Synopses & Reviews
From quasi Hells Angel to counterculture author and gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson led a life of legend. This remarkable book focuses on his most productive (and profligate) period. By a highly regarded author who knew him intimately, it takes us from Thompsons earliest, improbable success to his gradual, heartbreaking decline.
Jay Cowan, who was caretaker on Thompsons ranch, paints a sensitive portrait of a man who redefined participatory journalism, who captured the decadence and depravity of an era, and who generally consumed more drugs and alcohol than any other living creature on the planet. In his role as Americas rock star author,” Thompson was invited to the White House (where he claimed to have snorted coke with presidential aides) and was friends with some of Americas biggest celebrities. A self-professed lazy hillbilly,” he came to believe that immersing himself totally in a story and even becoming the story himself, and then writing it all in a multiday, deadline-cheating frenzy of drugs and sleeplessness, was the only way to proceed. It had worked for Kerouac, it had worked for Thompson himself with Hells Angels, and it meshed perfectly with his desired lifestyle.
Providing extraordinary new insights into the legendary writers creative and destructive impulses, Cowan also recounts how his intimacy with Thompson led him into numerous knife-edge situationswhether standing uncomfortable witness to the turmoil of the writers various relationships or hoping Thompson was thinking clearly when handling guns.
Featuring previously unpublished color photos, this book provides the most compelling and readable portrait to date of one of Americas most extraordinary personalities.
Review
This is by far the most thought-provoking and honest look at the late outlaw journalist
HUNTER S. THOMPSON is the most cohesive and comprehensive text yet to be written and is well worth the hours.”
- Steve Rosen, CurledUp.com
"Imagine Hunter Thompson as your landlord . . . as your next door neighbor. Jay Cowan spent several years living just a few yards away from Hunter and lived to tell this tale. With insight and grace, he shows us what Hunter S. Thompson was like off-stage. He also shows how this much-misunderstood man was underestimated as a craftsman. This book brims with madness and affection, not to mention fear and loathing. All gonzo fans will treasure this monumentally entertaining story."William Mckeen
Author, Outlaw Journalist: The Life and Times of Hunter S.Thompson
Review
Many would like a ringside seat to the life of Hunter Thompson, but Jay Cowan provides something more: he puts you in the ring. Cowan was not merely an observer, but a friend and confidant for over three decades. Part of this time he actually lived on Thompsons Colorado compound. The writing and chemical consumption that made Thompson famous is all here, but so are many moments when Thompson wasnt playing to his reputation, so that in the end we have an intimate portrait of the man, good and bad, that only Jay Cowan could provide. Were Thompson able to read
Hunter S. Thompson, he may not always like it, but hed have to admit its the truth.
Scott Lasser
Novelist, Author of "All I Could Get" and "Battle Creek"
Synopsis
From military sportswriter to roving correspondent for the National Observer, from quasi Hells Angel to counterculture author and gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson led a life of legend. Hunter S. Thompson: The Glory Years tells the remarkable insiders story. Jay Cowan, who was caretaker on Thompsons ranch and a trusted friend, paints a sensitive portrait of a man who redefined participatory journalism, who captured the decadence of the era, and generally consumed more drugs and alcohol than any other living creature on the planet. A self-professed “lazy hillbilly,” Hunter Thompson would immerse himself researching a story, then write it all in a multi-day frenzy of drugs and sleeplessness. In his role as Americas “rock star author,” he was invited to the White House (where he claimed to have snorted coke with presidential aides) and rubbed elbows with celebrities. Featuring previously unpublished color photos, this book provides the most compelling and readable portrait to date of one of Americas most extraordinary personalities.
Synopsis
Cowan, who was caretaker on Thompson's ranch and a trusted friend, paints a sensitive portrait of a man who redefined participatory journalism, who captured the decadence of the era, and generally consumed more drugs and alcohol than any other living creature on the planet.
Synopsis
From military sportswriter to roving correspondent for the National Observer, from quasi Hells Angel to counterculture author and gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson led a life of legend. Hunter S. Thompson: The Glory Years tells the remarkable insiders story.
Synopsis
The true believer. The hopeful romantic. The King of Fun. The last honest man. The guy who always bets his heart and knows its wrong but cant stop himself.
Hunter S. Thompson
* Just like he loved Hunter, Warren Zevon would have loved this book.”
Crystal Zevon
Imagine Hunter Thompson as your landlord . . . as your next door neighbor. Jay Cowan spent several years living just a few yards away from Hunter and lived to tell this tale. With insight and grace, he shows us what Hunter S. Thompson was like off-stage. He also shows how this much-misunderstood man was underestimated as a craftsman. This book brims with madness and affection, not to mention fear and loathing. All gonzo fans will treasure this monumentally entertaining story.”
William McKeen, author, Outlaw Journalist: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson
About the Author
Jay Cowan has published more than 500 articles in over fifty magazines and newspapers, from Outside to Sports Illustrated to Newsday. Editor in chief at Aspen Sojourner magazine, and the recipient of several writing awards.