Dive into Hunter S. Thompson’s work

Reading and Watching Recommendations

If you’re inspired to discover or re-visit Hunter S. Thompson’s work after seeing the musical, here are our recommendations of great places to dive in.

Joe Iconis’ top book recommendations, as noted in the show

  • Hells Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (1967)
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971)
  • Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail (1972)

These and other books are available from Warwick’s and other independent local book stores.

Read online

The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved

The article that marked the first appearance of what became Hunter S. Thompson’s signature “gonzo” journalism style, originally published in Scanlan’s Monthly in June 1970. Also Thompson’s first collaboration with illustrator Ralph Steadman.

Watch on YouTube

Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

A 2006 documentary about Hunter S. Thompson, featuring interviews with Hunter’s family and friends including Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, Bill Murray, Sean Penn, John Cusack, Hunter’s wife Anita, son Juan, former Senators George McGovern and Gary Hart, Tom Wolfe, William F. Buckley, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton and Ralph Steadman.

Watch for free on Pluto TV

Gonzo, The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson

Directed by Alex Gibney, this 2008 documentary details Hunter S. Thompson’s landmark writings on music and politics. Friends and family including Tom Wolfe and Ralph Steadman describe the mythos of Hunter and his life.  (Also available on some other TV platforms, some for a fee.)

Photo credit: Gabriel Ebert as “Hunter” in La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere production of THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL; photo by Rich Soublet II.

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2024 September
2024 October
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