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Exile on Front Street: My Life as a Hells Angel . . . and Beyond
A memoir of the Hells Angels motorcycle club from one of its most high-profile leaders.
After forty years in the Hells Angels, George Christie was ready to retire. As president of the high-profile Ventura charter of the club, he had been the yin to Sonny Barger’s yang. Barger was the reckless figurehead and de facto world leader of the Hells Angels. Christie was the negotiator, the spokesman, the thinker, the guy who smoothed things out. He was the one who carried the Olympic torch and counted movie stars, artists, rock musicians, and police chief captains among his friends.
But leaving the Hells Angels isn’t easy, and within two weeks of retirement, he was told he was “out bad”―blackballed by his fellow Angels, prohibited from wearing the club patch, and even told he should remove his Death Head tattoo.
Now Christie sets out to tell his story. Exile on Front Street is the tale of how a former Marine gave up a comfortable job with the Department of Defense and swore allegiance to the Hells Angels. In this revealing, hard-hitting memoir, he recounts his life as an outlaw biker with the world’s most infamous motorcycle club.
After forty years in the Hells Angels, George Christie was ready to retire. As president of the high-profile Ventura charter of the club, he had been the yin to Sonny Barger’s yang. Barger was the reckless figurehead and de facto world leader of the Hells Angels. Christie was the negotiator, the spokesman, the thinker, the guy who smoothed things out. He was the one who carried the Olympic torch and counted movie stars, artists, rock musicians, and police chief captains among his friends.
But leaving the Hells Angels isn’t easy, and within two weeks of retirement, he was told he was “out bad”―blackballed by his fellow Angels, prohibited from wearing the club patch, and even told he should remove his Death Head tattoo.
Now Christie sets out to tell his story. Exile on Front Street is the tale of how a former Marine gave up a comfortable job with the Department of Defense and swore allegiance to the Hells Angels. In this revealing, hard-hitting memoir, he recounts his life as an outlaw biker with the world’s most infamous motorcycle club.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2016
147 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
George Christie
1 book11 followersGeorge Christie was born in Ventura, California. He served as a Marine reservist after graduating high school, and after completing his service became an electrician and communications troubleshooter for the Department of Defense. He “prospected” for the Hells Angel Motorcycle Club in 1975, becoming a full-patch member in 1976. Eventually founding the Ventura Chapter and serving as its president for over 30 years, George would go on to carry the Olympic torch for the 1984 Olympic Games. He also served as the club’s international spokesman for more than two decades. He has owned several businesses, including a custom motorcycle garage, a widely renowned tattoo shop, and a bail bonds and legal referral business he ran in tandem with his daughter’s legal practice. He lives in Ojai, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 15, 2016
The Yin to Sonny Barger’s Yang …
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free copy of the book.
I first learned of George Christie after watching the History Channel’s “Outlaw Chronicles” last year. The six part series focused on Christie’s experience as a Hell’s Angel before he and the club parted ways. The series was fascinating in that it offered a peek inside the world’s largest and most-recognized outlaw motorcycle club from a long-term, high ranking former member. The series revealed Christie to be intelligent, diplomatic and a great story-teller. While EXILE ON FRONT STREET covers much of the same ground shown in the mini-series, it fills gaps and elaborates on stories to provide a better understanding of outlaw biker world.
EXILE ON FRONT STREET is mostly biographical, but the underlying theme of the book is George Christie’s effort to set the record straight on his current standing with the Hells Angels by tracing his steps with the club from the beginning. According to him, he left the club on good terms, but the club later claimed he was kicked out with current members ordered to end all contact with him (“out bad”). Christie presents his argument that the change in circumstance was caused by an escalating adversarial relationship with Hells Angel icon Sonny Barger, a relationship that still presents problems for Christie today. From beginning to end, the book is chock full of stories viewed through the unique perspective of a former high ranking member … in other words, a rare perspective.
