Customer Reviews

Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club

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I remember a thrilling experience during my childhood in the mid-sixties: while driving to San Francisco, our family car broke down on the Bayshore (101) Freeway. My parents were startled when two long-haired, bearded, beSwaztica'ed patch-holders pulled up on their loud, chopped Harleys. The bikers spoke briefly with my dad, then performed some minor mechanical magic on our carburetor. They accepted no payment for their assistance, but left us a business card featuring their winged deaths-head logo and words to the effect: "You have been assisted by... the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. When we do right, no one remembers. When we do wrong, no one forgets." At least one person has always remembered. Within a mere few years, I had a stripped-down Hawg of my own, and began acquiring tattoos and speeding tickets. While I was never a one-percenter, it seemed during that tumultuous era that *all* motorcyclists were judged "guilty by association" with the legendary Hells Angels. Whether describing doing right or wrong, HAMC president Sonny Barger minces no words in his hard-riding, fast-reading biography. Nor does he pull any punches. He explodes the myths perpetuated by grade-B biker-flicks and trashy "wannabe" publications, but unapologetically depicts the counterculture without romanticizing it. The Angels we meet in these pages are neither ravenous, rapacious Huns nor iron-steed-mounted rescuers of stranded citizens. Barger's raw writing style, anecdotes, and numerous photos give his book genuine, gritty, outlaw character. It should appeal to one-percenters, citizen-bikers, and even to the "cagers" who fear and loathe them. There is something exhilerating, even archetypal, about the sight and sound of a chapter of Hells Angels, in full color, thundering down the highway. Could it be something remniscent of the soaring, awe-inspiring formations of Bombers and Fighters which spawned the post-War motorclubs? More likely, like a pack of wolves running wild, they symbolize an unfettered and formidable free-spirit, feared by a civilized Society.

I read it in a single day, a rarity for me. Couldn't put it down. Barger's honest and open telling of his own worldview and the detailed sketch of the culture of HAMC, along with the complete lack of apology, make it really compelling.

But he is a criminal, and the con in this book is the statement near the beginnning, to the effect of: "All I ever wanted to do was ride and be free." He proceeds to prove, through the rest of the book, that that is merely a justification for his lifestyle and (possibly) plea for fame and respect in the valuable cultural currency of 'freedom from oppresive powers' (he already has plenty of fame and respect on his own terms), but its not true. Barger likes to pick fights, bother innocent workaday people and locals, and be the center of attention wherever he goes. His quest for freedom required the abrogation of everyone else's freedom, not just the police and rival clubs as he seems to want you to believe.

"Hell's Angel" is most interesting, for me, in the depiction of his dynamic leadership and the need, so often suppressed, for men to band together and be unified in something. I envy him the brotherhood he founded and don't begrudge them the right to defend it's name, by violence if necessary, against fools who want to challenge it or steal it. But I don't believe for a moment that he wants to live and let live. He and his club steal, con, and completely disregard the wishes of the citizen's of any community they enter; in reality, it's power that they want, not freedom. Just admit that, and this account would be balanced. Its already very entertaining and valuable cultural history.

Back in the late 60's, I was a member of the Green Dragon'sMotorcycle Club in Houston. We were a linked brotherhood with theBanditos MC. During a rally in Dallas, some 50 or 60 Hell's Angels attended. To my pride I was able to meet Sonny Barger, he was at that time with the Oakland Chapter of the Hell's Angel.

He is nothing short of one classy, dedicated to bikes and bikers, and honest to the bone. This book, he brings IT ALL OUT. I was amazed to read how the Angels got started and managed to stay together dispite the law breathing all over them, the public have a definite attitude against them. It was Sonny who kept the brotherhood together. Yes, we all know of the legal problems with the ANgels as well as other biker groups, in this book Sonny is totally honest and forthcoming. He has some very funny stories on state rallys and of course the problem at Altamont. This book is a must read for all bikers and those who WANT TO BE A BIKER. A classic read by Sonny. May God Bless You Sonny and keep doing just what you are doing. Don't change one thing. "The Attorney" Green Dragons MC - Houston

Straight forward, plain talking, Barger is not out to justify anything he has done in this very interesting book. It comes through very clear - Barger has lived his life, his way. You can accept it, reject it or condemn it, but you will find it to be fascinating reading. This book will be enjoyed by the hardcore biker, the biker wannabe and anyone who would like to live their life their way.

