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Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club Audiobook
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(3.01) - 945 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Narrated by the visionary founding member, Hell's Angel provides a fascinating all-access pass to the secret world of the notorious Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. Sonny Barger recounts the birth of the original Oakland Hell's Angels and the four turbulent decades that followed. Hell's Angel also chronicles the way the HAMC revolutionized the look of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle and built what has become a worldwide bike-riding fraternity, a beacon for freedom-seekers the world over.
Dozens of photos, including many from private collections and from noted photographers, provide visual documentation to this extraordinary tale. Never simply a story about motorcycles, colorful characters, and high-speed thrills, Hell's Angel is the ultimate outlaw's tale of loyalty and betrayal, subcultures and brotherhood, and the real price of freedom.
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"I couldn't put this one down, despite the book's age and the narrow subject matter. It blended social history, current events and exciting reporting into a story that left me entertained and actually possessed of a little bit more understanding of American culture."
— Johnmark (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“About as subtle as a kick in the groin, and that’s what’s so refreshing about it. Hell’s Angel is so unabashedly candid, so remorselessly violent, so brash that we can’t help but admire Barger, even if we don’t like him.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Barger reveals with disarming candor the behind-the-scenes history of the most feared and notorious motorcycle club of all time…As Kerouac and friends were shambling cross-country in a beat-up Buick, Barger and his Angels were burning tread marks in the tar and instilling fear, envy, and wanderlust into the heart of America.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Barger, king of the chopper pilots, road variety is an American icon, and his life story is a history of the biker lifestyle…Barger paints an engrossing picture of a distinctive subculture that receives precious little literary attention.”
— Booklist -
“Barger shares stories of pool hall fights, motorcycle runs, the importance of loyalty and honor, and relentless battles against the government efforts to destroy…this wild and dangerous American subculture. A most interesting book.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Hell's Angel Listener Reviews
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" Sonny is really quite witty in this book, I think of all of his books, this one is the best read, although Freedom is a great second place. "
— Ann, 2/17/2014 -
" Read on West Coast tour with Paint It Black "
— Darren, 2/13/2014 -
" Highly colorized version of the history of the Hells Angels from the former president of the Oakland (Mother Charter) Club. "
— Doug, 2/12/2014 -
" The writing is raw, but that is what you would expect from this guy. I wanted to ride motorcycles after I read Zen, but after reading this book, I finally decided I couldn't wait any longer. Not a bad read, interesting to hear his perspective on the events that affected the club the most over the years. I flew through it in about 3 days. Not a literary achievement by any stretch, but cool stories about growing up in Oakland. "
— Big, 2/8/2014 -
" I'm sorry I paid money that this man will receive. What a terrible person. "
— Fabian, 1/19/2014 -
" Worth a read if you are interested in the era and the culture. "
— Kerry, 1/2/2014 -
" Pretty good book it is interesting to hear Sonny Bargers view on life as a Hells Angel "
— Dawn, 12/31/2013 -
" An amazing companion piece to Hunter Thompson's book about the Hell's Angels. Sonny Barger gives a fascinating (if biased) look at the motorcycle club from the inside, and pretty much blows Thompson's account out of the water. "
— Hannah, 12/27/2013 -
" Sonny Barger is a total bad ass. He stabbed some people. "
— Travis, 12/19/2013 -
" Not worth the time. If you want to learn about Sonny Barger or the HAMC just wikipedia it. At points I was interested, but they were few and far between. Dry and rambled on. "
— Matt, 12/5/2013 -
" Read in parallel to Hunter Thompson's book 'Hell's Angels'. Good to see both sides of the story. "
— Chris, 9/25/2013 -
" Yeah. Of course it is Mr Barger's view of things. Entertaining none the less. "
— Tomi, 6/22/2013 -
" Ehhh, it's okay... This M C gang toots it's own horn as usual. "
— Raul, 5/8/2013 -
" Sonny Barger is one tough dude. I now understand what it takes to become a Hell's Angel and it's not only a MC but a brotherhood. A good read and not only informative but entertaining. "
— Barbara, 5/5/2013 -
" A fascinating glimpse into the life of the Leader of the Hell's Angels. Rivetting! "
— J.M., 11/27/2012 -
" churched up the criminal life "
— Kelly, 11/12/2012 -
" Great behind the scenes look at the Hell's Angeles and how they were run. "
— Margo, 11/5/2012 -
" Love this book, and I even have a copy that is personalized for me "
— Agmfan3, 10/26/2012
About the Authors
Sonny Barger is the New York Times author of Hell’s Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club. A master mechanic who has owned and operated his own bike shops, he currently lives in Arizona, where he rides every day.
About John Pruden
John Pruden is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. His exposure to many people, places, and experiences throughout his life provides a deep creative well from which he draws his narrative and vocal characterizations. His narration of The Killing of Crazy Horse by Thomas Powers was chosen by the Washington Post as a Best Audiobook of 2010.