Christie knows how to tell a story and while I recognized many incidents covered in “Outlaw Chronicles”, I felt the book offered a more elaborate perspective. The author walks a fine line between presenting himself as a criminal in charge of a criminal organization and that of a decent, well-intentioned patriot (former Marine) who simply wants to live his life on his own terms … an outlaw. The term “outlaw” is heavily referenced throughout the book and is used as a simple and somewhat innocent rationale for much of Christie’s exploits as a Hells Angel. Readers will have to determine for themselves whether or not they believe the author is sincere in divulging the full extent of his activities as an Angel or if the stories being told don’t tell the full story. Regardless, the overall flavor of the book certainly contradicts the stereotypical dirty-dumb-biker image depicted by the media, movies and television. Christie’s story reveals him as being business-savvy (me ran several “legitimate” businesses), intelligent (his “real” job with the Dept. of Defense), leader and a diplomat (he always took the initiative to end the tit-for-tat violence between the Angels and their rivals). Having read Sonny Barger’s book, I feel Christie offers a different perspective of being an outlaw biker … Barger’s book is a wild ride full of over-the-top stories, whereas EXILE ON FRONT STREET slows things down and reveals that leading a chapter of Hells Angels involves much more than drugs, fighting and sex. Although there are plenty of juicy stories throughout the book, I found Christie’s depiction of trying to resolve the flare-ups and turf wars with rival outlaw clubs (rather than participating in the violence) quite unique. The more you read, the more you see the differences between Christie and Barger … but it is clear that both men were at the helm when the club was at their peak. Christiie (not Barger) represented the Hells Angels by running a leg of the Olympic torch’s journey to Los Angeles in 1984. It is easy to sense that his sour relationship with Barger was more a clash of egos than anything else.
Even though Christie has likely tempered his story for legal reasons, I felt the book was generally sincere. He admits he’s no angel (no pun intended) and he does air a lot of the club’s dirty laundry … taking shots at those who he feels wronged him (Barger is a frequent target). Sure, it’s a one-sided perspective, but the book comes across as being cathartic for the author than an effort to cash-in on sensationalism. The ongoing balancing act between the author’s personal/family life and a Hells Angels chapter president is particularly interesting, especially considering his (now deceased) son became a Hells Angel, as a teenager.
I’ve read numerous books about outlaw bike clubs and find EXILE ON FRONT STREET providing a different take on the outlaw biker life. While there is no denying the fact that criminal activity is rightfully associated with the Hells Angels, George Christie certainly proves that simply lumping bikers together as mindless thugs is an ignorant thing to do.
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free copy of the book.
I first learned of George Christie after watching the History Channel’s “Outlaw Chronicles” last year. The six part series focused on Christie’s experience as a Hell’s Angel before he and the club parted ways. The series was fascinating in that it offered a peek inside the world’s largest and most-recognized outlaw motorcycle club from a long-term, high ranking former member. The series revealed Christie to be intelligent, diplomatic and a great story-teller. While EXILE ON FRONT STREET covers much of the same ground shown in the mini-series, it fills gaps and elaborates on stories to provide a better understanding of outlaw biker world.
EXILE ON FRONT STREET is mostly biographical, but the underlying theme of the book is George Christie’s effort to set the record straight on his current standing with the Hells Angels by tracing his steps with the club from the beginning. According to him, he left the club on good terms, but the club later claimed he was kicked out with current members ordered to end all contact with him (“out bad”). Christie presents his argument that the change in circumstance was caused by an escalating adversarial relationship with Hells Angel icon Sonny Barger, a relationship that still presents problems for Christie today. From beginning to end, the book is chock full of stories viewed through the unique perspective of a former high ranking member … in other words, a rare perspective.
Christie knows how to tell a story and while I recognized many incidents covered in “Outlaw Chronicles”, I felt the book offered a more elaborate perspective. The author walks a fine line between presenting himself as a criminal in charge of a criminal organization and that of a decent, well-intentioned patriot (former Marine) who simply wants to live his life on his own terms … an outlaw. The term “outlaw” is heavily referenced throughout the book and is used as a simple and somewhat innocent rationale for much of Christie’s exploits as a Hells Angel. Readers will have to determine for themselves whether or not they believe the author is sincere in divulging the full extent of his activities as an Angel or if the stories being told don’t tell the full story. Regardless, the overall flavor of the book certainly contradicts the stereotypical dirty-dumb-biker image depicted by the media, movies and television. Christie’s story reveals him as being business-savvy (me ran several “legitimate” businesses), intelligent (his “real” job with the Dept. of Defense), leader and a diplomat (he always took the initiative to end the tit-for-tat violence between the Angels and their rivals). Having read Sonny Barger’s book, I feel Christie offers a different perspective of being an outlaw biker … Barger’s book is a wild ride full of over-the-top stories, whereas EXILE ON FRONT STREET slows things down and reveals that leading a chapter of Hells Angels involves much more than drugs, fighting and sex. Although there are plenty of juicy stories throughout the book, I found Christie’s depiction of trying to resolve the flare-ups and turf wars with rival outlaw clubs (rather than participating in the violence) quite unique. The more you read, the more you see the differences between Christie and Barger … but it is clear that both men were at the helm when the club was at their peak. Christiie (not Barger) represented the Hells Angels by running a leg of the Olympic torch’s journey to Los Angeles in 1984. It is easy to sense that his sour relationship with Barger was more a clash of egos than anything else.
