Customer Reviews

The Assimilation: Rock Machine Become Bandidos - Bikers United Against the Hells Angels

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

In the book The Assimilation, the authors provide a definitive glimpse into the outlaw biker phenomenon, the 1%er culture. At one time or another we've all seen them, displaying the regalia indicating the intense loyalty to their motorcycle clubs, the various 3 patch colors screaming their presence to the wary public. Every marking, every patch, every pinned item has its own special meaning. And if you don't know, don't ask.

The Assimilation will tell how these outlaws from society take their clubs and their patches dead serious, and that means dead in the literal sense. The combined deaths of 160 bikers in the Canadian biker wars between the infamous Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and their sworn enemies the Rock Machine MC form the basis for this riveting true story.

Like the Hells Angels, the notorious Bandidos MC are a powerful worldwide organization with chapters in many countries. With clandestine outlaw biker politics working at a fever pitch at that time, the Bandidos planned to assimilate the Rock Machine into the fold, as indicated by the title of this work.

Enter Mr. Winterhalder. As a member of the Bandidos MC, he traveled to Canada to represent the Bandido's interest. Interspersed with a first hand rendition of these events is an interesting view of Mr. Winterhalder's life and a matter of fact telling of how he came to be in the position of representing one of the most powerful outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world.

To anyone interested in the subject of outlaw motorcycle clubs, I highly recommend this work as an "inside look" written by a man who spent 25 years living the life of a 1%er, and at one time held the rank of national secretary to one of the most celebrated outlaw motorcycle clubs, the Bandidos MC.

I enjoyed the book, have been around 1% for many years, would say Ed candy coated the Bandidos. Times I thought I was reading about Christian Riders, should have told it like it was.

If you've read The Road to Hell: How the Biker Gangs are Conquering Canada you will know the story Ed tells. This is a book that comes from one of the losers in the battle for Canada's riches. According to Ed, the Bandidos tried to be a part of the quest for a Charter in Canada, but lost their bid to the Hell's Angels. The truth of the matter is; The Rock Machine split between the two clubs.
Ed, or somebody , did a good job of writing this book. I found it easy to read

This is an extremely boring book written by a disgruntled biker. Lot of information and documentation, for sure, but very boring stuff. The author spends a lot of his time (and the reader's) justifying his deeds and whining about club officers. Avoid purchasing this book unless you already have read everything else on this topic and are ready to cope with whining and minutiae.

One of the best books I've read on biker material. Author gives you an in depth look of the goings on in the little known world of bikers. I enjoyed his first book as well. This one does not disappoint!!! Looking forward to more books by this particular author!!

Good insight to the little unknown biker world. I always find it so interesting as to how the clubs resemble Corporate America in their structure etc. I find the author very knowledgeble about his subject matter due to his close personal experience.

This book gives great insight to the biker world and was very interesting to read!! I greatly enjoyed reading this book and I cannot wait for the next one to come out!!!

The book was ok. Definately well-written, but the author seems to toot his own horn about how great he thinks he is too much.
This would probably have been more interesting if I lived in Canada, but since I don't (never have and most likely never will) I think I had trouble identifying with the Canadian biker scene. Don't get me wrong, there were interesting tidbits and references to things I remember hearing in the news, but the repeated references to newspaper articles and such got a bit tedious.
On another note, the author complains that he was delt a low blow by his status being changed from 'out in good standings' to 'out in bad standings' after he was out, but then at the end of the book posts a list of club locations and number of people in each charter, which is a big MC no-no. So what was that?...the author taking a last jab at his former club because he's pissed at them for shunning him, or an example of behavior that pissed off his fromer club and got him labeled "out in bad standings"? I don't know and can't venture a guess, but it makes me wonder.

Paints outlaw bikers especially bandidos in a totally unrealistick bright light, after awhile this book becomes untrusthworty for anyone who just know abit of the scene, so much that i have no intention finishing it.

Compared to other books that paints the outlaw biker members in a bright light, they at least do accept the fact that there is another attitude towards violence, but here it seems like violence and criminal activity is almost nonexistant in the bandidos.

I regret this buy alot :(

A book by a Biker with the integrity to not speak of justice then villainize and try to make a mockery of any system of justice.
A book by an Outlaw Motorcyclist that does not say he embraces freedom, then proudly lists his felony convictions and time spent imprisoned.
A book by a 1%er with the intellect to not glorify drug addiction.
A book by a Human Being that understands the meaning of "Brotherhood" and not just what serves himself today.
A book by a Man with the knowledge to understand the concept "Only Free Birds Fly".
They say..."Out in Bad Standings". I say good for Ed Winterhalder...
"It Is As It Should Be".