Street Justice

by Chuck Zito, Joe Layden, Sean Penn (Foreword)

From the streets of Brooklyn to the set of Oz. From Hells Angel to celebrity bodyguard. The revealing autobiography of an American man.

Chuck Zito comes by his reputation honestly as one of the toughest, most uncompromising men ever to sit astride a Harley. Now, with tales both hilarious and chilling, violent and truthful, Zito tell his life story in his own words.

From growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn and the Bronx, where fighting was a way of life, to becoming president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels, the wild and crazy life of protecting some of the world's biggest celebrities, Zito might be seen as a latter-day outlaw, the last of a dying breed of men. But throughout his tempestuous days, one thing defined him: his unfailing sense of justice, of what's really right and what's really wrong. That's how Zito found himself facing his biggest challenge: refusing to cooperate with a federal investigation into his brothers, the Hells Angels, and in the process losing the very thing he cherished most-his freedom.

Zito's astonishing recovery from this experience, and the unique kind of stardom he forged based on hard work and sheer will, is a testament to his courage, his ambition, and his indomitable heart-a testament now recorded unflinchingly in Street Justice .

Genres: Biography, True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2002

About the author

Chuck Zito is an actor, stuntman, martial artist, and former Hell's Angel.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Samuel]

I guess I was more interested on his time on OZ than his life story.. and we got 1-2 pages about that.

I love that his solution to basically any problem is a punch to the face lmao

[Will Dennis]

Best book I've read in a while

Just finished reading this cover to cover. I don't normally write book reviews, but this one was worthy of my time. Gripping story about Chuck's life from birth until present (at least as of the time of the publishing), and there was hardly a dull moment. Without giving anything away, if you're interested in Chuck, the Hell's Angels, or just entertaining stories from the street in general, I can't recommend this one highly enough.

[Eddie]

This is one of the best books I have read in a while. Autobiography of a Chuck Zito, Hells Angel, bodyguard, former boxer and all around rough neck. Tales of going to prison, growing up in a rough neighborhood and beating up Jean-Claude Van Damme.

[Jordan Bradford]

Chuck Zito is who he is, and I found this to be one of the best autobiographies I've read in sometime, simply because he doesn't try and color his life or actions, He just gives a straightforward and highly interesting account of his life. Highly reccomended.

[Desiree Manning]

If you like true life crime, motorcycles, hardships, and sacrifices this book is for you! I would not have thought this book was as good as it was by the cover.

[Sherri Miller]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. He tells it like it is regardless and it made for a really good read

[Joshua Welch]

I saw Chuck this past October at Chiller Theater in New Jersey. He had a table set up not far from a table set up by the Hells Angels, that will definitely get folks to notice you. I recognized him from Sons of Anarchy, and from Oz but seeing how he walked through the place like he owned it was really what caught my attention. I managed to try to make small talk with him when I was heading out to pick up another guest for the convention, and he wasn’t having it. So when I noticed he had a book on his table, I knew that would by my only opportunity to get to know Chuck Zito. Chuck has lived a life that you’d expect to see on screen. From boxing, to the Hells Angels, to body guard, to prison, to Hollywood nonstop new opportunities and fresh starts. It was a wild and enjoyable ride that shows you sometimes characters on a show, aren’t too far off from characters you may pass in the halls of a hotel in Jersey.

[Dawn]

Hell’s Angel, stunt man, actor, body guard, felon, former boxer and world class macho (insert inappropriate insult here). He’s nothing more than a thug who tries to defend his actions as defense of his “code of street justice.” I was raised learning how to fight, defend my friends and family, but I certainly don’t go around knocking people out if I’m called a bitch, motherf*cker, or looked at the wrong way. That’s just being an arse.

[J L]

Chuck wrote a great book. He has a funny stories and seems to be a man of honor. It was refreshing to read about a biker who is not a drug addict or an alcoholic. Really he is just addicted to combat. Which made him a good body guard and Hell's Angel. I recommend this book. It was well written and his story is very funny and unique.

[Kate Carter]

Everything you want to know about Chuck Zito, and interesting detail about the outlaw motorcycle days. Ziti’s voice comes through the narrative, which makes it feel authentic. I don’t agree with his perspective on “street justice”, but overall it was entertaining.

[Eric Benjamin]

Entertaining book and fun to read. Chuck Zito has led an incredible life.

[Angie Gilbert]

DNF. The early story through childhood was good, authentic, and enjoyable to read. ...and then I didn't find the rest of the book as enjoyable.

[Cwn_annwn_13]

Chuck Zito is a long time Hells Angel, bodyguard to celebrities and an actor who plays tough guy roles. The content in this is more or less Zito talking about his love of motorcycles, boxing, martial arts, life in the Hells Angels, his work as a bodyguard to various celebrities and his stint in prison, including a humorous recollection of being detained in a Japanese prison while awaiting extradition to face charges back in the states. Besides that LOTS of recollections of street and bar fights.

Zito is a bit annoying because on one hand he name drops all the high end celebrities he rubs elbows with and obviously has a huge ego but yet he constantly tries to drive home how he is such a humble, blue collar, down to earth guy. Overall not a great read or anything but it was entertaining enough I suppose.

[Zach Murphy]

This is a very interesting book. After all, violence is an interesting subject. As the title suggests, Mr. Zito has dispensed plenty of street justice. He is a Hell's Angel and a martial-arts expert. I'd give the book five stars, but I took one off becasue I don't find Mr. Zito to be likable. I also took off a star for two too many nipples in the cover photo. I'd call him a boastful thug, but I wouldn't want to give him a reason to come after me.

[TCPils]

Chuck Zito - He beats people up.
Okay, there's more to his story than that, but in essence that's what he does. He beats people up. The book chronicles his life from a child in Brooklyn to his rise in the ranks of the Hell's Angels and his career as a bodyguard for movie stars. Along the way he beats people up.

[Jason]

This was a quick and easy read-and endlessly fascinating. Mr. Zito has lead a varied, interesting and exciting life (at times too exciting). He's a no bullshit kind of guy who is who he is and makes no apologies (nor should he). As one of my favorite characters from HBO's Oz, I was thrilled to get to know this man a little better, and I'm glad I read his memoir.

[Ann]

I enjoyed his story, but not necessarily his ego.

[Jeremy Burtt]

Not many that embody that old school sense of honor that he captured.

[Jay]

Wonderful autobiography. If you like Chuck Zito, or enjoy reading about motorcycles, or motorcycle clubs, or the hells angels, you'll really enjoy this book.

[Dawn Craig]

I met Chuck at a horror convention in New Jersey in October, so I thought I'd grab his book. Great guy and so far the book is good too.

[Stephan]

Awesome read. Pick it up.

[Samuel Vogt]

Not bad. The machismo factor really appealed to my inner tough guy.

[Zachary Tedesco]

Badass.