Even though Christie has likely tempered his story for legal reasons, I felt the book was generally sincere. He admits he’s no angel (no pun intended) and he does air a lot of the club’s dirty laundry … taking shots at those who he feels wronged him (Barger is a frequent target). Sure, it’s a one-sided perspective, but the book comes across as being cathartic for the author than an effort to cash-in on sensationalism. The ongoing balancing act between the author’s personal/family life and a Hells Angels chapter president is particularly interesting, especially considering his (now deceased) son became a Hells Angel, as a teenager.
I’ve read numerous books about outlaw bike clubs and find EXILE ON FRONT STREET providing a different take on the outlaw biker life. While there is no denying the fact that criminal activity is rightfully associated with the Hells Angels, George Christie certainly proves that simply lumping bikers together as mindless thugs is an ignorant thing to do.
September 19, 2016
Former Hell's Angel leader George Christie, has a block buster of a book, a detailed true account of his 35+ Years as President of the Ventura Chapter and Nationally known member of the Hell's Angels his book ' EXILE ON FRONT STREET" is now a piece of American History.
As a former member of the "Corrupt" Law Enforcement Unit (BET)- Biker Enforcement Team we spent decades trying to take George Christie, "Sonny" Barger and over 100+ members of the HA's down, mostly all on illegal wiretaps, planting evidence, perjured affidavits, false police reports, faked drug deals, planting evidence and a host of other illegal activities by the unit and the Feds. Yet the truth finally is out.
Millions of US Tax Payer $$$$ were wasted on a massive illegal scam and fraud to destroy the Hell's Angels and Mr. Christie. His book is truly a must read, it should be in every History class to know what really happened. I recommend this book to all it is an American Story.
As a former member of the "Corrupt" Law Enforcement Unit (BET)- Biker Enforcement Team we spent decades trying to take George Christie, "Sonny" Barger and over 100+ members of the HA's down, mostly all on illegal wiretaps, planting evidence, perjured affidavits, false police reports, faked drug deals, planting evidence and a host of other illegal activities by the unit and the Feds. Yet the truth finally is out.
Millions of US Tax Payer $$$$ were wasted on a massive illegal scam and fraud to destroy the Hell's Angels and Mr. Christie. His book is truly a must read, it should be in every History class to know what really happened. I recommend this book to all it is an American Story.
September 24, 2016
Incredible story.
This was gripping and well written. An honest autobiography that pulled no punches and as straight forward as the author. Thank you Mr Christie for an incredible story of your life.
This was gripping and well written. An honest autobiography that pulled no punches and as straight forward as the author. Thank you Mr Christie for an incredible story of your life.
January 22, 2023
Excellent book about a morally conflicted human who tries to do the right thing under difficult circumstances. He is honest about his own failings and faults.
Nice easy comfortable read with lots of well explained human drama. You feel real sympathy for a lot of the folks in the book, even when said individuals bring thier own demise on themselves.
Recommendation for a good read!
Nice easy comfortable read with lots of well explained human drama. You feel real sympathy for a lot of the folks in the book, even when said individuals bring thier own demise on themselves.
Recommendation for a good read!
January 20, 2020
There has been a lot of controversy around George leaving the club but if you were a 1%er and knew him and the Hells Angels, you will most likely agree with me that Exile on Front Street presents the most accurate version of his departure from the club he loved for so many years, and as a nationally prominent 1%er who chose to leave the club world behind after twenty-two years, I can say that I made a lot of similar conclusions prior to my departure as well.
His stories about the club and Sonny are accurate as far as I personally know them and consistent with that I was told by other prominent Hells Angels members, and he does a good job describing some of the persecution that outlaw motorcycle clubs suffer at the hands of law enforcement.
With all the controversy surrounding George and this book, I encourage you to read it and decide for yourself.
His stories about the club and Sonny are accurate as far as I personally know them and consistent with that I was told by other prominent Hells Angels members, and he does a good job describing some of the persecution that outlaw motorcycle clubs suffer at the hands of law enforcement.
With all the controversy surrounding George and this book, I encourage you to read it and decide for yourself.