I was born in Oakland California in 1940. I saw the Angels around 1958, when I was working as a custom auto painter/pinstriper. The club was a small group of "very real" guys who had the first "Choppers". I painted and pinstriped several of the clubs "Bikes" and got to know some of the members, along with Ralph (Sonny). This was one group that wasn't going to change to the so called "modern world", yet Ralph was very hip to the latest ways. He also studied the ways of several world leaders, and learned from their mistakes. (my own observation).

The book was very well written for the subject matter, and shows a lot of the personal life of a very dedicated person. The so-called "Blood & Guts" of the book was mild compared to some of the things that man has created. The Angels believed in one thing, "Don't screw with us and we won't bother you."

Once you have read the "Good Parts," you will find that there is a real "inner depth' to the club and it's Chief. I have written my autobiography "It Ain't Gonna Work" which clearly shows that many of us have traveled down the same path.

The motorcycle club subculture has been an important theme in Hollywood (from The Wild One to Easy Rider) and in recordings (the song, Leader of the Pack). Everyone who sees the Hell's Angels has an opinion about what is going on, yet few have had a first hand relationship with a member. This book gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like for Oakland's leader of the pack, one of the first branches of the Hell's Angels.

I grew up in San Bernardino (Berdoo in the book) which was an even earlier branch of the Hell's Angels than was Oakland. Some people I went to high school with joined the Hell's Angels. We all heard many stories about the group, and what went on. We treated these people with extreme caution and gave them a wide berth.

The book brings out an ethos of freedom (the open road) combined with a masculine emphasis on being respected and being loyal to friends. At the same time, there is an underlying sense of the frontier marshall, wanting to clean up those who were challenging law and order. Behind that there is a disregard for the rules most of us follow, whether in speed, drugs, theft, or violence.

This book is filled with deaths, injuries, and destruction. The Hell's Angels live in a dangerous world, and that doesn't bother them. What would bother them is not following their code of ethics.

Having read about all of the things the Hell's Angels are supposed to have done in the last 50 or so years, it is interesting to hear it from the other side.

Although you probably won't want to emulate Sonny Barger in too many ways, you'll certainly never forget him. If you love motorcycles (as many of us do), you'll be moved by his loving descriptions of various bikes. He was truly the wild one at the head of the bike pack.

As a psychologist and the father of a Hell's Angel, I was extremely gratified to read a real story about the Angels, written by the man who knows the most about them. Action, excitement, no bull****, and humor. Sonny tells it like it is. I recommend this book for anyone interested in motorcycles, brotherhood, and the truth about one of America's most important subcultures.

Sonny is one of the most prolific and a true outlaw. I've admired him and his followers since I first became aware of the spirit of Harley Davidson. After Korea, my dad and his partner both bought HD's and traveled the US of A! Although my father wasn't an outlaw,he raised a few. I can say only one thing, Buy the book! To Sonny, Hail the Red & White! To Ole Buzzard {omaha, NE} tow on bro! bigwayne53

Eager to hear the story of the HAMC from someone inside, I read this book in one sitting and was - for the most part - not disappointed. The book contains the obligatory responses to what's been written in the past and it's writing style is occasionally clumsy. All that aside, it is still the story of a living American legend and cultural icon in his own words. In the end, what comes through to the reader is that Sonny is neither a god nor a monster, simply an extraordinary man.

I stumbled across this book while at the library looking for something else in the same section. I was hesitant to pick it up, but after I read the inside jacket cover, I knew that I had to check this one out.
I couldn't put it down! The myth is that "bikers" are evil, but after reading this, I don't think that is true. They just wanted to do their thing, but a lot of people constantly wanted to test them. I'm not saying they are angels (no pun intended) but I don't believe they are out to hurt anyone. Sonny Barger sounds like an intelligent individual who lived a rough and adventurous life. If I needed someone to back me up, I would definitely choose the HAMC instead of a lot of other so called "regular" people any day. Read this book, you will be pleasantly surprised!