Melville House Books

Sales of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson‘s books are “soaring,” according to an Associated Press wire story. The report says Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, for example, have lifted it to number 15 on the Amazon.com bestseller list, and the book’s publisher, Vintage, is going back for a “significant” reprinting. Says Vintage spokesman Russell Perreault, “We usually sell about 60,000-70,000 copies a year of that book and our next printing will be close to that total.” Meanwhile, a family spokesman, historian and author Douglas Brinkley, has reiterated that “Thompson did not take his life ‘in a moment of haste or anger or despondency’ and probably planned his suicide well in advance because of his declining health.” And it looks as if Thompson will get his wish regarding having his ashes shot out of a cannon — “Colorado fireworks impresario” Marc Williams has apparently been contacted and says it’s “doable.” He tells the AP, “Oh, sweet. I’d love to. I would so love to.”

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.