November 26, 2018
The 'front street' reference in the title means to be 'exposed and unprotected, a target for anyone from law enforcement to your former club brothers to complete strangers.' The author gravitated to the Hells Angels because of his love of motorcycles and desire for camaraderie. He adopted the 'outlaw' philosophy of not wanting to live by the rules and was therefore at odds with many of his compatriots who had similar attitudes but who insisted he live by THEIR rules. You can probably see where this is headed... The book is a well-written account of this fascinating dichotomy.
November 18, 2019
Just a wovable widdle teddy bear, yes I am!
The book is an interesting read. I'm pretty sure mafiosos use the same logic as the author. As Camus said, “We are all exceptional cases. We all want to appeal against something! Each of us insists on being innocent at all cost, even if he has to accuse the whole human race and heaven itself.”
The author's appeal is to honor, brotherhood, patriotism, family, and the "outlaw" mentality, which means nothing more than following one's own ethos. Yeah, so how does that make you any different from a common house cat? Well, as the author found out the hard way, cats make poor "brothers." You can't have an organization based on everyone "doing their own thing." Neither can society or any decent culture be had without shared common ground. If each is his own authority, then there is no authority. Power becomes the sole method of settling disputes. Christie laments the fact that he is no longer able to reason with his club and senses it is the beginning of the end. When every man is his own authority, all they have to do is look at you and shrug. To what will you appeal?
Christie tiptoes around possibly "getting religion" at some future date. I hope he discovers the only basis for morality and rationality sooner rather than later, before he discovers his entire life has consisted of trading one illusion for another.
The book is an interesting read. I'm pretty sure mafiosos use the same logic as the author. As Camus said, “We are all exceptional cases. We all want to appeal against something! Each of us insists on being innocent at all cost, even if he has to accuse the whole human race and heaven itself.”
The author's appeal is to honor, brotherhood, patriotism, family, and the "outlaw" mentality, which means nothing more than following one's own ethos. Yeah, so how does that make you any different from a common house cat? Well, as the author found out the hard way, cats make poor "brothers." You can't have an organization based on everyone "doing their own thing." Neither can society or any decent culture be had without shared common ground. If each is his own authority, then there is no authority. Power becomes the sole method of settling disputes. Christie laments the fact that he is no longer able to reason with his club and senses it is the beginning of the end. When every man is his own authority, all they have to do is look at you and shrug. To what will you appeal?
Christie tiptoes around possibly "getting religion" at some future date. I hope he discovers the only basis for morality and rationality sooner rather than later, before he discovers his entire life has consisted of trading one illusion for another.
April 8, 2019
The book is a special in terms of its ability to capture your mind. Nevertheless it's very disrespectful to judge the author.
This is very good account to dig deeper the outlaw lifestyle.
George Christie is Greek descendant from both sides of his grandparents. Born in Ventura, California but raised in Sparta. The picture we get from this book isn't which we had imagined for any outlaw biker. Christie is rare breed of outlaws who seem more sensible than usual rowdy heavy party animals. The way he expresses his love and non abusive technique to raise children is clearly great.
However I still feel that it won't be entirely true to ride with pack without getting dirty. So I guess there's still something untold in this book.
This is very good account to dig deeper the outlaw lifestyle.
Being an outlaw isn’t something you find “out there,” it’s inside you. You don’t have to own a motorcycle or wear a patch on your back to be an outlaw. You just have to live life on your terms, and to be true to whatever you believe in even when it’s hard to stand up for those beliefs. So many people are lost in this world, and especially in America. They’re so worried about what others think, letting themselves be defined by what they buy, own, wear, drive, or ride. Given what the masses are doing, if you follow your own compass and know where you’re going, you’re already an outlaw.
George Christie is Greek descendant from both sides of his grandparents. Born in Ventura, California but raised in Sparta. The picture we get from this book isn't which we had imagined for any outlaw biker. Christie is rare breed of outlaws who seem more sensible than usual rowdy heavy party animals. The way he expresses his love and non abusive technique to raise children is clearly great.
However I still feel that it won't be entirely true to ride with pack without getting dirty. So I guess there's still something untold in this book.
April 12, 2022
Exile on Front Street: My Life as a Hells Angel
Top read George, thank you for putting it out there. Your book had me hooked from the start. From what I’ve read you were a great leader and tried hard to be the peacemaker. It took you a long time to find the love of your life but in the end after everything life through at you, you came out the other side with a great outlook, a great family and the respect of many and even though we don’t know each other you have mine❤️ What a ride!
