Customer Reviews

Wild Ride: How Outlaw Motorcycle Myth Conquered America

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

 

 

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

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.

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)

Unfortunately, the author of "Wild Ride" did not take the time to learn anything about motorcycles and exhibits little more knowledge about motorcyclists. From the first page, he tosses out arcane technical observations without knowing the meaning of the terms. Reference after reference is made to both bikes and riders with no regard to substantiation for, had the author cared to verify his material, he would quickly discovered the information he cites is erroneous. I will admit that I did not read the entire book. After the dismay of crawling through the first couple of chapters, I checked random parts of the rest of the material only to discover more of the same. My bookshelf is heavy with books about motorcycling. I have four decades of riding experience, many of those years astride Harley-Davidsons. I know that my reaction to the author's misinformation is not picking at nits, it's an observation of careless journalism. Two thumbs down...

Read this book recommended by a biker and being a woman did not want to however very good, for me, historical journey. Who cares about a biker club's beginning or past? Now I do thanks to Reynolds. Knowing about this American sub-culture's beginnings helps very much to understand from a psychological point of view. Technical info about the mechanical horse is frivolous and unnecessary compared to the characters en pointe and the facts that tell the story are verity. I'd like to see Trash's story unfold on film one day ...

Very little new information. You won't find much in this book that hasn't been written elsewhere numerous times. Author also has some sort of vendetta for off road motorcycling. He really needs to research his sources better to avoid such pitfalls. Should have checked this out of the library, but they didn't have it.

Best is the 14 or so pages on how "Dr." Hunter S Thompson got offer to write first 'book' on Hell's Angel's,truly from their perspective,(not police blotter reports).Outrageous mixer at Ken Kesey's ranch with Neal Cassady,(Dean Moriarty of "On the Road")..Gordon Alpert,LSD proponent,(now Dam Rass)..&music by for runner of Grateful Dead band. Will be adopted as collateral read for "deviant sub-cultures" & "americana folklore",an Easy-& enjoyable ride/