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Out Bad
Out Bad is a true story about motorcycle outlaws and modern American police. It begins with the painstakingly assembled, never before told story of the murder of a Mongols Motorcycle Club member named Manuel Vincent “Hitman” Martin. Martin was shot off his motorcycle on the Glendale Freeway in Los Angeles about 2 a.m. on October 8, 2008. Initial reports alleged that Martin had been murdered by the Hells Angels and that he died as part of an ongoing, “furious feud” between the two groups. The truth behind the murder is much more interesting and disturbing than that. Martin died on the final day of a three-year-long, undercover investigation of the Mongols by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ATF called it “Operation Black Rain.” Both Black Rain, and the federal prosecution that followed, were so cynically unfair and corrupt that some Mongols still believe that Martin was actually murdered by government agents. Together, the investigation and the prosecution probably cost $150 million. The initial press coverage of the case was manipulated by the ATF. News of the subsequent legal wrangling was virtually non-existent because the Department of Justice wanted to keep the case as secret as possible. Out Bad, draws on numerous public and confidential sources including numerous sources within the Mongols, the Hells Angels and the ATF to accurately reveal what really happened. Out Bad is a startling ride down a dark road nobody yet knows. Here’s your ticket. Climb on. There ain’t no seatbelt.
- GenresNonfiction
254 pages
First published November 15, 2011
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85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 27, 2015
A biased but fascinating account of the interaction between the ATF and the Mongols MC, told through the lens of examining the murder of an individual Mongol. Davis is clearly sympathetic to the outlaws, but some of the logical points he raises cannot be denied.
The biggest; despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars (note: the ATF has never actually revealed the sum spent, through extrapolation Davis estimates the cost of one at 150 million) on several wide-ranging undercover operations, most of the convictions secured against the Mongols were small potatoes. Only three murder indictments were prosecuted and none of them were against a citizen - all the deceased were outlaws or criminals of some kind.
Another place where Davis is on firm ground is in the use of "confidential informants" (a fancy term for a criminal who agrees to cooperate with law enforcement to avoid doing time) to entice and entrap members of the Mongols into criminal acts - indeed, in some cases said informants held superior positions in club hierarchy and ordered members of the club to commit illegal acts. Acts for which said member was arrested. None of the ATF informants were ever prosecuted for illegal acts they committed, which may or may not have included murder and rape.
Davis asserts that while MC members do break the law, policemen do likewise in trying to stop them...which in turn has caused the situation to degenerate into just another gang war.
Considering the opacity involved in these kinds of investigations the truth will likely never be known. But considering other cases of police brutality and corruption we hear about every day, I do not find it unthinkable that the ATF broke laws in trying to catch lawbreakers.
Davis also takes the time to give several astute insights into the outlaw way, showing how most of the mythology surrounding them is a media-generated fantasy - both for the common citizen and the bikers themselves.
All around I recommend Out Bad to anyone interested in the subject.
The biggest; despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars (note: the ATF has never actually revealed the sum spent, through extrapolation Davis estimates the cost of one at 150 million) on several wide-ranging undercover operations, most of the convictions secured against the Mongols were small potatoes. Only three murder indictments were prosecuted and none of them were against a citizen - all the deceased were outlaws or criminals of some kind.
Another place where Davis is on firm ground is in the use of "confidential informants" (a fancy term for a criminal who agrees to cooperate with law enforcement to avoid doing time) to entice and entrap members of the Mongols into criminal acts - indeed, in some cases said informants held superior positions in club hierarchy and ordered members of the club to commit illegal acts. Acts for which said member was arrested. None of the ATF informants were ever prosecuted for illegal acts they committed, which may or may not have included murder and rape.
Davis asserts that while MC members do break the law, policemen do likewise in trying to stop them...which in turn has caused the situation to degenerate into just another gang war.
Considering the opacity involved in these kinds of investigations the truth will likely never be known. But considering other cases of police brutality and corruption we hear about every day, I do not find it unthinkable that the ATF broke laws in trying to catch lawbreakers.
Davis also takes the time to give several astute insights into the outlaw way, showing how most of the mythology surrounding them is a media-generated fantasy - both for the common citizen and the bikers themselves.