Top read George, thank you for putting it out there. Your book had me hooked from the start. From what I’ve read you were a great leader and tried hard to be the peacemaker. It took you a long time to find the love of your life but in the end after everything life through at you, you came out the other side with a great outlook, a great family and the respect of many and even though we don’t know each other you have mine❤️ What a ride!
March 12, 2023
Strait, to the point and a clearly presented story. Love learning the history and George's side of the story.
That aside, it the word 'outlaw' wasn't written 5439052309 times throughout the book, that would have helped lol.
We get it, 1%, wild outlaw lifestyle - you do not need to tell us every 3rd paragraph that you all were outlaws. It got to the point where every time I saw the word, it made me cringe...
That aside, it the word 'outlaw' wasn't written 5439052309 times throughout the book, that would have helped lol.
We get it, 1%, wild outlaw lifestyle - you do not need to tell us every 3rd paragraph that you all were outlaws. It got to the point where every time I saw the word, it made me cringe...
May 19, 2023
A life story that keeps every page turning quickly. The reader will learn the childhood background of the author as it advances into adulthood, including his time as a hangaround with other MC clubs, Question Marks and Satan's Slaves, and eventually as a prospect with the Hells Angels. He even participated as one of the Olympic Games Torch Runners. As with members of New York's Five Families, the individual's home family life suffers irreparable damage and, in many cases, is eventually destroyed. You will even read of Christie's visit to a psychiatrist that mirrors the actions and experiences of the character Tony Soprano in "The Sopranos" TV series many years later.
Once Christie ascended to the presidency of 81, his 'regular' D.O.D. job ended. Police kept tabs on 81 members for identification purposes with traffic stops "They’d write down your name, nickname, license plate, club affiliation, and identifying features—such as distinctive patches on your cut or tattoos. The notes were kept on three-by-five index cards in pen. They would be copied and used as mini-files all street cops could carry and reference. It gave local law enforcement a way to tell at a glance who was riding where. If I moved the charter from Glendale to Ventura, I’d screw up the system." Merging other clubs who 'patch over' to 81, and reestablishing the charter to Ventura, gave its members a sort of fresh start.
"I’m biased, but I don’t believe the word justice gets mentioned much, if at all, inside the offices of the DEA, ATF, FBI, or any other alphabet agency. In my experience, decency and fairness are much rarer qualities within law enforcement than they are in “outlaw” motorcycle clubs. Law enforcement gets away with things outlaws would not tolerate other outlaws doing... The Hells Angels and the feds. It’s like the Hatfields and McCoys. The feds have an irrational hatred for the Angels. This isn’t law enforcement doing their job. It’s an ongoing vendetta. Bullies with badges are one thing, but the ATF is far more dangerous. They have a scary stop-at-nothing mentality. Some truly despicable, soulless people work for the ATF." -George Christie
- Additional Excerpts:
"The feds are another matter. Sometimes, especially at the federal level, agents and prosecutors blur the line between outlaw and cop. They are driven individuals who are often more about the win than they are about any sense of right and wrong."
"My grandparents on both sides had changed their names. Vlassopoulos became Blacy. Chrispikos became Christie. If it’s Us, why change your name unless you were ashamed? I also knew early on that people in town looked down their noses at Greeks. We weren’t respectable society."
"The outlaw world promised what we all felt was real freedom. It was authentic, the exact opposite of the lockstep, mindless conformity of Arrow shirt ads, freshly mown lawns and polite Sunday-afternoon backyard cookouts. By the early seventies, all of that seemed plastic and phony. I knew there would be consequences for living against the grain, just as every outlaw does. But to me, the price was well worth it."
"I didn’t realize it right then as I bundled up the M14, climbed down from the roof, and quietly drove away. But that decision set the tone for my leadership and my role in the Hells Angels going forward. Sonny was the figurehead. Irish was the brawler. Animal was the crazy one."
"What are we, a Rotary Club?"
"The DA’s investigators started handing out search warrants like candy on Halloween."
"After the Dirty Dozen patched over to become the first Hells Angels charter in Arizona, the stage was set. In August 1997, Sonny requested a transfer to the Cave Creek charter. It was a formality. Nobody was going to debate the issue. The move was part of Sonny’s settling into a different role within the club. He became more of a figurehead than an active leader. He wasn’t the guy that the media went to for comments. I was. He wasn’t running the West Coast Officers’ Meeting. I was. By 1998, I was at the height of my power as a Hells Angels leader."
"George Christie served as a Marine reservist and, after completing his service, became an electrician and communications troubleshooter for the Department of Defense. He prospected for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in 1975, becoming a full-patch member in 1976, eventually founding the Ventura charter and serving as its president for more than thirty years. He also served as the club’s international spokesman for more than two decades. He lives in Ojai, California."
