The Prez

by David Spiteri

The true story of forty years inside one of Australia's first outlaw motorcycle clubs as told by its one-time president. With previously unrevealed insights into the outlaw world of extreme violence, drugs, corruption, sex, treachery and retribution. All names have been changed, and identities and events obscured. This is the only way the story could be told. 'this story is a true account of the birth of outlaw motorcycle clubs in Australia. there was no template for us, it just evolved. It shows our simple creed: loyalty to the club and respect for your brothers.' David Spiteri was a founding member and long-time President of one of Australia's first outlaw motorcycle clubs from its inception in the early 1960s through to the early 2000s. He has been uniquely placed to witness the clubs develop from loose affiliations of riders to the well structured and well connected groups we see today, with links to police, politicians and lawyers. In this never-before-told inside story, Spiteri puts himself at risk to reveal everything from the drug trafficking which funds the clubs' operations to the extreme violence that continues to make them infamous. For the first time, the true extent of the clubs' corruption will be exposed, and the treachery and subsequent retribution enforced by their own brand of law known as 'the code' is brought to light. A truly shocking and compelling look at a fascinating subculture.

Genres: True Crime, True Story

512 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

David Spiteri was a founding member and President of one of Australia's first biker gangs. He is 'semi-retired' from the club now. He saw outlaw motorcycle clubs (OMCs) develop from loose affiliations of like-minded riders to the well structured and well connected groups we see today, with links to police, politicians and lawyers. David lives in Rosebank, Northern NSW.

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, it reads well, but I'd say it's mostly fiction portrayed as truth. No names are named, and no places are the same, so the author is a bit scared to actually say anything about anyone. I'd say it's a cheap rip-off of Caesar Campbell's THE ENFORCER, which has the guts to use real names and events to tell his story.
Still a good read, if you like fictional bikie stories...

[Renée Heaton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it's interesting as it's based on true events, but on the other it's very badly written. It is basically all dialogue with no context and no way of attaching to or feeling for characters. Now I wouldn't expect a Pulitzer prize winning novel from an ex-biker but give me something! Anything that's going to help me see that you're not all disgustingly behaved, druggie criminals who don't deserve the bodies you walk around in. I am left wondering the authors reason for writing such a book. All it does us reinforce to the public what bad people you are. Definitely didn't win a friend in me nor challenge any stereotypes in general.

[Lorcan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is nearly completely fictional and struggles to keep any real momentum. Characters are interesting all a bit stereotypical.

[Genevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full disclosure…I listened to it on audiobook format and ditched it 3.5 hours into the 19 hour book.

Well, ok, this book has problems. When the forward claims that this book is the full, brave, firsthand, historical account and then mentions that:

1)People’s names have been changed
2)People’s appearances have been changed
3)People’s mannerisms have been changed
4)Locations have been changed

What is left when all of the above has been changed, along with the fact that there is no timeline presented? Looks like it can no longer be a historical account of anything, doesn’t it?

I was left thinking that this book is really a collection of bikie tales told through a creative and rather blurred lens. 2/5

[Kyester 1976 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute cracker of s story that is totally riveting right to the end. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

[Freedoms Wings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t find it the easiest book to read, writing was a little raw but I enjoyed reading it

[Jon Head · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never going to win a literary award, but entertaining. The book is mostly prose. Gives you a very vivid insight into Bikie culture. Warning - the sex scenes are very vividly described!

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. The way the story was told was like you were being told first hand. A great read..!!

[Jessica Payne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing

[Dave Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Interesting story.