Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is largely fictional, contrary to popular belief. While published as general nonfiction by Random House in 1972, only about 25% of the events described actually occurred.

The story originated from two separate assignments: covering the Mint 400 race for Sports Illustrated and reporting on a National District Attorneys' Conference for Rolling Stone magazine. Thompson traveled to Las Vegas with attorney Oscar Zeta Acosta, who became the inspiration for Dr. Gonzo in the book.

Key facts about the book's reality versus fiction:

• Thompson admitted in letters to his editor that there was no actual drug use, calling it "a very conscious attempt to simulate drug freakout"
• The notorious trunk full of drugs was fabricated
• Claims about trashing The Mint's Room 1850 and stealing 600 bars of soap were denied by hotel staff
• The Debbie Reynolds show incident never happened as described
• The timeline between the two assignments was compressed from over a month to just one week

One verified true event was documented in the 2008 documentary "Gonzo," where Thompson and Acosta were recorded at a Boulder City taco stand asking about the "American Dream," which became Chapter 9 of the book.

Thompson himself acknowledged the book's fictional nature, stating he "imposed an essentially fictional framework on what began as a piece of straight/crazy journalism." The work remains a masterpiece of gonzo journalism, blending fact and fiction to create a unique commentary on American culture.

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