- Works that may be of interest to you:
Mit Liv av Jørn Jønke Nielsen
Outlaw Riding Through the Storm
The Last American Outlaw - documentary film by Nick Mead
Mafia Democracy: How Our Republic Became a Mob Racket by Michael Franzese
Once Christie ascended to the presidency of 81, his 'regular' D.O.D. job ended. Police kept tabs on 81 members for identification purposes with traffic stops "They’d write down your name, nickname, license plate, club affiliation, and identifying features—such as distinctive patches on your cut or tattoos. The notes were kept on three-by-five index cards in pen. They would be copied and used as mini-files all street cops could carry and reference. It gave local law enforcement a way to tell at a glance who was riding where. If I moved the charter from Glendale to Ventura, I’d screw up the system." Merging other clubs who 'patch over' to 81, and reestablishing the charter to Ventura, gave its members a sort of fresh start.
"I’m biased, but I don’t believe the word justice gets mentioned much, if at all, inside the offices of the DEA, ATF, FBI, or any other alphabet agency. In my experience, decency and fairness are much rarer qualities within law enforcement than they are in “outlaw” motorcycle clubs. Law enforcement gets away with things outlaws would not tolerate other outlaws doing... The Hells Angels and the feds. It’s like the Hatfields and McCoys. The feds have an irrational hatred for the Angels. This isn’t law enforcement doing their job. It’s an ongoing vendetta. Bullies with badges are one thing, but the ATF is far more dangerous. They have a scary stop-at-nothing mentality. Some truly despicable, soulless people work for the ATF." -George Christie
- Additional Excerpts:
"The feds are another matter. Sometimes, especially at the federal level, agents and prosecutors blur the line between outlaw and cop. They are driven individuals who are often more about the win than they are about any sense of right and wrong."
"My grandparents on both sides had changed their names. Vlassopoulos became Blacy. Chrispikos became Christie. If it’s Us, why change your name unless you were ashamed? I also knew early on that people in town looked down their noses at Greeks. We weren’t respectable society."
"The outlaw world promised what we all felt was real freedom. It was authentic, the exact opposite of the lockstep, mindless conformity of Arrow shirt ads, freshly mown lawns and polite Sunday-afternoon backyard cookouts. By the early seventies, all of that seemed plastic and phony. I knew there would be consequences for living against the grain, just as every outlaw does. But to me, the price was well worth it."
"I didn’t realize it right then as I bundled up the M14, climbed down from the roof, and quietly drove away. But that decision set the tone for my leadership and my role in the Hells Angels going forward. Sonny was the figurehead. Irish was the brawler. Animal was the crazy one."
"What are we, a Rotary Club?"
"The DA’s investigators started handing out search warrants like candy on Halloween."
"After the Dirty Dozen patched over to become the first Hells Angels charter in Arizona, the stage was set. In August 1997, Sonny requested a transfer to the Cave Creek charter. It was a formality. Nobody was going to debate the issue. The move was part of Sonny’s settling into a different role within the club. He became more of a figurehead than an active leader. He wasn’t the guy that the media went to for comments. I was. He wasn’t running the West Coast Officers’ Meeting. I was. By 1998, I was at the height of my power as a Hells Angels leader."
"George Christie served as a Marine reservist and, after completing his service, became an electrician and communications troubleshooter for the Department of Defense. He prospected for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in 1975, becoming a full-patch member in 1976, eventually founding the Ventura charter and serving as its president for more than thirty years. He also served as the club’s international spokesman for more than two decades. He lives in Ojai, California."
- Works that may be of interest to you:
Mit Liv av Jørn Jønke Nielsen
Outlaw Riding Through the Storm
The Last American Outlaw - documentary film by Nick Mead
Mafia Democracy: How Our Republic Became a Mob Racket by Michael Franzese
August 14, 2024
This is one of those memoirs that highlights how all memoirs are essentially the truth of one person written to tell a story without necessarily being the 'truth' (although what is the truth really?).
He is eloquent, he does have moments of great sociology where he comments on culture as an insider, he has been in some interesting places and doing out of the norm things, he has a wonderful eye for describing people in 4D and he does have a fondness for bikes and wild lifestyle.
That said, he does tell on himself a lot.
