Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream is a novel by Hunter S. Thompson, illustrated by Ralph Steadman. The book is a roman à clef, rooted in autobiographical incidents. The story follows its protagonist, Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, as they descend on Las Vegas to chase the American Dream through a drug-induced haze. The novel first appeared as a two-part series in Rolling Stone magazine in 1971, was printed as a book the same year, and was later adapted into a film of the same name in 1998 starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro.According to The New York Times,  Fear and Loathing "cemented Mr. Thompson's place as a singular presence in American journalism or, as he once called himself, 'a connoisseur of edge work.'"

In November 1971, Rolling Stone published the text as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, a two-part article with the original illustrations by Ralph Steadman. Later that same year, Random House quickly published the hardcover edition with additional Steadman illustrations. First editions from Random House state "First Edition" along with a number line having '2' as its lowest number and no additional printings listed.

First editions of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream signed by Hunter S. Thompson sell for upwards of $7,000.