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One Percenter: The Legend of the Outlaw Bikers
There comes a time in every mans life where he has to decide whether to conform or break out. Ninety-nine percent of us choose to accept the constraints imposed by society. The rest become outlaws. And for this one percent--those who set their own standards, follow their own values, pursue their own esthetic--the outlaw motorcyclist community offers sanctuary. Motorcyclists have always been outlaws to some extent, just by choosing such a dangerous and flamboyant sport. But the one percenters live the outlaw life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. One The Legend of The Outlaw Bikers tells the story of this rebellion without a cause--other than freedom and living to the extreme. From the earliest days of the subculture--when World War II veterans began forming early motorcycle clubs--to modern times; this is the real-life account of the wild ones, who one-by-one made their own world.
- GenresNonfictionMotorcycle
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 10, 2012
Nothing to see here. Move along. Oh ok, there is some interesting things here,but it isn't anything you probably haven't read somewhere else already. It is more a telling of how it all started and how it just isn't like it once was. Nothing on what a real 1%er is or how they even live or become that way. Yes it does give the re=telling of how the name "1%er" came into play but anyone interested in this culture should already know it by now.
May 21, 2018
I read this book fairly quickly. It is an easy read and at times is very interesting. The historical sections that review the history of the outlaw, the various biker clubs, movies and pop culture and Harley Davidson are all very interesting.
There are several parts of this book that make it hard to give it above a two star ranking.
1. The pictures look like they are thirty to forty years old and the captions on the pictures don't even go along with the sections of the text where the pictures are inserted. Why couldn't newer and more relevant pictures be used?
2. The author circles back to several topics over and over and over again---such as movie reviews, comments about movie characters and plots, music and so on. About fifty if not more of the page count in this book could have been eliminated if the author didn't constantly repeat information.
3. The writer's contention that there are not any motorcycle "gangs" and that all motorcycle club bad behavior is the result of one of the member's rogue and individualistic behavior is ridiculous, not substantiated by facts and contradicted within the authors own book. Documentaries and books by Hell's Angels and other "club" members describe organized criminal activity by the club. The author describes activities by clubs such as burning down other clubs meeting places, destroying or damaging other biker's bikes, and fights and murders between clubs like they are nothing to be concerned about. And when Sonny Barger was found guilty of 12 out of 44 charges, the author cites that it was a waste of federal money---he was CONVICTED of 12 counts----so yes, clubs and individuals in the club, possibly at the behest of the club itself committed criminal acts---the very definition of a gang and far beyond a "we just like to get together and ride motorcycles" mentality.
4. It became very exhausting and insulting as a reader to be continually demeaned because of life choices such as working a regular job and having a family and living within society's norms. The author bemoans individuals regular jobs and contributions while neglecting the fact that he and his cronies couldn't live as outlaws without someone to inspect their bikes, issue licenses and insurance, provide food and shelter and other amenities to them and so on. Be an outlaw but at least acknowledge that you have the freedom to do so because others create the parameters in society and provide the services you need to do what you want.
5. The author constantly berates rich older men who buy and essentially saved the Harley Davidson motorcycle company without realizing that if it weren't for these buyers and riders, that Harley would have gone under and now be a thing of the past. He may not like that the Harley is no longer limited to outlaw biker ownership, but being to still buy a new Harley is infinitely better than having to ride old Harley or Honda Gold Wings instead. Give some credit to the people who allow you to live the life you want to live.
Is the historical icon of the outlaw biker becoming a thing of the past? Probably so---and in a world increasingly characterized by violence, hatred, crime, drugs and such, it may not be such a bad thing. Time to evolve. Being a leather-clad Harley rider lives somewhere in the heart and desire of most men and that is partly because of the iconic Outlaw biker, not in spite of it.
There are several parts of this book that make it hard to give it above a two star ranking.
1. The pictures look like they are thirty to forty years old and the captions on the pictures don't even go along with the sections of the text where the pictures are inserted. Why couldn't newer and more relevant pictures be used?
2. The author circles back to several topics over and over and over again---such as movie reviews, comments about movie characters and plots, music and so on. About fifty if not more of the page count in this book could have been eliminated if the author didn't constantly repeat information.