He underplays his criminal activities (like all the times he was like 'I'm not a murderer but I can kill for a cause' and describes his attempted murders), he takes little to no personal responsibility about his personal lives (yes, his wife might not have been a peach and seemed to be a bit narcissistic but despite all her flaws he wasn't a great husband what with disappearing for days on end- not to absolve her at all, just would have appreciated a bit of a 'yeah, I contributed to this' earlier than when he did finally do it with a bit of a 'but really she drove me to it'), and he seems to do a lot of 'but the police are worse than us so we are good guys' even though that is a bit of a false equivalency since out of two groups one can be worse without negating the 'bad' of the other.
Even so, I enjoyed his writing style and reading about his escapades. I'd recommend reading this as a wonderful intro to biker mentality and lifestyle but would also recommend keeping in mind that as with all memoirs everything is slanted and through the prism of one person.
He is eloquent, he does have moments of great sociology where he comments on culture as an insider, he has been in some interesting places and doing out of the norm things, he has a wonderful eye for describing people in 4D and he does have a fondness for bikes and wild lifestyle.
That said, he does tell on himself a lot.
He underplays his criminal activities (like all the times he was like 'I'm not a murderer but I can kill for a cause' and describes his attempted murders), he takes little to no personal responsibility about his personal lives (yes, his wife might not have been a peach and seemed to be a bit narcissistic but despite all her flaws he wasn't a great husband what with disappearing for days on end- not to absolve her at all, just would have appreciated a bit of a 'yeah, I contributed to this' earlier than when he did finally do it with a bit of a 'but really she drove me to it'), and he seems to do a lot of 'but the police are worse than us so we are good guys' even though that is a bit of a false equivalency since out of two groups one can be worse without negating the 'bad' of the other.
Even so, I enjoyed his writing style and reading about his escapades. I'd recommend reading this as a wonderful intro to biker mentality and lifestyle but would also recommend keeping in mind that as with all memoirs everything is slanted and through the prism of one person.
October 16, 2023
Sitting on shelf at Half Price bookstore gathering dust I took a chance on reading this tale of how a former Marine gave up a comfortable job with the Department of Defense and swore allegiance to the Hells Angels. In this revealing, hard-hitting memoir, recounts George Christie his life as an outlaw biker with the world’s most infamous motorcycle club.
This book elicited a variety of emotions in me. I had a complete curiosity for the truth behind Hell's Angels, as I have heard a variety of spins on the notorious biker gang and wondered where the truth actually falls. So, getting a glimpse into their lifestyle was interesting to me and scratched that "itch" to some extent, so to speak. And, in that vein, it is a very quick read with lots of interesting anecdotes that were quite eye opening This book is about the glorification of a lifestyle that seems like a complete waste. Supposedly, it is all about not conforming. Naturally, the author is never really to blame for anything, it is always the Feds, ATF, police, or other outlaws. There actually isn't any hint of regret or remorse for any of the thug-ish behaviors...it is more lauded as something akin to the "glory days" with a wistful tone of times gone by. This was disappointing to me as it made Mr. Christie someone, I had trouble sympathizing with, and for me, that made it less of an enjoyable read. The only enjoyable thing for me would have been to jump on one of their "choppers" and ride into the sunset.
This book elicited a variety of emotions in me. I had a complete curiosity for the truth behind Hell's Angels, as I have heard a variety of spins on the notorious biker gang and wondered where the truth actually falls. So, getting a glimpse into their lifestyle was interesting to me and scratched that "itch" to some extent, so to speak. And, in that vein, it is a very quick read with lots of interesting anecdotes that were quite eye opening This book is about the glorification of a lifestyle that seems like a complete waste. Supposedly, it is all about not conforming. Naturally, the author is never really to blame for anything, it is always the Feds, ATF, police, or other outlaws. There actually isn't any hint of regret or remorse for any of the thug-ish behaviors...it is more lauded as something akin to the "glory days" with a wistful tone of times gone by. This was disappointing to me as it made Mr. Christie someone, I had trouble sympathizing with, and for me, that made it less of an enjoyable read. The only enjoyable thing for me would have been to jump on one of their "choppers" and ride into the sunset.
April 22, 2023
Sometimes I step into a new subject based on past reading and that's the case with this book. The Hells Angels aren't a subject that I was familiar with and this is a good reading for someone to get an idea of what they could have been and what they actually were.
George is more of an idealist with a different view of what being with the group meant, much like some of the gang leaders of any type, it is always that others have a different vision and cause things to go haywire.
The one thing that he does have, is a lack of personal responsibility, especially when it comes to his home life and personal relationships. The way he talks about his first wife and relationship with his first son are typical and yet still annoying because he can 'seem' to understand so much about the gang culture and their relationships. It does show what his true love and focus is.