All around I recommend Out Bad to anyone interested in the subject.
August 16, 2012
Interesting, Unique and One-sided ...
To be honest, I don't really know how to interpret Charles Davis' OUT BAD as I wasn't sure whether the book was intended as a means of rallying the outlaw biker brethren, as an arm-shot to law enforcement or to serve as a heads-up to the rest of society. My interpretation of the book is based on my civilian (neither law-enforcement nor rider) perspective. While I found the book to be quite interesting, passionate and well-written, its words may ring hollow to those outside the biker realm.
The movie "Gimme Shelter" introduced me to the outlaw biker world over 20 years ago as it viscerally displays one particular group (the Hells Angels) as an entity to either step gingerly around or avoid altogether. Sure, it could have been edited to make the Angels look bad, but considering the "stars" of the movie (the Rolling Stones) appear pathetic at best, I felt it was a fair portrayal. The movie spurred my interest enough to read books by Sonny Barger, William Queen, Hunter Thompson, George Wethern, John Hall, Arthur Veno and others. The series "Gangland" was another source of information on the outlaw biker world for me as several episodes profiled "the Big Five" and other outlaw clubs. Although no expert on the subject matter, I am smart enough to see that the black and white world each side (law enforcement and outlaw biker) wishes to convey to the general public also hides a great deal of gray that both sides surely wish to be kept secret ... in other words, both sides play by their own rules. Charles Davis' book tries to influence readers that the outlaw biker world is simply misunderstood due to a series of myths perpetrated by the "real baddies": federal law enforcement (he even states the series "Gangland" as being a federal law enforcement tool). Davis is convinced that the unlimited power granted to federal law enforcement to shut down the "last frontier" of freedom (outlaw biker world) also threatens the rest of society's ability to live freely.
While OUT BAD leans heavily to the side of the "misunderstood" world of the outlaw biker, Davis actually does a good job outlining his case against questionable law enforcement tactics that are aimed at dismantling a society that he once was a part of. This perspective seems to come specifically from the point-of-view of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, which Davis may have been associated with as a member at one time (he is in the cover photo riding with a group of Mongols). The ATF's successful infiltration of the Mongols and other clubs is clearly a sore-spot for the author as he personally sets his sights on the ATF's John Ciccone and Operation Black Rain (aimed specifically at dismantling the Mongols). The author presents a logical case from the biker perspective, but his general argument is tainted somewhat by the undeniable misdeeds/actions of the groups he defends (most often at the expense of those who do not wish to be involved). All the violence described in the book that centers around warring clubs and battles with law enforcement don't account for the civilian fodder comprised of those who were either "in the wrong place at the wrong time" or supposedly "showed disrespect" to the wrong person. In other words, Davis provides enough documentation to demonize the outlaw biker world as much as he does law enforcement. Although the victim card is hard to play amidst all the violence, Davis does his best to suggest that most of the perceived ills of 1% groups are due to unfair stereotyping ... it's the same argument used by most groups associated with a history of negative incidents: Catholic priests, fraternities/sororities, the military, professional athletes, rock bands, etc. Unfortunately, 1%ers proudly broacast their desire to be non-law-biding outcasts with a FTW attitude ... hard to stereotype an image that has been intentionally cultivated for decades. But, it's essentially up to the reader to determine whether or not Davis' arguments are valid or not.
I found the book to be informative and interesting, but obviously one-sided. While Davis illustrates his perspective with vigor and logic, the message may fall on deaf ears for many readers (like me) who believe those who choose to be involved in the back-and-forth game of lawbreakers vs. lawmen get what they bargained for. While Davis may believe the tactics the government uses to deal with outlaw clubs are unfair; it should also be pointed out that many former and current outlaw bikers openly confess that a one-on-one fight against a club member usually results in that person fighting the entire club. In fact, there is no shortage of former and current members celebrating their club's penchant for violence and lawlessness ... so the definition of "fair" is clearly subject to interpretation. While OUT BAD failed to garner sympathy from me, it does give readers an alternate perspective to the ongoing war between bikers and law-enforcement. It is obvious that both sides (lawbreakers and lawmen) will use whatever tools and tactics necessary to get the upper hand in this roadrunner/coyote saga. I found OUT BAD adding balance to the overwhelming number of books that favor the law-enforcement point-of-view ... a somewhat refreshing change of pace. I would suggest reading OUT BAD in addition to William Queen's UNDER AND ALONE to better understand both sides of the issue.
