"There are a lot of ways to practice the art of journalism, and one of them is to use your art like a hammer to destroy the right people...

...who are almost always your enemies, for one reason or another, and who usually deserved to be crippled because they are wrong."

My review of "Better Than Sex: Confessions of a Political Junkie," by Hunter S. Thompson--

One thing must be understood when reading Thompson's works -- he was almost always under the influence of some substance, but still remained a rambling genius until the day he decided to end his life.

This book covers the entirety of the 1992 election that pitted democrat Bill Clinton against former President George H.W. Bush. This includes (as does all the other literature in "The Gonzo Papers," series) articles published for Rolling Stone, letters, faxes, and hastily scribbled notes and musings. Sections of the book are primarily addressed to Clinton, referred to as Bubba.

"Well, Bubba -- you'll want to mix yourself a real stiff drink before you sit down to read this one..."

It is clear that in his older age, Thompson was content to stay holed up in his fortress in Woody Creek - Aspen, Colo. and spend maddening hours glued to CNN and his fax machine. He initially endorses Ross Perot for the sole reason of throwing a wrench into things. When it becomes clear that Perot is fading from the ballot, he half-heartedly changes camp to endorse Clinton with the rest of his Rolling Stone affairs staff.

The most humorous portion of the book is hands-down when Thompson learns of Clinton's admittance to smoking marijuana, but not inhaling it. He sarcastically makes reference to Clinton being upstanding by not inhaling multiple times throughout the book, all of which made me laugh to myself. Other endeavors include drunken escapades with political strategician James Carville such as accusations Carville stealing his wallet to buy women drinks, and Thompson faxing him hilariously awful campaign advice.

At the risk of sounding phony, my favorite parts were the back-and-forth interviews and faxes between Clinton and Thompson. Although they only officially interviewed once in person before the election, Clinton always took time to fax Thompson back and comment on his depraved drawings or advice (even from the White House). So did his eminent staffer George Stephanopoulos, in greater detail.

Thompson, at heart, had a natural and ravenous hunger for politics and everything that went along with it. Many people only know him from his debauched drug-addled journalist travelings through Las Vegas and unique style. This is a shame in many instances, but the fact remains that he was one of the most prominent and truly outspoken political journalist.

Easily accessible for anyone born in an era that remembers Bill Clinton, "Better Than Sex," provides an inside look at Thompson's motivations, passions and work. While it may never be the first literature of his people will read, it should be on the short list of follow-ups.



"When the going gets weird..."

Note: If you have a netflix account, or leech off mine, I highly recommend the recent documentary on Thompson's life "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson," which is available through instant streaming. It is narrated by his personal friend Johnny Depp if that entices anyone.