UGLY: A Bikie’s Life

by Pauly Fenech, Phil "Ugly" Mawson, Jordan King-Lacroix

We were about to get into it when the other soldiers pulled us apart. I didn’t care about squaring off against a Major, I was going home.

I didn’t really even know what I was saying, I was just seeing red. ‘I’ll start my own army when I get home.’

And that’s exactly what I did.

Living by his own rules has always been the way of Phil ‘Ugly’ Mawson. A boxer, a soldier, a bikie, a killer, he has played many roles in his life. After a yearlong stint in Vietnam, he returned to Australia feeling let down by the military and society at large. Seeking brotherhood and belonging, he found what he was looking for when he founded one of the first Australian chapters of the Gypsy Jokers motorcycle club. In his own words, Ugly explores the ups and downs of a life lived on the fringe and spent chasing the freedom of the open road.

275 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Harvey Dempsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an interesting read, very raw, I could appreciate some parts, having ridden a bike for forty plus years, can't condone some of his decisions, guess you had to be there.

[Ione Berkelmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, raw and honest.

[graz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got up to the Vietnam component and couldn't go any further - came across many Vietnam vets in my time and none have told stories like this one. Don't waste your money!

[Mark Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and well worth the time.

[Ali Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to / needed to read something different,and this was that. Extremely interesting to learn about the bikie culture,mate ship, and other peoples lives