To be honest, I don't really know how to interpret Charles Davis' OUT BAD as I wasn't sure whether the book was intended as a means of rallying the outlaw biker brethren, as an arm-shot to law enforcement or to serve as a heads-up to the rest of society. My interpretation of the book is based on my civilian (neither law-enforcement nor rider) perspective. While I found the book to be quite interesting, passionate and well-written, its words may ring hollow to those outside the biker realm.
The movie "Gimme Shelter" introduced me to the outlaw biker world over 20 years ago as it viscerally displays one particular group (the Hells Angels) as an entity to either step gingerly around or avoid altogether. Sure, it could have been edited to make the Angels look bad, but considering the "stars" of the movie (the Rolling Stones) appear pathetic at best, I felt it was a fair portrayal. The movie spurred my interest enough to read books by Sonny Barger, William Queen, Hunter Thompson, George Wethern, John Hall, Arthur Veno and others. The series "Gangland" was another source of information on the outlaw biker world for me as several episodes profiled "the Big Five" and other outlaw clubs. Although no expert on the subject matter, I am smart enough to see that the black and white world each side (law enforcement and outlaw biker) wishes to convey to the general public also hides a great deal of gray that both sides surely wish to be kept secret ... in other words, both sides play by their own rules. Charles Davis' book tries to influence readers that the outlaw biker world is simply misunderstood due to a series of myths perpetrated by the "real baddies": federal law enforcement (he even states the series "Gangland" as being a federal law enforcement tool). Davis is convinced that the unlimited power granted to federal law enforcement to shut down the "last frontier" of freedom (outlaw biker world) also threatens the rest of society's ability to live freely.
While OUT BAD leans heavily to the side of the "misunderstood" world of the outlaw biker, Davis actually does a good job outlining his case against questionable law enforcement tactics that are aimed at dismantling a society that he once was a part of. This perspective seems to come specifically from the point-of-view of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, which Davis may have been associated with as a member at one time (he is in the cover photo riding with a group of Mongols). The ATF's successful infiltration of the Mongols and other clubs is clearly a sore-spot for the author as he personally sets his sights on the ATF's John Ciccone and Operation Black Rain (aimed specifically at dismantling the Mongols). The author presents a logical case from the biker perspective, but his general argument is tainted somewhat by the undeniable misdeeds/actions of the groups he defends (most often at the expense of those who do not wish to be involved). All the violence described in the book that centers around warring clubs and battles with law enforcement don't account for the civilian fodder comprised of those who were either "in the wrong place at the wrong time" or supposedly "showed disrespect" to the wrong person. In other words, Davis provides enough documentation to demonize the outlaw biker world as much as he does law enforcement. Although the victim card is hard to play amidst all the violence, Davis does his best to suggest that most of the perceived ills of 1% groups are due to unfair stereotyping ... it's the same argument used by most groups associated with a history of negative incidents: Catholic priests, fraternities/sororities, the military, professional athletes, rock bands, etc. Unfortunately, 1%ers proudly broacast their desire to be non-law-biding outcasts with a FTW attitude ... hard to stereotype an image that has been intentionally cultivated for decades. But, it's essentially up to the reader to determine whether or not Davis' arguments are valid or not.
I found the book to be informative and interesting, but obviously one-sided. While Davis illustrates his perspective with vigor and logic, the message may fall on deaf ears for many readers (like me) who believe those who choose to be involved in the back-and-forth game of lawbreakers vs. lawmen get what they bargained for. While Davis may believe the tactics the government uses to deal with outlaw clubs are unfair; it should also be pointed out that many former and current outlaw bikers openly confess that a one-on-one fight against a club member usually results in that person fighting the entire club. In fact, there is no shortage of former and current members celebrating their club's penchant for violence and lawlessness ... so the definition of "fair" is clearly subject to interpretation. While OUT BAD failed to garner sympathy from me, it does give readers an alternate perspective to the ongoing war between bikers and law-enforcement. It is obvious that both sides (lawbreakers and lawmen) will use whatever tools and tactics necessary to get the upper hand in this roadrunner/coyote saga. I found OUT BAD adding balance to the overwhelming number of books that favor the law-enforcement point-of-view ... a somewhat refreshing change of pace. I would suggest reading OUT BAD in addition to William Queen's UNDER AND ALONE to better understand both sides of the issue.
