The Joke’s Over (by Ralph Steadman)

THE JOKE’S OVER by Ralph Steadman (unabridged) is presented by Blackstone Audio and comes with what is perhaps the best audiobook app available (see FEATURES, below).

"Enormously entertaining." (Boston Globe)

Few people knew Hunter S. Thompson as well as Ralph Steadman did. Their long friendship gave birth to what became known as gonzo journalism. This no-holds-barred memoir tells of their unique collaboration that documented the turbulent years of the ’60s and ’70s in a friendship defined by both betrayal and understanding.

Self-contained, this audiobook app is perfect for your commute, on a trip, or while relaxing. Based on a library-quality recording, this app was built especially for your iPhone and iPod Touch. No unreadable text, no endless scrolling on a tiny screen. The audio is of higher-than-normal quality, making for a great listening experience that will not tire your ears or grate on your nerves.

NOTICE: This app includes the exact same 5-star recording offered elsewhere at much higher prices. It was professionally recorded by Blackstone Audio’s narrator, James Adams. You are not buying yet another amateur or volunteer narration. No clicks, background noises, throat clearing, mispronunciations, tinny voices or monotones will be found here.

“Funny and—unlike his subject—dry.” (Booklist)

•EXPERIENCE. About 12 hours of narration. Created as a Folium enhancedAudio™ edition, this book includes extra functions and features not found on lesser players.

•PLAYER CONTROLS. Includes listen (play), pause, multi-speed fast forward/reverse, jump ahead/back, chapter skip, volume control, one-touch chapter- and bookmark browser. There is also a “scrub” bar that finds any point inside the chapter with just a tap.

•SLEEP TIMER. Have you ever fallen asleep watching TV or listening to a book? If so, youll love this feature. Once set, the book will stop, place a bookmark, and allow you to jump back to where you probably began dozing.

•CLEAR & ELEGANT DESIGN. Simple, clean, intuitive, and smarter than average.

•CHAPTER TIMINGS. Always know how much time it will take to finish a chapter. Plus, the progress bar at the top of the screen shows how far into the book you’ve come.

•OFFLINE LISTENING. You are airplane-ready! Once downloaded, listen uninterrupted without threat from a lost network connection. Downloads are usually just 5-10 minutes, but depend upon your network speed.

•AUTO-BOOKMARKING. The player remembers where you stopped listening and returns to that exact spot when you open the book again.

•TELL-A-FRIEND. An easy way to recommend the book to your friends or Twitter feed.

•FEEDBACK. Share your ideas for books, functions, and features. We are very responsive to our listeners and appreciate all feedback and ideas.


RATING: 12+ Suitable for adults with an interest in the life of Hunter S. Thompson

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In early 1970, artist Ralph Steadman went to America in search of work and found more than he bargained for. At the Kentucky Derby, he met a former Hell’s Angel, one Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson wrote later that “The rest of that day blurs into madness. The rest of that night, too. Steadman was lucky to get out of Louisville without serious injuries, and I was lucky to get out at all.” Thus began a thirty-year friendship and a working relationship that gave birth to what became known as Gonzo Journalism.

Few people knew Thompson as well as Steadman did. This no-holds-barred memoir tells of their unique collaboration, which documented the turbulent years of the civil-rights movement, the Nixon years, and Watergate. When Thompson committed suicide in 2005, it was the end of a friendship that was defined by both betrayal and understanding.