The Joke's Over - Hardcover

Steadman, Ralph

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0434016063 ISBN 13: 9780434016068

Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd, 2006

Synopsis

In the spring of 1970, Ralph Steadman went to America in search of work and found more than he bargained for. In Kentucky to cover the Derby, he met a former Hells Angel called Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson wrote later: 'The rest of that day blurs into madness. The rest of that night too. And all the next day and night. Such horrible things occurred that I can't bring myself even to think about them now, much less put them down in print. Steadman was lucky to get out of Louisville without serious injuries, and I was lucky to get out at all.' That meeting nevertheless resulted in a working relationship and a friendship that lasted for more than thirty years. In "The Joke's Over", Ralph Steadman tells the story of a remarkable collaboration that documented the turbulent years of the Civil Rights movement, Nixon and Watergate, and the decay of the American Dream. It is also the story of an unusual friendship, of both unique understanding and of extraordinary betrayals. Few people knew Thompson as well as Ralph Steadman did. In this remarkable memoir, elegaic, bizarre and hilarious, Steadman tells his story for the first time, the story - in words and pictures - of Ralph and Hunter, a great British original on a great American original, Butch and Sundance on acid...

About this title

Review:

'A priceless artefact for Thompson devotees ... Hilarious' -- TLS

'Indispensible' -- GQ

`Steadman's name is for ever welded to Thompson's, a fate he both celebrates and rues in this fascinating book, full of sad charm, and not too full of Hunter - just full enough ... This memoir has undeniable depth, thanks to Steadman's willingness to not merely record his life-threatening relationship with Thompson, but to do a bit of collateral detective work of his own.' -- The Guardian

`an utterly engrossing read ... spirited and amusing' -- New Statesman

Book Description:

Ralph Steadman's hilarious and revealing story of his bizarre and crazy relationship with Hunter Thompson.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0434016063
• ISBN 13: 9780434016068
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416