Generation Of Swine HC Gonzo Papers Vol 2 Hunter S Thompson

Description

Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the ’80’s Hardcover
by Hunter S. Thompson
Book 2 of 4: The Gonzo Papers

From the bestselling author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the legendary Hunter S. Thompson’s second volume of the “Gonzo Papers” is back. Generation of Swine collects hundreds of columns from the infamous journalist’s 1980s tenure at the San Francisco Examiner.

Here, against a backdrop of late-night tattoo sessions and soldier-of-fortune trade shows, Dr. Thompson is at his apocalyptic best-covering emblematic events such as the 1987-88 presidential campaign, with Vice President George Bush, Sr., fighting for his life against Republican competitors like Alexander Haig, Pat Buchanan, and Pat Robertson; detailing the GOP’s obsession with drugs and drug abuse; while at the same time capturing momentous social phenomena as they occurred, like the rise of cable, satellite TV, and CNN-24 hours of mainline news. Showcasing his inimitable talent for social and political analysis, Generation of Swine is vintage Thompson-eerily prescient, incisive, and enduring.

The fascinating thing about reading Hunter’s essays is all the lost episodes of history and the realization that over time events that are so important for a single moment vanish.

This collection focuses mainly on 1984 through 1988 and the fall of Reganism. At the beginning of 1987 Regan was a lame duck president – Gart Hart was the savior of Democracy – and Ollie North and George Bush the First were looking like they had to prepare for 10-20 years behind bars.

Of course the frightening conclusion is that in the end the swine won – Ollie North was an American Hero (even though he was responsible for putting the weapons in the hands of Irans who would kill dozens of american soliders) George Bush was heir to the throne (even though he was dirtier than Nixon) Gart Hart was ostracized and Regan is now considered the greatest president since FDR.

So near so far.

As a child of the 1980s, I never realized how messed up that decade was. Hunter Thompson sets the record straight about the Reagan years. They were horrible, disappointing and savagely tilted against the small fry. Why didn’t George H.W. Bush wind up in jail for Iran/Contra? Too connected, yes, but the sheer incompetence of the Democratic Congress greatly facilitated his escape to the Oval Office. Generation of Swine was his term of endearment for my generation. He wasn’t wrong. It was a time of failed investigations and deflated expectations, all wrapped neatly in anti-drug propaganda and the insipid pursuit of parachute pants. Makes me miss Hunter all the more. A truly amazing journalistic voice forever silenced, but for these time trapped outbursts of genius.

Like new. 4th printing.