I do not know how many times I have read this book in the past 30 years but I would guess at least a dozen times. Every presidential election year I re-read it. “Fear and Loathing On The Campaign Trail’72” by Dr. Hunter S. Thompson along with “Ball Four” by Jim Bouton are the two books that I continue to go back to.  The 1972 election was 40 years ago. One of the central figures in this book George McGovern passed away yesterday. Most of the central figures in this book are gone including Dr. Thompson.

This is the best book I’ve ever read about a presidential campaign. Dr. Thompson was on the campaign trail for Rolling Stone magazine. This is not only an incredibly insightful book but one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Again, I’ve read this at least a dozen times but every time I re-read it there are  numerous passages that have me laughing out loud. This is Hunter S. Thompson at the peak of his powers. This is my favourite Thompson book and I’ve read everything he put out. {Most would go with “Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas” as their favourite Thompson book, I love that one too, but being a political junkie this one is mine.}