Customer Reviews

Ridin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was excited when this came out, as I was going through a bit of hero worship regarding bikers. Of course, now years later and a motorcyclist myself, my awe of this life-style has paled.

Barger has to be given credit for where it is due. He's managed to make money of the Hell's Angels for fifty years now. That's pretty impressive. And to be willing to openly discuss portions of his life in that society takes guts. However, this book falls short in many areas.

One, the few stories that relate to the Hell's Angels are over-the-top. It's just too hard to believe these exploits.

Two, the non-Hell's Angels stories aren't any better. The picture painted of bikers throughout this book is that they are greasy, dirty, smelly and disgusting. Even the women profiled here are portrayed as little more than tramps.

Three, we're subjected to Barger's attempt at fiction. Atleast it's only boring, unlike his actual fiction book (DEAD IN FIVE HEARTBEATS), which is a fictionalization of his autobiography with some preposterous action sequences thrown in.

So, if you're really into juvenille biker stories, this is up your alley. If not, but you want to explore this genre, there are plenty of better books available.

This collection of stories from the most famous 1%'er is a must read!!! Everyone who rides for the sense of freedom and escape it provides, will enjoy each and every chapter in this book. Simple stories speak columes of what riding free is all about. For those who are dreaming of riding, make sure this is your first stop in researching the idea. From the hilarious to the humbling, this book is meaningful and well written. Thanks Sonny for another great contribution!

Throughout the book, Sonny talks about one of the Oakland Chapters members, who he referrs to as Cincinatti. Now, whether this person is himself or not, I think that this person has imbibed in way too many foreign substances. There's multiple stories of running around and talking to ghosts, taking ghosts for rides on their motorcycles, then hooking the ghost up with ol' ladies in the ghost world, etc. There were other typical Sonny Barger hidden slams about other clubs selling their old ladies in houses of ill repute, when in reality, it's much more believable were it to have been a confession. Either way, I really like the quote from Freewheelin Frank in his own book (a 60's paperback, now out of print) where he Quotes Sonny as saying: "When I make money from the patches on my back, I will no longer be a Hell's Angel". Bravo. And to think, ghosts riding on your motorcycle, eh?

Was expecting to read something interesting about the self-proclaimed "legend," but it was a collection of stories whose truth was always questioned, EVEN BY THE BOOK ITSELF. The foreword warned that not all the stories were true. Then, after a more-interesting story, the next story sharted with "Now this story is true, I swear it..." Lame.

There are much more interesting motorcycle stories (and better writing) on the 'Net. This book was filled with swear words thrown in the oddest places, there was no flow between the stories, the characters were confusing, maybe they needed the money and hurried the book to market, I dunno.

The Zimmermans' first book on Sonny was much better, in spite of Sonny coming across as narcissistic as he did.

I agree 100% with the review questioning whether Sonny ran out of material; sure looks that way. The major problem with the book is that, except for a few very good passages (which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of one) it is just not interesting (then again, I almost dropped it back to 1 after reading one completely disgusting story about a biker's first success with the girl of his dreams; did they really have to include this?).In his ongoing attempt to clean up the biker 1%er image, portraying them as basically good guys who raise a little hell once in a while rather than real outlaws, Barger is forced to abandon what I'm sure would be infinitely more interesting stories. Overall really not worth the time or money.

Zimmerman's easy read of Barger's memories is a bit of history. One begins quite quickly to realize this history lacks credibility. Barger has reinvented the story of the gang-beating of Hunter Thompson. Skip Workman himself admitted in a 1967 television interview that women once in a while needed to be beaten like a rug. A woman's beating is the reason Thompson expressed his disapproval and was subsequently beaten (Workman's comments were specific to the Thompson beating). Barger softens the story in the book, as part of his overall attempt to change the reputation of the club and make them appear to be heroes. Barger further hopes to canonize himself through this self-fashioning. Once this credibility is broken, one cannot help but question the account of Barger's wife's accidental death while attempting to self abort. Barger freely admits he did not want children. As long as you are ready to indulge the over 60 Barger's attempt to use this quick read to convince you he is an American hero (he supported the Vietnam war), take a peek, it won't take much of your time.

What a blast! Some of the stories are a little long in the tooth, but, like the preface says, who cares??? As long as they're entertaining, which most of them are. A few are outright boring, but the gems more than make up for them. Nice short stories, so you can leave it and pick it up as you wish. Well recommended!

Although this book was entertaining, it is hardly the best book out there for tales of 'cyclers. I did enjoy the tale of the poor girl who got [...] on a Panhead that was trash. And the story about the guy who picked up a ghost was entertaining, even if it was hardly believable. Many of the stories were just too short and seemed to have no point. I point here in example the story about the kid who saw a bunch of 'cyclers going to a funeral. Big whoop. Keeping to stories of adventure would have been better, but many of these stories do't even fit the subtitle "Hell-Raising". Blaah.

Let's face it.... Most of us ride a motorcycle for a variety of reasons. One of them being to live out the fantasy of the outlaw biker. Sonny is the real deal and so are these stories. After you read each of them, you can close your eyes and just for a moment be transported in time to another place. This book is about all of us who seek the freedom of the road. It will give you a sense of just how special our little fraternity of "The Biker Life" is. You will come to know and identify with all of these characters and their lives.

I bought this at a book signing out here in Westwood Village, CA. What a thrill to meet Sonny and have him sign my book. The big surprise to me was that he actually talked with me for some time. We talked about his books, his life and his regrets.

When you hear him talk, it creates a mixture of fear and fascination with in your own mind. Although most of us will probably never become an official HA, this book brings the experience right into your own living room.

"Ridin' High and Livin' Free" It's a beautiful thing.

In comparison to Barger's novel, Dead In 5 heartbeats, this non-fiction collection of biker tales is far more interesting & real. I loved meeting all of the crazy characters in this book & hearing about all of their antics. It reminded me of sitting at my father's feet & listening to all of his (slightly enhanced) stories from his Army days & then his days as a prosecutor & eventually defense attorney. Lotsa good stories & cool black & white photos.