January 20, 2020
Davis is a total fraud and while this book has some good information that he obtained from members of the Mongols, discovery obtained from members, and doing his own public records research, I watched him testify in court that he does not fact check his sources of information that he cites in his works regarding Black Rain, includes speculation, and came to conclusions about agents involved in the case because the seemed logical to him. While this book does a much better job of explaining the realities and some of the corruption by the undercover agents and paid Contract Sources of Information involved in Operation Black Rain, don't waste your money on this book and simply read his Aging Rebel blog for free.
January 22, 2020
Very interesting read. Brings a lot of light to subjects in the 1%er world the public would not know. It really paints LEO in a very bad light. It makes you wonder who are the bad guys now and who are the good guys. I can see both sides. But the LEO side is getting corrupt and has been for over 40 years now. It use to be about getting along. Now its about taking rights and extermination. Any biker should read anything this man puts out. Protect yourself and your own and really look at who you let in your clubs. Be legit.
September 1, 2019
Terrible.
I kept waiting for some semblance of a story line. This "book" is nothing more than one guy bashing cops and undercover operations. Really really lame. Save your money. One star because it won't let me give zero.
I kept waiting for some semblance of a story line. This "book" is nothing more than one guy bashing cops and undercover operations. Really really lame. Save your money. One star because it won't let me give zero.
Read
January 11, 2024Bad is correct
Very biased writing and unfounded assumptions and statements made all throughout the book. An attempt to make gang bikers look good. A little to good. Waste of money and time
Very biased writing and unfounded assumptions and statements made all throughout the book. An attempt to make gang bikers look good. A little to good. Waste of money and time
July 23, 2025
Easy
Easiest book I have ever read. It had lots of information, but it also stays on point. I recommend this book for anyone that loves true crime.
Easiest book I have ever read. It had lots of information, but it also stays on point. I recommend this book for anyone that loves true crime.
December 2, 2011
I give this book such high marks because I think it's important to read it to get an understanding of the direction "Justice" has taken in the U.S. Davis, also known as "The Aging Rebel", reports on the ATF's efforts to wipe out the so-called outlaw motorcycle clubs. He explains that the way Rico (The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)is used to identify a group as a criminal enterprise could be turned against the Catholic Church or the Boy Scouts, not to mention a national political party, all it takes is for a couple of members to have "predicate" convictions and everyone in the organization could be implicated. He also explains the move away from the prosecution of "suspected crimes" to the prosecution of "possible" crimes. ATF indictments rarely go to trial because the prosecution makes the punishment so severe for a conviction in a jury trial that defendants succumb to the prosecution pressure to make a deal for lesser time, for which they must plead guilty to myriad charges, including confessing they were part of a criminal "enterprise."
Besides being informative, Out Bad is a great read, I like Davis's style of writing. He traces the history of motorcycle gangs and describes how they fit into the "American narrative." He details the way undercover cops work in organizations (often as agents provocateur, going to extremes to get their subjects to commit crimes) and the importance of paid confidential informants, criminals who are paid to commit crimes and are immune from prosecution in exchange for giving often unverified information to the police. I couldn't put it down.
I did find a few errors. At on point he refers to police as "scared cows" rather than sacred cows. On page 137 he refers to another author's book as having a scene that has been "blatantly prevented" which I think should be "blatantly invented." On page 22 he offers a quote that implicates undercover agents in the murder of Hitman Martin without mentioning the source. I offer them up so they can be corrected if there are future printings which I hope there will be if enough readers find his work.
Besides being informative, Out Bad is a great read, I like Davis's style of writing. He traces the history of motorcycle gangs and describes how they fit into the "American narrative." He details the way undercover cops work in organizations (often as agents provocateur, going to extremes to get their subjects to commit crimes) and the importance of paid confidential informants, criminals who are paid to commit crimes and are immune from prosecution in exchange for giving often unverified information to the police. I couldn't put it down.
