The Rebels: A Brotherhood of Outlaw Bikers [Paperback]

Daniel R. Wolf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2000

The image of the outlaw biker is widely recognize in North American society. The reality is only known to insiders. To study the phenomenon of outlaw biker clubs, anthropologist Daniel Wolf bridged the gap between image and reality by becoming an insider.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The greatest strength of Wolf's work is the insight it gives into the mind-set of bikers. He makes one understand the importance that gang members attach to activities such as initiations, runs, and club meetings. He vividly portrays the pain and hardship that bikers endure to hold membership in a select and cohesive outlaw club...The book is outstanding because of the author's authenticity in two areas: He is a bona fide anthropologist and also a real biker. He knows both subcultures from the inside.' (Columbus B. Hopper Journal of Contemporary Ethnography )

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division (November 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802073638
• ISBN-13: 978-0802073631
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Read Sonny's book, its more realistic, July 3, 2000

By 

Rob (BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rebels: A Brotherhood of Outlaw Bikers (Paperback)

Well, the book was written by an "friend" of the club (at the time), so he was not privy to most of the club business. However, the author spent his time with the Rebels in the late 70's, and very early 80's, so his analysis is very dated.

I prospected with the club in the late 80's, and it was a VERY different club by the time the book was published. And as of the late 90's, the Rebels Motor Cycle club no longer exist. Many of the former members now belonging to the Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon Chapters of the Hells Angels MC.

The book is slow to read, and overly analytical. It was originally the author's thesis, so, unless you're a sociology or anthropology student, you'll get bored. Read Sonny's book, its more real.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Non-fiction in-depth look into the world of outlaw bikers., February 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rebels: A Brotherhood of Outlaw Bikers (Paperback)

Canadaian anthropology student and motorcyclist Daniel R. Wolf fascinated with the biker lifestyle chose the Rebels MC of Edmonton as his subject in his incredibly thorough study of the outlaw motorcycle club subculture. After attempting to prospect ('strike', in Canada) undercover with the Rebels MC to write this book, he re-thought his plan and came clean with his intentions to the club members after feeling the love and respect of his brothers one can only acquire in a tight-knit motorcycle club. Much to his surprise, they allowed themselves to become the subject of his antropological study, and revealed never before known facts about this incredibly secretive society known as 'one-percenters'. With most the emphasis on the positive aspect of belonging to a motorcycle club, you feel tremendous admiration for the members, and wish ALL bikers could give the respect and honor to each other as the outlaw clubs do amongst their members. Unfortunately, this is the real world in which that could never be. This is the very reason clubs are formed, and membership requirements are so stringent. An extremely well written documentary of the inner workings of a typical motorcycle club, this is a must read for anyone who has ever fantasized about or had the notion of joining one. Fabulous quotes and references which are useful to bikers and citizens alike. Well documented observations of actual events, all categorized and properly footnoted with extensive biliography.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most intelligent analysis of outlaw biker dynamics., April 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (South San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rebels: A Brotherhood of Outlaw Bikers (Paperback)

Daniel Wolf's look at the dynamics of an outlaw biker group is bar none the most comprehensive and well-written analysis I have found to date. He is refreshingly objective even though he shares many of the same characteristics and drives of his brother bikers. I am a Harley rider and a biker at heart, though not a one-percenter in reality; Mr. Wolf's book has provided me with as close and detailed an experience of riding with the one-percenter crowd as I'll probably ever get.

Note, some of the concepts and conclusions presented by Mr. Wolf may seem too abstract or unimportant to a reader not intersted in the study of human behavior. One can tell that he wrote the main chapters of this book as his dissertation and that his intended audience were fellow scholars.

Overall, this is a fantastic book, even if one skips some of the more technical portions.

Five stars and a strong recommendation!!