3. The writer's contention that there are not any motorcycle "gangs" and that all motorcycle club bad behavior is the result of one of the member's rogue and individualistic behavior is ridiculous, not substantiated by facts and contradicted within the authors own book. Documentaries and books by Hell's Angels and other "club" members describe organized criminal activity by the club. The author describes activities by clubs such as burning down other clubs meeting places, destroying or damaging other biker's bikes, and fights and murders between clubs like they are nothing to be concerned about. And when Sonny Barger was found guilty of 12 out of 44 charges, the author cites that it was a waste of federal money---he was CONVICTED of 12 counts----so yes, clubs and individuals in the club, possibly at the behest of the club itself committed criminal acts---the very definition of a gang and far beyond a "we just like to get together and ride motorcycles" mentality.
4. It became very exhausting and insulting as a reader to be continually demeaned because of life choices such as working a regular job and having a family and living within society's norms. The author bemoans individuals regular jobs and contributions while neglecting the fact that he and his cronies couldn't live as outlaws without someone to inspect their bikes, issue licenses and insurance, provide food and shelter and other amenities to them and so on. Be an outlaw but at least acknowledge that you have the freedom to do so because others create the parameters in society and provide the services you need to do what you want.
5. The author constantly berates rich older men who buy and essentially saved the Harley Davidson motorcycle company without realizing that if it weren't for these buyers and riders, that Harley would have gone under and now be a thing of the past. He may not like that the Harley is no longer limited to outlaw biker ownership, but being to still buy a new Harley is infinitely better than having to ride old Harley or Honda Gold Wings instead. Give some credit to the people who allow you to live the life you want to live.
Is the historical icon of the outlaw biker becoming a thing of the past? Probably so---and in a world increasingly characterized by violence, hatred, crime, drugs and such, it may not be such a bad thing. Time to evolve. Being a leather-clad Harley rider lives somewhere in the heart and desire of most men and that is partly because of the iconic Outlaw biker, not in spite of it.
May 16, 2026
"They only live to get Radical", Bodhi to Johnny Utah in Point Break (1991).
I now have read over a dozen books on the outlaw MC subject as I purchased several in 2017. I 'am now finally almost done with my almost decades long study with one last book to read. I feel I should have probably read this book first before I got into the subject. This particular novel is now 20 years old with much relevant information and necessary education to understand the spiritual element of the 1% Biker Club. The big 6 in particular are Hells Angels, Outlaws, Banditos, Pegans, Mongols and Vagos. I have read at least one book on every one of these crews.
Our author is trying to defend these particular organizations through history and popular culture as he picks and chooses his stories to defend this element of society. I remember seeing one of Indian Larry's last T.V appearances before his fatal fall (he attempted to rob a bank), I remember Jesse James being called out for infidelity back in 2010 to Sandra Bullock as a large media spectacle. He now has a child with a former adult film star (not judging). As a Ventura native; we are very familiar with the exploits of George Christie who is currently out bad from his prior chapter. The story I hear is they were caught trafficking and they all "ratted" on each other with christie being the fall guy. These are some of the people mentioned in this book. It is kind of entertaining to see where they fall into the next decade.
The reoccurring theme of this semi-persuasive novel is that RICO is a way to harass legitimate biker clubs, and we should let all MC's who identify with a 1% patch conduct themselves as they want. Well that's cool but the moment they begin to commit crimes in either public or private and become a menace to society then we are going to have a problem, articulating they will cause said harm. Sonny Barger's Oakland chapter virtually introduced organized drug trafficking to the west coast of the U.S. Yes I read his book and it was good. But drugs aren't cool, in my opinion and factually speaking; do damage. Don't do drugs kids!
He goes on to defend the H.A's actions during the Hollister riot, the Monterey rape incident and later Altamont concert murder of Meredith Baxter with supporting evidence and I was convinced for their innocence. There are other issues society has with the H. A's and other MC's known for their criminal enterprising. I will not defend the Mongols' Scott Erickson, The Outlaw's Taco Bowman or the Vago's Terry the Tramp. Furthermore, a Swastika is a hate symbol regardless how they view their ownership of and yes, The H. A's have Aryan roots.
So look, I appreciated this book and the history lesson that followed as it was very relevant. I disagree that Kerrie Droban is a legitimate source. I feel this book although now a little dated is a very good start and summary to who these people are and their surrounding culture. Frankly I don't feel you need to be a criminal or conduct yourself a certain way to enjoy riding. I want nothing to do with 1% MCs, and I love riding by myself!
