Hunter S. Thompson, the author who popularized 'Gonzo Journalism' and wrote 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' has died. The 67-year-old Thompson apparently took his own life in his home in Aspen, Colorado with a gunshot to the head.

Gonzo journalism is a style in which the writer makes himself a part of the story. Instead of writing about the event, the reporter writes about how it feels to be at the event or the essence of the event. Thompson found this style of writing to be more truthful.

'Fiction is based on reality unless you're a fairy-tale artist,' Thompson once told The Associated Press. 'You have to get your knowledge of life from somewhere. You have to know the material you're writing about before you alter it.'

'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' was a prime example of gonzo journalism. In it, a writer, not so loosely based on Thompson, and his lawyer, based on Thompson's lawyer Oscar Zeta Acosta, go to Las Vegas and take a drug induced trip through sin city.

The book won critical acclaim despite its casual drug use. Author Tom Wolfe described the book as 'a scorching epochal sensation' while the New York Times Book Review called it 'the best book on the dope decade.'

Johnny Depp played the Thompson character in the 1998 film directed by Monty Python's Terry Gilliam.

Thompson was also the subject of a critically received documentary 'Breakfast With Hunter' (www.breakfastwithunter.com) by Wayne Ewing. The film 2003 followed Thompson attempts to stay out of jail on a drunk driving charge.

Prior to 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' Hunter published a book called 'Hell's Angels' which was based on his time hanging out with the famous motorcycle gang in the late 60s. Thompson other works include 'Generation of Swine' and 'Songs of the Doomed."