Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club

He is nothing short of one classy, dedicated to bikes and bikers, and honest to the bone. This book, he brings IT ALL OUT. I was amazed to read how the Angels got started and managed to stay together dispite the law breathing all over them, the public have a definite attitude against them. It was Sonny who kept the brotherhood together. Yes, we all know of the legal problems with the ANgels as well as other biker groups, in this book Sonny is totally honest and forthcoming. He has some very funny stories on state rallys and of course the problem at Altamont. This book is a must read for all bikers and those who WANT TO BE A BIKER. A classic read by Sonny. May God Bless You Sonny and keep doing just what you are doing. Don't change one thing. "The Attorney" Green Dragons MC - Houston


Leader of the Pack   June 15, 2000
Professor Donald Mitchell (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 96,000 Helpful Votes Globally)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

The motorcycle club subculture has been an important theme in Hollywood (from The Wild One to Easy Rider) and in recordings (the song, Leader of the Pack). Everyone who sees the Hell's Angels has an opinion about what is going on, yet few have had a first hand relationship with a member. This book gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like for Oakland's leader of the pack, one of the first branches of the Hell's Angels.

I grew up in San Bernardino (Berdoo in the book) which was an even earlier branch of the Hell's Angels than was Oakland. Some people I went to high school with joined the Hell's Angels. We all heard many stories about the group, and what went on. We treated these people with extreme caution and gave them a wide berth.

The book brings out an ethos of freedom (the open road) combined with a masculine emphasis on being respected and being loyal to friends. At the same time, there is an underlying sense of the frontier marshall, wanting to clean up those who were challenging law and order. Behind that there is a disregard for the rules most of us follow, whether in speed, drugs, theft, or violence.

This book is filled with deaths, injuries, and destruction. The Hell's Angels live in a dangerous world, and that doesn't bother them. What would bother them is not following their code of ethics.

Having read about all of the things the Hell's Angels are supposed to have done in the last 50 or so years, it is interesting to hear it from the other side.

Although you probably won't want to emulate Sonny Barger in too many ways, you'll certainly never forget him. If you love motorcycles (as many of us do), you'll be moved by his loving descriptions of various bikes. He was truly the wild one at the head of the bike pack.


No halo on this Angel.   May 22, 2000
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Straight forward, plain talking, Barger is not out to justify anything he has done in this very interesting book. It comes through very clear - Barger has lived his life, his way. You can accept it, reject it or condemn it, but you will find it to be fascinating reading. This book will be enjoyed by the hardcore biker, the biker wannabe and anyone who would like to live their life their way.


The truth about the Angels - Finally!   May 19, 2000
Dr. Ken Cole
15 out of 18 found this review helpful

As a psychologist and the father of a Hell's Angel, I was extremely gratified to read a real story about the Angels, written by the man who knows the most about them. Action, excitement, no bull****, and humor. Sonny tells it like it is. I recommend this book for anyone interested in motorcycles, brotherhood, and the truth about one of America's most important subcultures.


must read for die hards   July 4, 2000
Wayne T. Heiliger (Omaha, Ne. USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Sonny is one of the most prolific and a true outlaw. I've admired him and his followers since I first became aware of the spirit of Harley Davidson. After Korea, my dad and his partner both bought HD's and traveled the US of A! Although my father wasn't an outlaw,he raised a few. I can say only one thing, Buy the book! To Sonny, Hail the Red & White! To Ole Buzzard {omaha, NE} tow on bro! bigwayne53