Ralph Steadman Books

any book by Ralph Steadman requires serious and not so serious reading. his perspective on life is truly unique and worthy of consideration.

I'm very pleased with my purchase...It arrived promptly, well packaged, and in stellar condition. A flawless venture.

I love his work, have since he did the cover art and animation for Pink Floyd The Wall. This book is worth grabbing if you respect the artistic value of total insanity and the furthering of freedom of expression.

May the ghost of Hunter S. Thompson come down and become the next President of the United States - and may Ralph Steadman be his Art Director!

Having had, as many people did, my first taste of Ralph via Hunter S Thompson's books, I found this to be a great introduction to the Hyperactive and frantic style of a dude who is probably my favourite artist. This has a forward by Hunter, gives great colour examples of his works in the realm of Gonzo, and also has many written, poetical works, and songs. My fave piece is 'Stand up and be counted.' IE: The maverick beast will ALWAYS raise his head in the crowd. A perfect definition of Gonzo.

This book is filled with loads of laugh-out-loud scenes. O'Brien is especially good at setting up a scene and then delivering a hilarious punchline. Even when the reader can predict how the joke will play out, O'Brien teases the story out in such a way to make the humor even funnier. Each chapter is episodic and stands on its own, but there's a wonderful arc to the entire book. The allusions to Irish history, literature, and folklore add to the writing, and O'Brien really captures the style of writers like Tomas O'Crohan and Peig Sayers. There also are some clever allusions to Wm Butler Yeats and John Millington Syne. I found the satire to be a good-natured, tongue-in-cheek humor that revolves around hyperbole and even surrealism. I find it curious that some fans of Gaelic literature, especially those who admire the real "poor mouth" writers, would be offended by the book. I like the writing of O'Crohan, Sayers, and others, and O'Brien's satire actually seems to complement and enhance the humor in their books, rather than cynically criticize their tomes. O'Brien's real target seems to be more focused on the misty-eyed romanticism of readers of Gaelic writing.

The bleak atmosphere and the beautiful, flowing prose in "The Poor Mouth" are completely at odds, which is what makes this novel so hilarious. O'Coonassa has no idea what's happening to him much of the time, but he dutifully records it as best he can, with amazingly comical results.

The concept here is much like a Buster Keaton film, in that the protagonist is presumably ignorant, but he keeps a sharp eye on events, and he's basically good-hearted (except when he has to resort to stealing a pig or a chicken or some silverware, just to stay alive).

Have you ever had a laughing fit while reading on a bus? It was almost enough to have me committed.Although not personally aware of any Irish in my blood, the way this erupted in me makes it a strong chance.

It has never been better explained why so many Irish ended up in America and elsewhere abroad. A true story!

Lighten up guys. This is satire. Flan O'Brien is satirising those - like Yeats - who mythologised a Celtic and Gaelic past that never existed. The spirit is like Paddy Kananagh - but it's satire rather than gritty realism. Understand?

This book is an inside joke, and a classic at that. It is a grand send up of professional Irish (both at home and abroad). As example, consider a book written in Gaelic making sport of the Gaelic movement by means of a Gaelic festival. ( In ourland of the professional ethnic festival, this might serve as an effective antidote to "Irish" nights and "Scots weekends.") If you are inclined to romanticize villages of the old sod dominated by pigs, mud, rain and potatos, avoid this work. If you want a great classic of the jaundiced eye school of literature, read this book. By the way, some of the fun lies in the many parodies of Irish literary works in the assorted chapters; knowledge of the genre helps.

This novel is a classic of American Literature in the same right as Moby Dick, The Scarlet Letter, The Catcher in the Rye, and countless others. True, it's not appreciated by everyone (as can be seen in the reviews below) but neither was and is Moby Dick. This is definitely a baroque classic too, and it was groundbreaking in its own time (which it may not be anymore, logically, but that's not all the book is about, far from that).

As some have said before me, it's indeed a great window open on an era now dead: the sad end of all the dreams of the 60's; and that is important to our own time because I am not sure we ever recovered from all those dead dreams. Even in my generation, I know a lot of people who still look back with major nostalgia even though they didn't even exist exist in the 60's. That was a very significant moment in time during the 20th century and it certainly set the setting for as far as today.

Some say there is no real plot to this book; much the same can be and was said about Moby Dick. I won't deny that, but I will point out that not all books are about "plots" and that there is ALWAYS a plot, no matter how minimal or nonsensical it gets. A trip to nowhere without any clear direction in search of the American Dream, what do you expect? A clear plot with obvious twists and the likes? Of course not.

That book is fun, disturbing, daring, and much deeper and serious than it may appear to the shallow reader. Definitely worth it, and definitely classic. Wandering around the still smoking embers of the Fallen Dream with Hunter S. Thompson is an experience you don't want to miss.

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream" by Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter Thompson practiced total immersion journalism. This form of reporting is called gonzo journalism.

Hunter Thompson drove to Las Vegas to report on a motorcycle race and ended up writing a story about himself writing a story about a motorcycle race. If he would have written a conventional report on motorcycle racing it would have been interesting to motorcycle enthusiasts for a few days. Since he wrote a gonzo story he had a very wide canvas and he used it well to create a classic.

The reader might be turned off by the obstreperous behavior, extreme self indulgence and offensive inconsiderate language. If you can look past this offensive conduct and you will see that Hunter Thompson gave us an insight into the American character of the 1970's.

