I think I read Songs of the Doomed  (Songs of the Doomed : More Notes on the Death of the American Dream Gonzo Papers, Vol. 3) in 1990 or so as an introduction to Hunter Thompson (RIP), and recently got to hear the Audiobook version  - what a trip. It flew by, and hearing the gruff and gargled voice of HST was a real treat.
How right on he was about the direction of the nation is uncanny, he was such a consistent honest voice pointing out the moral shortcomings of the political elite in society in his lifetime.
In the Audiobook version HST interjects commentary and riffs between chapters, quite a blast to hear.
If you want a good into to HST, find the Audiobook and take a listen (check the library first if funds are short).