I now have read over a dozen books on the outlaw MC subject as I purchased several in 2017. I 'am now finally almost done with my almost decades long study with one last book to read. I feel I should have probably read this book first before I got into the subject. This particular novel is now 20 years old with much relevant information and necessary education to understand the spiritual element of the 1% Biker Club. The big 6 in particular are Hells Angels, Outlaws, Banditos, Pegans, Mongols and Vagos. I have read at least one book on every one of these crews.
Our author is trying to defend these particular organizations through history and popular culture as he picks and chooses his stories to defend this element of society. I remember seeing one of Indian Larry's last T.V appearances before his fatal fall (he attempted to rob a bank), I remember Jesse James being called out for infidelity back in 2010 to Sandra Bullock as a large media spectacle. He now has a child with a former adult film star (not judging). As a Ventura native; we are very familiar with the exploits of George Christie who is currently out bad from his prior chapter. The story I hear is they were caught trafficking and they all "ratted" on each other with christie being the fall guy. These are some of the people mentioned in this book. It is kind of entertaining to see where they fall into the next decade.
The reoccurring theme of this semi-persuasive novel is that RICO is a way to harass legitimate biker clubs, and we should let all MC's who identify with a 1% patch conduct themselves as they want. Well that's cool but the moment they begin to commit crimes in either public or private and become a menace to society then we are going to have a problem, articulating they will cause said harm. Sonny Barger's Oakland chapter virtually introduced organized drug trafficking to the west coast of the U.S. Yes I read his book and it was good. But drugs aren't cool, in my opinion and factually speaking; do damage. Don't do drugs kids!
He goes on to defend the H.A's actions during the Hollister riot, the Monterey rape incident and later Altamont concert murder of Meredith Baxter with supporting evidence and I was convinced for their innocence. There are other issues society has with the H. A's and other MC's known for their criminal enterprising. I will not defend the Mongols' Scott Erickson, The Outlaw's Taco Bowman or the Vago's Terry the Tramp. Furthermore, a Swastika is a hate symbol regardless how they view their ownership of and yes, The H. A's have Aryan roots.
So look, I appreciated this book and the history lesson that followed as it was very relevant. I disagree that Kerrie Droban is a legitimate source. I feel this book although now a little dated is a very good start and summary to who these people are and their surrounding culture. Frankly I don't feel you need to be a criminal or conduct yourself a certain way to enjoy riding. I want nothing to do with 1% MCs, and I love riding by myself!
April 21, 2020
It is a great book if you are looking for a history of motorcycles and the slams on people that live to rude but are not a member of a 1% club. Very little information about the life of a 1%’er. The book is very well written and has amazing research done for it but if you are looking for a book about true outlaw biker life there is a few pages in the back of this book to point you in the desired directions.
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December 27, 2021This was informative, but I was looking for more insight into the why. It was reassuring that the author was a motorcycle enthusiast and covered a wide range of data, so I think I learned a bit more about the history of motorcycle companies than I did the actual inside workings of outlaw motorcycle clubs. Definitely a good starting point, though, for anyone wanting to dig a bit deeper into the topic.
January 20, 2020
Better than the book written by the undercover agents and contract informants but not much. Outdated and out of touch.
November 19, 2011
This book covers everything fro pirates, to biker films, to global warming.
Sadly about the only thing it doesn't do is give any real depth into the outlaw biker fraternity. If the author us right and the media have tried to vilify bikers, rather than step up with an objective look, the author glorifies them.
It gets three stars because despite that it's a really interesting read. Just managing expectations here :)
Sadly about the only thing it doesn't do is give any real depth into the outlaw biker fraternity. If the author us right and the media have tried to vilify bikers, rather than step up with an objective look, the author glorifies them.
It gets three stars because despite that it's a really interesting read. Just managing expectations here :)
February 8, 2013
Gives a great history on the development of the outlaw biker identity, but in places it became more of a biker movie review than a comprehensive account of outlaw motorcycle club culture.
Nevertheless, I still plan on building my own chopper.
Nevertheless, I still plan on building my own chopper.
February 19, 2008
Written by a Weasel. Beginning is pretty darn good.
January 12, 2010
Interesting book about freedom and people who changed society. It has a good history about motorcycle club history.
April 20, 2011
It was alright, but very predictable!!!
December 8, 2013
While I appreciate the work of this author at times this read was very slow.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews