Fear and the Loathing in Las Vegas

6b, Hunter S. Thompson, Illustrations by Ralph Steadman, FIRST edition 1971 

Notes

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1971 novel by Hunter S. Thompson that blends journalism, fiction, and autobiography into a wild, satirical portrait of American culture. Written in Thompson’s signature “Gonzo journalism” style, the book follows Raoul Duke (Thompson’s alter ego) and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, on a drug-fueled trip to Las Vegas. Ostensibly there to cover a motorcycle race and later a law enforcement conference, their journey quickly descends into chaos, hallucination, and absurdity.

Beneath its outrageous humor and excess, the book offers a sharp critique of the American Dream. Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Thompson reflects on the collapse of the era’s idealism, the disillusionment following the counterculture movement, and the growing sense of moral and political confusion in the United States. Las Vegas becomes a symbol of hollow excess—bright, loud, and empty—contrasting sharply with the fading hopes of the previous decade.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is both hilarious and unsettling, celebrated for its fearless style, vivid imagery, and biting social commentary. It remains one of the most influential works of American countercultural literature and a defining example of Gonzo journalism.

Description

Gray hardback with black spine, deboss image on front, dust jacket, some fading to upper and lower binding, intact, fine condition.