I did find a few errors. At on point he refers to police as "scared cows" rather than sacred cows. On page 137 he refers to another author's book as having a scene that has been "blatantly prevented" which I think should be "blatantly invented." On page 22 he offers a quote that implicates undercover agents in the murder of Hitman Martin without mentioning the source. I offer them up so they can be corrected if there are future printings which I hope there will be if enough readers find his work.
October 16, 2012
If you have any interest in outlaw motorcycle clubs this book is fascinating. Most books about these clubs are either justify them in a self-serving way or sensationalize their exploits in order to sell more books.
He captures the corners the Federal government will cut in order to publicly take these clubs down for the PR value. As an American citizen you should be aware of the kind of abuse of power the ATF uses against convenient targets like these clubs and the way the individual members are often victimized out of proportion to the magnitude of their crimes.
He also manages to capture the nature of these clubs as neither all good nor all evil, largely a big dysfunctional family seeking for honor and brotherhood, yet easily manipulated by both bad leaders and smart Federal agents.
The author is just a great writer as well.
He captures the corners the Federal government will cut in order to publicly take these clubs down for the PR value. As an American citizen you should be aware of the kind of abuse of power the ATF uses against convenient targets like these clubs and the way the individual members are often victimized out of proportion to the magnitude of their crimes.
He also manages to capture the nature of these clubs as neither all good nor all evil, largely a big dysfunctional family seeking for honor and brotherhood, yet easily manipulated by both bad leaders and smart Federal agents.
The author is just a great writer as well.
Read
May 5, 2012Sorry to say but just to let all you people know who get there kicks off of bullshit. Get a better hobby! This book was based on pure news and publicized media. Therefore anyone could have written this book. My husband is a Mongol and we laughed through the whole book. Knowing some truths (not all, because he can't disclose most) this book was just lies. Not even worth my money. The cover alone was posted by a Mongol member who posted his personal footage on you tube. If I can recall it was the national run to San Diego. So this so called author "Aging Rebel"! Couldn't even get his personal photo! What a joke!
October 17, 2012
An interesting addition to the modern biker book genre, Davies (aka blogger aging rebel) has written a book focused on the Mongols which ramps up into a full on attack against the team in the ATF that targeted the club, alleging essentially that the members were targeted and essentially framed by agents working to their own agenda.
For more biker book reviews visit http://bad-press.co.uk/the-brethren-t...
For more biker book reviews visit http://bad-press.co.uk/the-brethren-t...
February 26, 2012
This is very important book, it clearly shows law enforcement agencies abuse of power in their attack on the Mongols MC. As Benjamin Franklin said "Those that give up some of their liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Sadly this describes the path that has been laid out for us (U.S.)
March 31, 2014
This book worked particularly well right after having read William Queen's "Under and Alone"
It works basically as a response to that, since this book depicts the point of view of the MCs versus that of the ATF agent.
The writing style and quality are not polished, it needs a proofreaded but it is a vital work on the modern era of the motorcycle club nevertheless.
It works basically as a response to that, since this book depicts the point of view of the MCs versus that of the ATF agent.
The writing style and quality are not polished, it needs a proofreaded but it is a vital work on the modern era of the motorcycle club nevertheless.
May 31, 2012
I have read every book the author of this book referenced. He should have taken notes on how they wrote and presented their books because this book falls way short. Amazon reviews gave this great reviews. I found this read boring and also all over the place with alot of nonense.
April 30, 2013
Through the read I've rated this differently. When it comes to critisizing law enforcement work ot is quite enlighting, and as that, a good counterpart in the outlaw biker book flora.
When it comes to editing and design/layout... I guess it was done by an illiterate 9-year old? Sad to see…
When it comes to editing and design/layout... I guess it was done by an illiterate 9-year old? Sad to see…
November 9, 2015
Really quite good, an outlaw biker's assessment of the Great National Train Wreck in the 21st century. I'm guessing Davis does most of his own copy editing, which at times appears to be none. In this case, that's not much of a problem, though -- the book never fails to communicate.
July 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I independently verified some of the facts of it through a third party, and it all checked out. I have no reason to doubt any of it.
October 18, 2015
really cool perspective on an outlaw motorcycle club.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews