Freedom: Credos from the Road

by Ralph Barger

There are few men who are as quintessentially American as Sonny Barger. He is patriotic—a veteran who loves his country. He is independent—choosing his own path on his motorcycle, living life on his own terms. He is outspoken—he has boldly criticized injustices in American law and society despite the backlash this has evoked from the establishment. Yet the element that he finds most important, most sacred, most American, is freedom.

In Freedom, Sonny articulates many of the principles he employs in his own life. Whether he is regarded as a leader, a rebel, a revolutionary, a criminal, or a soldier, Sonny's outlook has been influenced not just by school but by the military, prison, and his experiences riding with the world's most notorious motorcycle club. It was on these various journeys that he learned the lessons that are most important in his life and the qualities he respects when he sees them in others:

Independence
Customize Yourself; Originals Don't Come Off an Assembly Line

Toughness
Temper the Steel to Forge a Strong Blade

Fairness
Treat Me Good, I'll Treat You Better; Treat Me Bad, I'll Treat You Worse

Presented in the form of fifty credos, this book gives Sonny Barger's perspective on how to live a life that embodies the most fundamental of American virtues: freedom.

Genres: Memoir, Philosophy

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Ralph Hubert "Sonny" Barger (born October 8, 1938) is a founding member (1957) of the Oakland, California, U.S. chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. He is also the author of five books - Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club (2000), Dead in 5 Heartbeats (2004), Freedom: Credos from the Road (2005), 6 Chambers, 1 Bullet (2006), and Let's Ride: Sonny Barger's Guide to Motorcycling (2010) - and editor of the book Ridin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories (2003).


Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_B...

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice from someone who has traveled a long and hard road. You don't have to agree with the way Ralph Barger lived his life; the lessons in this book are better than what you will find in most management books. I have found that you can often learn more from someone who you do not agree with; you often have to look closer at what you profess to believe when this is the case.

[Amie Kipfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good eye opener

This was a great read as I try to find myself once more. I really grasped the view as it helps me to look inside myself and how I wish to proceed and learn.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view of life through the eyes of notorious Hell's Angel, Sonny Barger. It takes a hard look at the unwritten rules of the street.

[Rich Dammkoehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

You need to read this book. Its full of wonderful insights about life and freedom.

[Eric Plume · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this, a lot. Barger has a great deal of wisdom and experience to speak from, due to his life as a founding member of the Hells Angels and all the places that's taken him. He's also survived cancer, and done so longer than modern medical science can explain. The man is tough, and Freedom is among other things an attempt by him to explain how he got where he is to people who haven't lived his life.

It succeeds, more or less. Much of what he says resonates with me...but then again I'm a blue-collar guy who's had a few hairy times myself - MUCH less than Barger obviously, but enough to understand where his perspective comes from.

Somebody without said life experience wouldn't get much out of this book, though. In fact they'd likely be offended by it. Barger has a lot to say about tribalism, territory, good old-fashioned American values, etc. and considering the current opinions regarding such beliefs, most readers under twenty-five would want to throw their Kindles against the wall in a fit of pique.

If you already think somewhat the way Sonny Barger does, you'll find Freedom as comforting to read as a burger and a beer is to eat. If you don't, you'll likely be disgusted.

Those who fancy themselves open to new experiences definitely ought to give this a scan, though. If you can get past the occasional tough-guy talk and the limitations of an antiquated world-view, there is wisdom in these here pages.

[Joyce Vandermark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered sonny's book Ridin' High and he sent me this book as well, no cost to me. I found that incredibly kind and the book is a good fast read that really gives you an idea of what kind of man he is, how he got to be that way, and how he views life. Terrific book.

[Ted Zayka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sonny Barger may be one of the founders of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, and as such, may be discounted by many folks who prefer the credentials of a Rhodes scholar or country club member. When you start reading the book however, you are drawn into this man's philosophy, and his simple, honest, and mammalian approach to life, people and relationships.

There is something to be said for a man who has challenged life, made mistakes, and still comes out living to tell about it. It gives his story more validity. Sonny Barger is no exception. He tells us not only what we want to hear, or how our society would want us to act, but what he has learned along the rocky road he has chosen. He shares with us his mistakes and regrets as well as his successes and achievements.

Barger has such a stoic, spartan view of life that it becomes a refreshing change to the typical view of most modern Americans. His personal credo is: "you treat people the way you want to be treated until they treat you differently. When they treat you differently, you deal with them accordingly." This sentiment seems to be the basis for his whole personal view, and as you read his book, you begin to see how simply he sees and lives life. This simplicity is what makes it so alluring, however.

You probably wont agree with everything Barger says in his book, and most certainly you won't agree with how he's chosen to live his life. You will, however, be challenged by his personal philosophy of life, and just maybe, it will help you to see things from a different perspective.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny hard cover book caught my eye during my walks through the stacks of the New York Public Library. Freedom in bold grey letters reached out and grabbed my attention. I picked up this little black book, I thumbed through it, and was pleasantly surprised with it content. Freedom means a lot of things to different people. Freedom according to Sonny Barger peaked my interest.

The first thing you will like about this book is that it is straight to the point. Each chapter is less than three pages and Sonny uses them wisely. Sonny is biker, leader, book writer, Great American Bad ass, cancer survivor, and a friend who keeps it real from page one to page 212. He takes you to school about the term Freedom.

This is a book tell you how real men live. Good men and bad men. Sonny is truthful about who he is, his past and his present. He shares his thoughts on survival, learning to be yourself and being a man of that warrants respect in the type of world we live in today.

Freedom starts where you stand and with who you are right now. Free you mind and everything else follows is the basic message. Everything starts and ends with you.

This book is a quick read but you will want to read it twice. I plan to buy the book because I really liked what Sonny had to say and how he says it.

[Gina M Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this little book & the values Barger details are familiar from growing up in that type of world. I have to admit though it made me think of your daily bread kind of meditation or a weekly lesson or value to practice through the year.

Whatever your reason for reading it, each bite sized chunk of Barger wisdom is easy to digest & written in a very straight forward & blunt manner as has been Barger ' s style. I highly recommend this for all bikers of any ride or level as well as those curious about the biker lifestyle.

[Jerica Guidry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is all about life. basically an in your face way to tell you about life in a deal with it or dont kind if way. I think its something we all are aware of, but its told to you in a way that at most people would think is rude. The author did a great job in putting out there and way not so "beat around the bush". I personally like the in your face type of reading. All and all I found it to be a good read and I am glad I picked it up.

[Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. It was refreshing to read a book that talks so much about the basic principle that defines what it means to be an American. And that is Freedom. He also discusses things that he has learned throughout his life, most of which is common sense. But common sense is not so common anymore. Everyone should read this book who values what it means to be an American.

[Bill Wyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sonny has an "earthy" way of explaining life observations and experiences. I enjoyed the way he said some of the things throughout his book. You are encouraged to read it for yourself and enjoy the ride.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonny Barger has always told it like it is, honest and true. Good life lessons in a book that’s a quick and easy read. You don’t have to ride a bike or be in a club to appreciate the little gems of wisdom.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories here. I loved Sonny's point of view in many areas.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a little bit of wisdom from the man who lived and continues living and riding free.

[Lora Covrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find a lot of the general principles in this book refreshing. I think the world needs more personal freedom and accountability but I also know people cannot be trusted to always do the “right thing.” I understand why a guy like the author dislikes police and government but his opinions are those of a felon so take those with a grain of salt. Motorcycle riders are some of the most genuine people in today’s world so I respect the author on that level. The world would be better off taking some of his advice offered in this book. (some, not all) Inspiring read though.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights from a career outlaw. There's some good and some bad. Take what you can use and leave the rest. I think my main takeaway was to have a code and live by that code. Be authentic in a world that is filled with fakers.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Ready if you're into Bikes and the life

Sonny lived a interesting life, his thoughts and theories on life and how to live is worth reading.
It is a well done book of life.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I mean it's your standard run of the mill musing by a man who has done and seen it all. It's Sonny Barger's life story that gives weight to what he says. Aside from that you could do to pass this up.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

In truth, it probably says about as much about leadership as any MBA textbook.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing any of us haven't learned from lifes adventures--Sonny just took the time to put it into words.

Look up the road and keep the throttle open.

[Kile Antone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just good old fashion horse sense shared by a legend.