Newly Discovered Old Robert Hunter Book Released!

[lbpesq]

Robert Hunter’s widow found a manuscript that Hunter wrote in the very early 60’s about his adventures with Garcia, Trist, and others they hung with.  “The Silver Snarling Trumpet”.  I just downloaded it onto my iPad.  It’s next up when I finish Crosby’s second book.


Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

Than ks, Bill; just placed a hold through the library!

Peter (who returned Crosby's 2nd one yesterday)

[David Houck]

So, what did you guys think of Crosby's 2nd?

[lbpesq]

I’m about 3/4 through the second book.  Honestly, it almost feels like a chore to finish reading it.   While the part of the first book covering the freebase years was somewhat depressing, it was still a compelling story.  The second book is more like Crosby’s random musings with a little too much rehab/sober/AA/NA content for my taste.  Especially all the other folks providing their 2-3 paragraph musings on sobriety.   Also a lot of Crosby spouting lollipops and roses about the greatness of life/friends/family.  Not as well written or interesting as the first which tells the chronological story.  The second jumps around in time, pretending to be a movie script with scenes in non-chronological order.

Bill, tgo

[BeenDown139]

...Honestly, it almost feels like a chore to finish reading it.   While the part of the first book covering the freebase years was somewhat depressing, it was still a compelling story...

i spent alot of time around some heavy drug users in hte 70's, reading about it was kind of like a horrific bad flashback. i had a close friend who was freebasing in the early 80's and it pretty well destroyed him, his family and anybody around him.  although i have to say, i neverr saw epic drug use like DC's.  basing outside a courtroom while awaiting a hearing on drug charges?  classic!
sounds like his prison stint was easy time.  it doesn't work that way these days at least not in this state.
not sure i wanna slog thru the second book.

[cozmik_cowboy]

While I agree with Bill that the first book was a bit better written, I did enjoy the second one, as the first leaves us almost 40 years ago & this one gives us a chunk of that.
But I do enjoy the "Ask Cros" YouTube channel more.

Peter

[David Houck]

Thanks for the responses.  Don't know if I'll read the second book.

[lbpesq]

I checked out a few of the “Ask Croz” videos mentioned above.  They were done by Rolling Stone Magazine.   Each is just a few minutes.  VERY entertaining.   David plays Dear Abby to questions that would never get in Dear Abby. Lol!

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

i was turned on to them by a friend who, in recommending them, called Cros "one of our few actual Elders".  I liked that.

Peter

[lbpesq]

Well I started the new Hunter book.   I’m about 20 pages in and, to be honest, it has been a struggle.  I hope it will get better, but I’m beginning to suspect why it wasn’t previously published.   I’m curious about other readers’ thoughts.

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

Still waiting for it to come in.
I'll keep you posted.

Peter

[StephenR]

Have a copy of the Hunter book on hold at the local library, they have it on order but no available copies yet. I have read positive comments about it elsewhere. My understanding is that it is a chronicle of the local scene in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park era as the transition from the Beats to the Hippies occurred. I don't expect the refinement of Hunter's later writing but he always had a gift for words so I am looking forward to checking it out.

[David Houck]

... the transition from the Beats to the Hippies ...

A fascinating and, in my view, important time in our history.

[edwin]

I've been really enjoying the new Hunter book. It's definitely very much of its time and I'm sure a part of it is that you had to be there to totally get it, but since I wasn't there, I'm glad I can read it.

[David Houck]

Reviews of Hunter's book on Amazon are mixed.