geordieeliot's Full Review: Hunter S. Thompson - Fear and Loathing: On the Cam...
Today I am feeling smug. ‘What’s new?’ I hear you ask, and of course that is incredibly funny. What isn’t funny is that in 1972 the American people re-elected Richard Nixon by one of the largest margins in history. Richard Nixon, a man who, to quote Bobby Kennedy, represents the dark side of the American spirit. In 1972 Hunter S. Thompson was the Political Editor of ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine and after the election was over he bundled all his articles together and created ‘Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 㣬’.
Rather in the style of the more scholarly ‘The Making of the President 1972’ by Theodore White, this book covers the New Hampshire Primary through the conventions on to Nixon’s second inauguration. However, unlike White’s account it is almost entirely focused on the Democratic challenge, and in particular that of George McGovern. Presumably this was down to his readers’ interest. The readers of ‘Rolling Stone’ probably weren’t much interested in Richard Nixon or Edmund Muskie.
Despite this rather lopsided nature though ‘Fear and Loathing’ is still a rip-roaring read, focusing as it does on the gritty underside of American (and indeed all) politics. It is unlikely that a columnist for the New York Times would have documented Muskie’s ‘breakdown’ being caused by ‘gila monsters…apparently clawing at his legs.’ It is also unlikely that a Johnny Apple would have given his press badge to a drug addict who then ran amok in his name.
Despite this seeming irreverence towards the job in hand, Thompson manages to capture the spirit of the election perfectly, the certain ‘joie de vivre’ that accompanied the McGovern campaign. Surprisingly, Thompson’s analysis is of a higher standard that one might expect. The way he describes the theoretical ‘battleplans’ of all the major candidates is amazingly accurate, and the description of the benefits of a good ‘palm card’ system makes a dull, if intellectually stimulating concept, amazingly readable.
The book itself does also benefit from Thompson’s pledge not to safeguard any sources, a normal journalistic procedure. Instead, he publishes everything and anything, providing a deeper account of what is actually happening, rather than an account subjected to press secretary ‘spin’.
However, although this book is a good read, it is not sufficient on its own to act as a complete study of the 1972 election. At times he is almost blinded by hatred of politicians such as Humphrey and Nixon, while he also fails to mention McGovern’s inadequacy as a campaigner. Instead he places the entire blame at the feet of Thomas Eagleton, McGovern’s initial ‘running mate’. This lack of objectivity does reduce the value of this collection in terms of providing an insight into the American presidential system. Also, the way he describes the parliamentary procedure which clinches McGovern’s nomination but tears the party apart, is rudimentary and provides much heat but little light, to an admittedly complex subject. I certainly feel that a more scholarly approach works much better in such circumstances.
However, since it is such a good read it would work in perfect harmony with a book, such as the aforementioned, ‘The Making of the President’ which would provide the detailed analysis which is somewhat lacking. Also, it can be claimed that the story itself is gripping enough to justify purchase even if you possess little interest in the 1972 election.
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