Customer Reviews

Jesse James: The Man and his Machines

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Few people who are fans of Jesse James or his TV shows "Monster Garage" and "Motorcycle Mania" are ever provided an inside look at the lifestyle and the man behind them, but this book more than delivers! I've always wondered what it would be like to attend one of Jesse's parties, go for a ride with his gang on the L.A. Freeways, or just get a glimpse into the West Coast Choppers workshop. The author and a talented team of photographers takes us deep inside the custom chopper world, leaving no stone unturned. Short of buying your own $80,000 Jesse James chopper, this is the way to go!!!

Maybe this was an "unauthorized" biography, but it's darned good. We get insight into how Jesse learned his craft, who he studied under and where he worked prior to starting his own shop. Jesse dreamt of having his own shop ever since he was a young boy, and this is a decent tale about how it came to be.

There are lots of pictures (the book is about 50% pictures, and 50% text). We gain insight into his parts business, the custom bikes, and Jesse's evolving aesthetic.

There is a section devoted to the recent Monster Garage work, and a section about Jesse's team, and what it's like to work with him.

I gather that "Jesse James Inc." is angry that this book was published without his permission, probably because he doesn't get a cut of the proceeds. Too bad for them. This is an interesting read. I'm sure the style mavens a WCC would want to project pure image, whereas this book is much more honest and human, and gives the reader some real insight into the man and his team.

Highly recommended.

This book was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be either a sordid tell-all type book or a slobbering fan's paen to his beloved Jesse. Instead I discovered a well-written, intelligent, honest, and entertaining biography. It is not perfect. The author errs on the side of caution, not discussing the darker elements of James' life, but such sordid details seem beneath the author. If the quote in the above review is an example of Mr. James' writing ability, this is the book to buy.

After watching Jesse James appear on the Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage" and "Motorcycle mania" documentaries, it was a real surprise to see what life is like inside the vaunted Long Beach, CA. shop where his famous, sought-after choppers are designed and constructed. This book has plenty of excellent photogrpahs of Jesse's earilest bikes and the text and pictures chronicle his ascent from just another hot rod Harley builder to the top of the chopper heap.

The writing is a bit pandering at times as an old friend of Jesse's compiled the text from personal experiences and anecdotal retelling of some truly funny events. The section describing the intense work atmosphere inside West Coast Choppers is illustrated with hard-to-find-elsewhere images of these big-money choppers under construction. Likewise, the section retelling how tough a go Jesse james had at selling and marketing his T-shirts and motorcycle parts just a decade ago lends fascinating insight into how fickle the public's tastes can be. There's precious little to be foud on this subject in the motorcycle magazines these days and this is the most J.J. I've seen in one place. A lot of fun and full of ideas for anyone contemplating building their own chopper.

This book is well written, filled with great photos, and is very fair. Frankly, I don't know what the fuss is about! Did Jesse not get offered a big enough cut? LOL
I respect Jesse a great deal, and have found in him a great role model and inspiration, since I want to become a bike builder myself. This book was cool because it cut through James' public bad-ass persona and showed the side of him that I admire: a perfectionist craftsman, a genius marketer, and a tireless worker. It is fascinating to read how this guy came from meager means to become a world hero of cult proportions. If I was Jesse, I'd be flattered by this book. But as I said before, it probably comes down to money, and who got what.

This book catches the essence of Mr. Jesse James, the host of TV's Monster Garage without being too obsequivious. Lots of insight into the creative process behind some of the most sought after custom chopper currently on the market. Who would've known that Jesse James, the television personality started his career as a barroom bouncer. Filled with hundereds of candid personal photos and hard to find rare pictures of Jesse's early custom motorcycle creations. A must have!

i bought the book. read the book. didnt believe half the book. then spoke directly to jesse james himself. only to find out that 99.9% of the book was unauthorized. so i then trashed the book.
mike seate did his research and implementing of information WRONG. He attended jesse's annual no love party just to take pictures to publish in this book.
i do not recommend reading this material.
look for information and books out in the future that mr. james himself had authorized and contributed to himself.
dont believe everything you read.

I ordered "Jesse James The Man and his Machines" and got confirmation of the payment almost 4 weeks ago but have yet to see anything! I also paid $17.79 plus shipping nd handling, and now I see I can get the book for only $6.50! What in the hell is wrong with this picture and Where is my book? When you finally get around to sending it, make sure you add the $15 I lost because of you!

c'mon outlaw, stop whining...

your marketing machine is impressive, but your fans realize there is more than the fun-but-shallow spin seen on tv.

"JUSS SO YOU KNOW THAT BOOK IS A BOOTLEG.....MY 18 YEAR FRIEND MIKE SEATE DID THIS BEHIND MY BACK!! CAME TO THE NO-LOVE PARTY LAST YEAR SPECIFICALY TO GET PIC'S FOR IT.....HE HAS A 2 "UNAUTHERIZED" BOOK DEAL......FRANK KAISLER IS A 15 YEAR FRIEND GAVE THEM MOST OF THE PIC'S!! NEVER TOLD ME!!.........PRETTY HARD FOR ME TO LOOK AT.... ..HOPE WHATEVER THEY MADE OFF OF IT WAS WORTH MY FRIENDSHIP??.....BECAUSE THATS WHAT IT COST!!" quote borrowed from the fansite at discovery-if you want jesse and choppers get inside monster garage and watch for motorcylcle mania 3 please dont support this garbage