Customer Reviews

The Mammoth Book of Bikers

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

 

 

A superb and tantalising book that looks at the life of what one reviewer has described as "the last free people in society". Art Veno's collection of first hand accounts of motorcycle gangs both reinforces some myths about them but, at the same time, explodes others. It is not all sex, drugs and rock and roll in bikie land, though, thankfully, there is plenty here about the sexual mores and rather exotic sexual practices of those who defy the conventions of "normal" society. But the book is much more than just a snapshot into the private lifes of the bikie sub-culture. it is also a rivetting account of the politics and social structure of motorcycle gangs. At the same time it shines a torch on our own society and the hypocrisy and cant that we sometimes preach. A rivetting read.

This book is really just a combination of stories from several other books. I have read many other books on this topic so I found the book to be old news, but still worthy of a read. If your only going to read one book on bikers this would be a good choice.

In this impressive tome, Arthur Veno collects 40 first-hand accounts from various biker insiders and observers. In addition to classic reports penned by Daniel Wolf and Sonny Barger, Veno digs deep into biker history and lore, uncovering many gems along the way.

Consider this, an excerpt from a 1947 San Francisco Chronicle article detailing efforts by Hollister police to force a "lull in the terrorism" at the town. "Armed with tear gas guns," it reads, "the officers herded the cyclists into a block on San Benito Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, parked a dance band on a truck and ordered the musicians to play. Hundreds of individuals who invaded the town yesterday for the motorcycle show, about 10 percent of them women, halted their riotous 'play' to dance."

In The Mammoth Book Of Bikers, this antagonistic--often-comical-- relationship between bikers and the police is laid bare. Veno deftly shows that this relationship-- fueled by a sensational press-- is symbiotic at its core. As one Hell's Angel put it bluntly to Hunter S. Thompson: "Of course I don't like to read all this... because it brings the heat down on us, but since we got famous we've had more... women come looking for us than we ever had before. Hell, these days we have more action than we can handle." Veno's book goes a long way at deconstructing myths about bikers-- while at the same time adding to the allure of the One Percenter lifestyle.

This is a good book to get a glimps at the Biker world but what it really does is highlight some other good books that are worth reading. After I finished this book I went out and boughtseveral of the books that were used to write this book and read the rest of te story.

Its a pretty in depth look at the biker gang and clubs.I am a motorcycle rider and I ride a chopper and it still shocks me that the mass people think that we are a bunch of drug addicts or drunks well its not true so read and LEARN.............

I have never met an outlaw biker or even seen one in my life. This book about this peticular subculture is very eye opening and a good read. I wish James Quin with his article on outlaw bikers' women would substatntiate what he writes but beyond that I have nothing but good things to saw in regards to reading this book. Quinn is not the only one who says bizar things about Bikers and like those others he does not put anything with his statements that can prove what he says which I really do not like with scholars who do this kind of work in many fields. Accuse without proof is really quite bad. As for the other articles, I found them really quite fascinating. We have police, we have bikers, we have biker women, we have people who know bikers writing articles here which makes this very interesting. It is quite a good mix here. In short, this book is a good read.

Great read. Enjoy the first hand accounts of "Milpera Massacre" and undercover stories. Can't wait for a follow up.

The editors of this book did a lousy job. I can't recall the numerous times I read the same story about the 1948 Hollister rally in different chapters of the book. Once was enough. Book was boring. A few high spots, but at 2/3's the way through I gave up on it.

If you want to read varied accounts from different sources, this is the book to purchase. Not only do you get law enforcements side of the story, but you can read what the bikers have to say. This book includes personal stories as told by the participants. It doesn't take sides when presenting a situation, it just tells the story. I read the entire book, and have gone back to re-read different passages. It reads quickly and smoothly. Very entertaining.

This book is so big I didn't think I would be able to finish it. Some of the excerts are dry and not to exciting. Alot of the book is based in Canada and Europe. It has some really good parts in it.