Archive Letter: Going All Gonzo

Hunter S. Thompson dedicated his life to pushing things to the limit. In this letter to an editor at Playboy, he reflects on the style of an epic biographical feature he was working on.

  • Words: Avaunt

Hunter S. Thompson was a journalist and author dedicated to pushing things to the limit, both in his art and personal life. Politically minded, he became known for his intense hatred of President Nixon. He ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in Colorado and has been quoted as saying, “I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.”

He committed suicide in 2005 aged 67, and his ashes were fired out of a huge cannon into the atmosphere in a ceremony arranged by his friend, Johnny Depp.

We salute all your wonderful, brave and crazy adventures, Mr. Thompson.

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Further Reading

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The Year of the Panther

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Life. Limitless.

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Remembering Havel

A philosopher president who did more than any other individual to translate the anarchic avant-garde spirit of ’68 into political reality.
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