural movements were electrifying and horrifying America. Thompson, the creator of Gonzo journalism, writes with his usual bravado, energy, and brutal honesty, and with a nuanced and incisive eye; as The New Yorker pointed out, "For all its uninhibited and sardonic humor, Thompson's book is a thoughtful piece of work." As illuminating now as when originally published in 1967, Hell's Angels is a gripping portrait, and the best account we have of the truth behind an American legend.

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"California, Labor Day weekend . . . early, with ocean fog still in the streets, outlaw motorcyclists wearing chains, shades and greasy Levis roll out from damp garages, all-night diners and cast-off one-night pads in Frisco, Hollywood, Berdoo and East Oakl" Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

74 Reviews

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Isn't Your Typical Thompson, July 19 2004

By

G. W. Loftis "Dr Toast" (Weston, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hell's Angels (Paperback)

Having read Hell's Angels, A Strange and Terrible saga at least eight times starting in 1968, I never cease to be amazed at the criticisms leveled against it in the ensuing years, the major one being that it's not a Fear and Loathing book. I'm pretty sure it was originally a (very) long article written for The Nation magazine. The Nation ain't Rolling Stone, kids. If you are coming to this book expecting Hunter's usual blend of fact, fiction, and hallucinations, you will be sorely disappointed. "Gonzo journalist" though he is, the operative part there was journalist. He had, after all, developed a rather strong food habit since birth, and had no desire to kick it. He explores the Angels' mystique by letting them provide the history, their then current attitudes, and their lives as outlaws outside the system. He then blends research and his observations gleaned from riding with them for the better part of a year into the mix, producing a riveting book.

Since the recent death of Marlon Brando, his movie The Wild One has gained a new audience; it is in fact based on an incident Hunter chronicles in this book, the Rape of Hollister. Oddly, nothing remotely similar to the movie happened there, and some other legendary "motorcycle riots" such as the one at Laconia, New Hampshire, weren't initially riots at all, and certainly didn't involve the Angels, though the media portrayed these events as the brink of Armageddon and gave middle America yet another "dangerous group running wild in their midst," something else to freak over in addition to Communists hiding under every rock.

The Angels became, over time, what people expected them to be. Hunter recognized this transformational quality in his own profession: if other reporters, from respected national magazines, could make up stories or at least embellish them enough to freak people out, he could do it better! What you will find in Hell's Angels is great reporting, an unflinching look at real wildness and personal risk, and the genesis of what would become Hunter's trademark style.

If for no other reason, fans of Tom Wolfe, Ken Kesey, or the "Beats" (including the real "Dean Moriarty" from On the Road, still alive at the time, still driving, and hanging out with the Pranksters) should read this book for the legendary Acid Test at Kesey's place at La Honda when Hunter and the Angels showed up (by invitation, as Kesey was burning to meet them). In a singularly rare occurrence, we find two journalists just before they became instant icons writing about the same private party, rather than, say an inauguration, or awards ceremony, or some other public spectacle; the "public" was definitely not invited to La Honda. Compare Hunter's account of that weekend with the one that appears in the Electric Kool Aid Acid Test; you might just be surprised by who is the more "legitimate" writer.

I obviously love this book and highly recommend it, but again, it isn't FEAR and LOATHING WITH THE HELL'S ANGELS; it's far too serious a situation for that, as you will discover upon reading it. (And if that idea somehow still escapes you, watch Gimme Shelter, the great Maysles brothers' documentary of the Stones free concert at Altamont; if THAT doesn't do it, go down to your local biker bar and kick over a few choppers; you'll deserve what you get.)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hells Angels Review, May 24 2009

By

Bruce Martin (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hell's Angels (Paperback)

I have read and re-read this book since the late '60s and have been greatly influenced by it. While the book is ostensibly about the Hells Angels, in reality it is a stinging condemnation of American society of the time. It skewers the complacity, small-mindedness and uniformity that was prevalent then and may be even worse now. It also offers interesting snapshots of developing counter-cultural trends and personalities, movements that now seem like dead-ends.

Hunter S. Thompson uses the Hells Angels to personify a group that had been left behind by the American dream and knew it. By extension, they represent all the losers and misfits that could not find a place in the greater or "Great" society of the time. During the period in which the book was written, the Angels had not yet become the criminal force that they now are. Is it possible that the way they were marginalized contributed to their increasing viciousness and lawlessness?

Elements of the author's self-centredness and over-the-top behaviour are revealed in the book but there is nothing of the egomania and self-destructiveness of his later works. He had not yet adopted, in print at least, the kind of persona that would ultimately lead to his death by suicide.

Read it and weep.

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5.0 out of 5 stars An honest and unique book, Dec 12 2010

By

Wayne Kelley (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Hell's Angels (Paperback)

Hells Angels is an excellent read. It provides a solid foundation with respect to the history and beginnings of the Hells Angels motorcycle club. Thompson is extremely honest and forthcoming in this book as he talks about the Hells Angels MC and his experiences with them after spending over a year in their despicable company.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
While not as funny or well written as "Fear and Loathing", "Hell's Angels" is still a fantastic book. Read more

Published on Mar 22 2008 by Benjamin Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars not as good as Fear but still very good
Not as over the top or as wildly entertaining as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but still very well written and highly entertaining. Read more

Published on Dec 2 2007 by Paul J. Fitzgerald