This is a good read to get some understanding of biker gangs and culture especially in the wildest days of the 70s and 80s.
George is more of an idealist with a different view of what being with the group meant, much like some of the gang leaders of any type, it is always that others have a different vision and cause things to go haywire.
The one thing that he does have, is a lack of personal responsibility, especially when it comes to his home life and personal relationships. The way he talks about his first wife and relationship with his first son are typical and yet still annoying because he can 'seem' to understand so much about the gang culture and their relationships. It does show what his true love and focus is.
This is a good read to get some understanding of biker gangs and culture especially in the wildest days of the 70s and 80s.
August 19, 2020
Purchase Exile on Front Street here for just $10!
George Christie was president of the notorious Ventura charter of the Hells Angels for three decades. In Exile on Front Street he takes us on an action-packed ride through his years as a Hells Angel, from the bloody brawl that started the war with the Mongols to learning that a contract had been taken out on him by the head of the Outlaws. He describes the brotherhood and the betrayals, being targeted by the Feds and his stretches in prison.
Paul - The Book Grocer
George Christie was president of the notorious Ventura charter of the Hells Angels for three decades. In Exile on Front Street he takes us on an action-packed ride through his years as a Hells Angel, from the bloody brawl that started the war with the Mongols to learning that a contract had been taken out on him by the head of the Outlaws. He describes the brotherhood and the betrayals, being targeted by the Feds and his stretches in prison.
Paul - The Book Grocer
June 14, 2018
I enjoyed the Outlaw Chronicles on History Channel and this is the autobiography of George Christie the former West Coast President of the Hells Angels. A good description of the outlaw lifestyle and the various wars that the Angels had with the Outlaws, Mongols etc. during the time he was with the gang. It also tells of his trials and tribulations with the Angels and Sonny Barger which led to him quitting the gang and then being considered persona no grata. Good read.
September 5, 2020
I am still in shock about Geo being out bad , Super good book! I am glad everything is going well for You Geo , Book is a must read I hope You do more books, I met Geo years ago He is a very friendly guy,He did alot for the Club and to have them act like this, Their loss , But back to the book very very good read!! But what else would You expect from Mr Christie anyway, I have read it 3 times
November 19, 2016
Zallar
It's always a pleasure to read a biography, to have the bullshit dispelled by the individual and not the opinions of whomever.
Enjoyable read of an interesting "individual ".
It's always a pleasure to read a biography, to have the bullshit dispelled by the individual and not the opinions of whomever.
Enjoyable read of an interesting "individual ".
December 25, 2017
Everyone has a story to tell, it's just who decides to put their story to paper. George did that. It's a good look into what goes on in the "Outlaw" world.
It's the story of one mans life, fron the sands of the southern California beaches and surfer life to the wild ride of the Outlaw world.
It's the story of one mans life, fron the sands of the southern California beaches and surfer life to the wild ride of the Outlaw world.
April 29, 2018
Interesting difference between Christie's account and Barger's. Neither is a good guy, though both just barely touched the surface related to their criminal activity, though Christie was more up front about it for sure.
June 27, 2018
Although not a bad book, I do have to say that there are no real revelations here. that said I'm not really into the whole outlaw culture out bikes and had no idea who the author was. What grace my attention was the title.
November 21, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. I did not finish it. It was difficult to reconcile the author’s memory of himself and his actions, presented as a good guy doing mostly ok things and the reality of what he was describing.
Would not recommend.
Would not recommend.
September 4, 2022
Christie does a great job of going through his trials as a member and Chapter President of a Hells Angels chapter. Not only covering his time in the club but how the club fits into and becomes part of his whole life. From the perspective of a true outlaw
May 11, 2017
Really good insight of the HA
I enjoyed reading every bit of this book from the time he started to where he gave up his patch!
I enjoyed reading every bit of this book from the time he started to where he gave up his patch!
May 18, 2017
Interesting perspective of an outlaw
October 12, 2017
I have been interested in the inside politics and life of the HA since reading Sonny Barger's autobiography. This book written by George Christie tells the other side of the story
Great read
Great read
January 1, 2018
Amazing!!!
July 12, 2018
Seems to be to nice a bloke to be a hells angel and to try and go against sonny barger well haha no chance
October 2, 2018
Quick audio book
September 17, 2018
An interesting account of life on the fringe of society and particularly how law enforcement deals with this 1% of motorcycle riders. Those that don't comform.
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