Wild Ride: How Outlaw Motorcycle Myth Conquered America [Hardcover]

Tom Reynolds (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Reynolds presents a history of post-World War II American motorcycling culture, focusing on the image of the outlaw biker, which, he feels, is largely a product of media and public stereotyping. The author combines personal vignettes of bikers along with watershed events in biker history and culture. These events are examined as they were portrayed in the media and perceived by the public and are then countered by Reynolds. Thus, while The Wild One created a public image of "bad boy" bikers that was widely believed, it was unlike bikers or bike clubs of that time. His arguments are convincing even though his vignettes reveal less-than-saintly characters who can easily be viewed stereotypically. Based on the HBO documentary Outlaws: Motorcycle Myth in America, the book reads too often as if its structure and text have been borrowed from the film. One result is many overly long and overly detailed descriptive passages, which may work well visually but lend little to an understanding of the author's viewpoint. While this does have interesting ideas, the work is not a necessary purchase. David Van de Streek, Pennsylvania State Univ. Lib., York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: TV Books (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575001454
• ISBN-13: 978-1575001456
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,587,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In the top 1% of the books about the "one Percenters", April 4, 2002

By 

Raol Finn (San Bernadino, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Ride: How Outlaw Motorcycle Myth Conquered America (Hardcover)

Hunter Thompson's much beloved bible 'bout the Angels, and them like 'em, and those that wannabe, is a ... hard act to follow. But I truly liked this book. Unlike a lot of the other books out there on the subject, which are just "retreads" (sorry 'bout that) of what we've all read and seen before, this effort actually brings us up-to-date. And it does it in a matter-of-fact, objective, but very readable way. In too many books about the "Outlaw Biker/Culture," the author gets in the way - trying to impress us with his, or her keen observations. Mr. Reynolds just lets the subject/subjects speak for themselves, and that to me made it all the more interesting. I've been riding since I was 14, and readin' even longer - and I highly reccomend this book

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of biker history, September 2, 2011

By 

L. V. Sage "Author of Red, White & Blues" (Costa Mesa, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Ride: How Outlaw Motorcycle Myth Conquered America (Hardcover)

True, there is nothing new here, but if you're unfamiliar with the biker culture, then this is a good book to read. It is comprehensive for sure, covering the history of outlaw culture from the Hollister Rally & the Brando movie, The Wild One, to Altamont, Easy Rider, ABATE & biker rights. Informative & well-written.

4.0 out of 5 stars Wild Ride, October 5, 2010

By 

Sam Adams (Minnesota. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Ride: How Outlaw Motorcycle Myth Conquered America (Hardcover)

Published in 2000, this book reports on various people, clubs, movies, and events that highlight the association of Harley-Davidson motorcycles with the outlaw biker. A partial list: the Boozefighters (club), the POBOBs (club), Hollister 1947 (event), the Hells Angels (club), The Wild One (movie), Wild Angels (movie), Hunter Thompson (writer), Easy Rider (movie), Altamont 1969 (event). The book is more a collection of nearly independent chapters than a structured history or discussion of what the subtitle calls "outlaw motorcycle myth".

The author interviewed "several of the surviving Boozefighter members" (295) and his chapters on that club and their participation at the Hollister Rally of 1947 benefit from it. The book has eleven pictures of members of the club, including five taken at Hollister during the rally and one at a fortieth anniversary party.

"The research for this book was compiled from interviews with over forty individuals, plus secondary sources, including biographies, newspaper and magazine articles, government documents, archival footage, and materials available on the World Wide Web." (295)