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Travis Hugh Culley

The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power Paperback – August 13, 2002

by Travis Hugh Culley (Author)

57 ratings

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Travis Hugh Culley went to Chicago to make his name in its thriving theater scene, yet found in his day job a sense of community and fulfillment—and a brotherhood of like-minded individualists—that he encountered nowhere else.

In The Immortal Class, Culley takes us inside the heart and soul of an American urban icon: the bicycle messenger. In describing his own history and those of his peers, he evokes a classic American maverick, deeply woven into the fabric of society—from the pits of squalor to the highest reaches of power and privilege—yet always resolutely, exuberantly outside.

Culley’s voice is at once earthy and soaringly poetic—a Gen-X Tom Joad at hyperspeed. The Immortal Class is a unique personal and political narrative of a cyclist’s life on the street.

Print length

324 pages
Language:

English
Publisher

Random House Trade Paperbacks
Publication date

August 13, 2002
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.81 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0375760245
ISBN-13

978-0375760242
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A book that could be called Zen and the Art of Bicycle Messengering . . . Just try to ignore [Culley’s] story. . . . He lived to tell the tale, and it’s a great one.” —The Arizona Republic

“The Immortal Class deftly blends high theory with adrenaline-spiked tales from the front . . . that offer a fascinating look at a landscape few office workers ever glimpse.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Culley has written a paean to his profession.”—Chicago

“An ever-kinetic prose straddling narrative and polemic, with an ear all the while for the small pebbles slipping beneath its feet.”—The Seattle Times

“Fresh . . . On the frenzied rawness of courier life, Mr. Culley excels . . . Lively prose.”—The Economist

Product details

Publisher : Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (August 13, 2002)
Language: : English
Paperback : 324 pages
ISBN-10 : 0375760245
ISBN-13 : 978-0375760242
Item Weight : 1.01 pounds
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.81 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #532 in Midwest U.S. Biographies
- #1,344 in Cycling (Books)
- #1,518 in Sociology of Class

Customer Reviews:
57 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		66%
4 star		16%
3 star		4%
2 star		4%
1 star		9%

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Kindle Customer

Much deeper than merely a book about Messengers

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2020

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I had some big interest in biking when I was younger and I thought a lot of Messengers. That's what this book was to me when I read it when it came out, having just re read it it's so much more than that, homeboy shares a whole heck of a lot of my political and philosophical bent and I didn't even realize it twenty years ago.

In any case this book is much better than I remembered and compelling on at least two levels. Curse word yeah!

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Craig

wild ride

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2001

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I've been intrigued by bicycle messenger culture. Seeing these otherworldly creatures in elevators offered a fun contrast to the crowds of corporate worker bees. The messenger's bikes look like minimalist scupture (often fixed-gear with no brakes) that has been through a war (paint trashed, tires bald).
The Immortal Class is a fun read. His prose starts off a little ackwardly in the first chapter but he finds his cadence quickly. A difficult book to put down.
I recommend this book and also commuting by bike (a great stress buster).

One person found this helpful

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turtlex

Bravo ! An EXCELLENT Novel. Very Well Written.

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2001

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I received this book and could not put it down once I started. Mr. Culley's excellent writing skills pull you through the story, documenting his life as a bike messenger. Along the way, he smashes any pre-conceived notions you may have regarding messengers as punk-no-brains with nothing better to do with their lives. This book brings alive the wonderful sub-culture of cycling. From his first "Critical Mass" ride to the wonderful characters he encounters, the writing is lyrical and precise - you definitely can understand what it's like to be in his place. Ever been "doored" - with this book, you'll know what it's like. I cannot recommend this book enough. It's a great read. The writing is excellent and the subject matter very topical. You may end up questioning your own employment choices. I know I am. All in all - I loved it. Highly recommended. Best Regards, turtlex

4 people found this helpful

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Julie H

great read

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2014

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Since I bike in Chicago this really struck a cord in me. Travis writes really nicely and keep my attention throughout the book. It was fun to know some of the names in the book too! A great read for anyone who rides a bike and wants to know about the rich history in Chicago. And what it's like to be a messenger in our crazy Chicago weather!

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oldSailor

Great product! Great service

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2016

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Great product ! Great service !

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Derek Burrell

Good stuff

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2013

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This is a fun read. I liked how he narrates the city as he rides. Also, the history of how CHI was planned and altered was a fantastic side subject.

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Espy

Trying way to hard to sound impressive.

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2011

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The chapter about watching people in a track stand competition made me laugh out loud. The whole book felt like he was trying really hard and the random childhood flashbacks made no sense to me. It had one or two neat chapters but it didn't save the book. And if some statements i have heard about this book are true then i dislike it more. If you want to read it see if you can borrow it from someone or something. Save your cash for beer or something.

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Scott McCall

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2014

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This is a great read for anybody interested in cycling. Very poetic and extremely well written.

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Surfer Nomad

Great read driven by an adolescent passion

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2013

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As an avid bike nut I had one day to read this, it is highly entertaining, the smatterings of philosophy are impassioned and sometimes mildly immature, but are made acceptable by the obvious sincerity with which they are delivered. I can fully see why this has be come a cult book, great literature it is not , great entertainment it is.

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