Rating:  Summary: not good Review: This book contains the most insipid Hell-raising stories I have ever read. By Mr. Barger's standards, my accountant with a new Harley is likely a Hell-raiser. Livin' Free apparently refers to the rare occasions that these petty criminals are not in jail for domestic abuse or writing bad checks or some other Hell-raising crime. Mr. Barger says that the stories are partially or wholly invented. This begs the question - How can fictional stories be so boring? You might think a guy like this would write like a seventh grade kid with a lukewarm IQ. You would be right. In defense of the book's title, it is quite possible that many of the characters are ridin' high. Perhaps if I was high, I would have enjoyed the book more.
Rating:  Summary: mini documentaries on different kinds of riders Review: This book contains twenty-five stories and portraits of different kinds of motorcycle riders, inside and outside the 1%er world. I found it fascinating and a quick read.
Rating:  Summary: Couldn't Put it Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review: 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!
Rating:  Summary: Great Book!!! Review: This is one of the best books I have read on the biker lifestyle. One story got my interest up for the next and made putting the book down near impossible. It would make a great "First" of a series on biker stories. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who travels on two wheeles and lives by the adage, "Live to Ride, Ride to Live".
Rating:  Summary: Quite an exxagerated tale Review: 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?
Rating:  Summary: Disappointed Review: 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.
Rating:  Summary: A great, fun book to read...Well recommended! Review: 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!
Rating:  Summary: Hell's Angel Review: 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.
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