See also: Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library)

I completely enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

This was the first book by Thompson that I ever read, some 10 years ago, and it truly opened my eyes to an entirely new literary world of action and well, savagery. This is as odd, brutal, funny, strange, and well, savage, as other reviewers have pointed out. Mr Thompson has a brilliant way of writing that truly lets the reader feel the bad craziness that's going on in the story, or at least feel the adrenaline pumping. His descriptions and metaphors as indeed his language are spot on and incredibly well conceived (he did indeed have a vivid imagination). He always proclaimed later, that there was only one man who could've written "Fear and Lothing in Las Vegas", and I believe he is right.

I recommend reading the book in one go, take an afternoon with a good whiskey near by (only don't get so drunk you don't know the world around you) and read the book cover to cover. It's really a gratifying experience. You can leave out the drink, but the cover to cover in one go is a must. This way of reading really lets you feel the intensity of the story. And my oh my is it ever intense!

Highest possible recommendation. Get it now!

Despite the excessive drug use in this piece, there is an undeniable window to an extremely fascinating era. Maybe you're right, maybe this novel isn't for kids. It needs to be appreciated on a mature level. One doesn't need to be a drug user to appreciate the intellectually stimulating imagery that mimics the effects of the aforementioned drugs. Dr. Thompson's words may be a little harsh at times, but the feelings they invoke are highly entertaining and priceless in their own accord. In short, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

No one does it like Dr. HST, may he RIP.

The savage pursuit of the American Dream . . . aaaaaaah love it!

This is a generational classic far superior to Catcher in the Rye, On the Road, Less than Zero . . . you name it.

It will change your life, even if it's "too late."

Live the dream, HST style.

This is the pentultament source for the history and intrigue of scotch...who is "doing" who and how does scotch go from hops, water, and copper pot to the necture of the gods - this is the ultimate source book...And it is written with a sense of irony and humor. Buy this book...if you love scotch you will adore this book.

Being a fan of single malt whiskies myself, I really appreciate his knowledge, at the same time that I am taken by his whimsical humour.(I am Canajian,eh?) His illustrations are outstanding, and he is a truly inspired watercolourist.

A man with an amazing eye and attention to detail. If you don't know who Winston Smith is, he is an amazing collage artist who juxtaposes various images from 40's/50's magazines. A great commentator in the visual form, his prints have a great take on pop culture. In case you don't know who he is, Winston Smith has been involved the punk rock art community since the late-70's with partner in crime, Jello Biafra. He's done ALL sorts of flyers, album covers, clothing designs, logos, EVERYTHING. If you know who he is, you'll know what's in the book, great art.

Ralph Steadman was the perfect artist to accompany the crazy, drug-addled travel writing of Hunter S. Thompson. Even though Steadman is not a serious user of hallucinogenics, his art can be very deceiving otherwise. A real gem of an art book.

I recently read "Animal Farm" with my Sophomore English class. Whereas my students had the Signet version of the novella (the only one available in the school's Book Room), I trotted out my hardbound 50th Anniversary edition (the version I am reviewing) and read from it, mainly because it had larger text size than the students' paperbacks.

I'm not going to get too much into the plot of "Animal Farm" as I believe if you're reading this review it's to decide WHICH VERSION of the novella is best. The book deals with the revolt and eventual takeover of an English farm by farm animals who viewed themselves as being mistreated by their human masters. Not only is "Animal Farm" an allegory of the Russian Revolution, it teaches very valuable lessons of how those in power operate (and manipulate the populace) to stay in power. Don't feel that this book is trapped in time, as many of my students made connections with the events from the story with what they see on the news today (Iraq, social injustice, political doublespeak, etc.).

Orwell's narrative is an excellent story (though I think his "1984" is the better work) and is the same here, as in other versions. So why buy this PARTICULAR version? Quite simply, for Steadman's artwork which added so much to the story. His illustrations are not "classically" beautiful, but have a pop-art feel to them that is a perfect complement to Orwell's writing. The book is beautifully rendered and is IMO well worth the extra money.

What this version lacks that other versions offer is editorial commentary; there are no essays about the significance of Orwell's work or biography of his life at the beginnning of the book. However, the editors do include Orwell's proposed Preface to the original edition of "Animal Farm" as well as the Preface to the Ukranian edition (and "No, it's not written in Ukranian"). Both are appendices at the end of the novella; both are free of extraneous commentary allowing the Reader to make up his/her own mind about the written words (which is what Orwell would have us do, right?).

Beautiful bookmaking. A fitting tribute to a modern classic.

I first came across this book at a friend's house while peaking on acid. At the time, I believed in God, and was reverent of all this creation business we find ourselves in. This book looks at God and It's creation through a very jaundiced eye, with compelling, horrifying and undeniably adept illustrations and text. It took me years to be able to see God again beyond the film of revulsion and fear this book drew down over my eyes, but my faith is stronger for it. I think Steadman would laugh if he read that last sentence, and I think he should, too--but believe me when I tell you that the first time you pick up this book, you should be solid in your faith, and you should NOT be on LSD! :-)

A handsome packaging of material from Jules Feiffer, David Levine, and Ralph Steadman. The volume is a visual and verbal feast, wildly entertaining and informative. Thanks be to Fantagraphics!

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream" by Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter Thompson practiced total immersion journalism. This form of reporting is called gonzo journalism.

Hunter Thompson drove to Las Vegas to report on a motorcycle race and ended up writing a story about himself writing a story about a motorcycle race. If he would have written a conventional report on motorcycle racing it would have been interesting to motorcycle enthusiasts for a few days. Since he wrote a gonzo story he had a very wide canvas and he used it well to create a classic.

The reader might be turned off by the obstreperous behavior, extreme self indulgence and offensive inconsiderate language. If you can look past this offensive conduct and you will see that Hunter Thompson gave us an insight into the American character of the 1970's.

See also: Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library)

I completely enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.