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degree that no other pundit or talking head of the time period could match.

In the last few years of his life, Hunter S. Thompson concentrated more on his beloved sports coverage than politics. Even his take on sports bore the Gonzo style that was his hallmark; couching his observations in the context of wild-eyed and ferocious gambling habit which brought him in contact with his trademark circle of diverse friends and acquaintances. Discussion of politics (at least on the published page) was often limited to sidebars and stray observations. Still, his occasional musings on the various misadventures of the Bush administration were razor sharp and generally a step or two ahead of the curve.

Ever since the publication of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, people have tried to imitate Thompson's Gonzo style with varying degrees of success. The popular misconception is that Gonzo is all about finding the right blend of drugs, randomness and profanity. This is pig-headed and wrong and is responsible in a way for Thompson's own love/hate relationship with "Gonzo Journalism." What many of Thompson's imitators never realize is that the man had extensive traditional journalism chops. It is that ability to skillfully craft a traditional narrative that allowed Hunter to break the rules as thoroughly as he did.

On February 20, 2005, Hunter S. Thompson ended his own life. Leaving behind an impressive body of work that will forever be imitated by never duplicated.

Learn more about this author, Eric Stoveken.
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