autobiographical novel written by Oscar Zeta Acosta (qv).  Zeta Acosta was the famous "Chicano lawyer" and friend of  Hunter S. Thompson (qv) whose notorious party binges served as the  model for Dr. Gonzo. Thompson changed Zeta Acostas ethnic identity  to "Samoan" to deflect suspicion from Zeta Acosta, who was in some  trouble with militant Chicanos in L.A. at the time the book was  written.