5 comments about Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club.

1. I just finished the book. It captured my attention from the start and I didn't want to put the book down and so I read straight through it in a short amount of time. It was an interesting look inside the world of the Hell's Angels from the perspective of Mr. Barger. There are numerous stories of the adventures of the motorcycle club and descriptions and photos of a lot the members. It gives you the feel of what it means to belong to a tight-knit brotherhood. It's a club that has the guts to stand up to the world and take their freedom in full measure.



2. I saw a special on the Hell's Angels on the Discovery Channel and decided I needed to read this book. It is a well written book, good story telling ability demonstrated by Sonny, and I enjoyed it. I am not a fast reader, but it only took me 2 days to read it all, and I was entertained. I don't know if I believe 100% of what he says, but it does give a good history into the club, and the man who started the most famous (INfamous?) motorcycle club in the world. I reccomend it without a doubt!!



3. Well written history of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. Some amazing insights into the personal and biker (Though I am sure he thinks they are the same) life of Sonny Barger. Quite a cast of characters of the Angels back in the day.



4. Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger And the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. Pretty good book, and in-depth, Nevermind Watching poseurs such as Easy Rider and Hunter S Thompson. You want the real thing I recommend reading This book, and for movies, See Hell's Angels 69 Which Has sonny in it. this book tells it all. Sonny doesn't sugarcoat no matter how much you might disagree with the behavior. In your face. Highly Recommend it to any reader.



5. Great Book !!! I give it a five star. I couldn't put it down. Thanks Sonny!

5 comments about The Mouse and the Motorcycle.

1. I received the book in less than 4 days. They book was brand new. With all the school bugets being cut, my son's teacher didn't have enough books for all the kids for the assigned reading. So I got my son the book to use and we will be donating it to the school. He's almost done with it. He seems to love the book!



2. My wife has been teaching our boy, 6 years old, to
   read and write (but mostly to read) Spanish, which
   is her first language. It is tough to keep a native
   language alive in an English-dominant environment,
   and it takes desire and perseverance. They have a
   Spanish study session of about an hour or so every
   weekday in the afternoon at home. For part of the
   time, he reads out loud from books in Spanish for
   little children (pre-school), and for another
   part--and at bedtime--she reads to him from
   more advanced texts. She has tried Harry Potter
   in Spanish, but he doesn't get into that just
   yet. However, the Spanish translation of The
   Mouse and the Motorcycle was a real hit. My
   boy didn't want her to stop reading, because
   of course at the end of each chapter there is
   a "cliffhanger" situation still to be resolved.
   This book has engaged the interest of our son,
   and played an important role in his development
   of his Spanish language literacy. I highly
   recommend this title.



3. I remember reading these books when I was a kid. I bought them for my grandson to enjoy as well. He likes them and is enjoying them, as I suspected he would. I reccomend these adventures for every child to read. Its good clean fun. The price is right too, unlike some of the trendy books.



4. I'm showing my son how reviews on Amazon work, and he was very excited to comment on this book:
   
   "It's good for a person of any age, and it is very imaginative. It's fun and funny."



5. Ralph to the rescue!In the book Beveey cleary creates a lovable mouse to save the day for Keith. This crazy mouse rides Keith's motorcycle all around the hotel and right into trouble. Believe it or not Keith is a little boy who becomes friends with the mouse. The book had lots of excitement and lots of adventure. ~N
   
   I give this book 3 stars. This book is about a mouse named Ralph who gets a motorcycle from a boy named Keith. But then he drives into something all the same color. He did not know where he was going and he ends up in the in the basement he must ditch the motorcycle. Then Keith gets sick and Ralph must find a pill to save Keith. Keith asks Ralph to come home with him. I thought the story could have used more than one mouse as a main character but it was still a fun read. ~Mad Dad
   
   I liked the book Mouse and the Motorcycle because it was funny. I liked the part when the maid was singing in front of the mirror it had me laughing. The maid also had a secret crush on the bus boy. My favorite part was when Ralph got the aspirin tablet to Keith and saved the day. I gave this book 5 stars. ~Stardust
   
   Beverly Cleary has done it again with another great book for me to read. I would recomend this book to anyone because it is funny. When Ralph went wh-e-e wh-e-e that moved the ambulance and phpbbbb that moved the motorcycle but I can't tell you any more of the book you have to read the book and find out your self. ~Ray
   
   Mouse and the Motorcycle is a great book for children of all ages. It has some funny parts and some sad parts in it. My favorite part is when Ralph finds an asprin. Mouse and the Motorcycle is about a boy that meets a mouse and he finds out that he can talk. I think this is a great book. ~Arnold Snortzagnator

5 comments about Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques.

1. There's a lot of good information in this book. There's also a lot of technical information that the author claims is important to know, but I don't necessarily agree. However, any rider with any kind of experience - from newbie to highly experienced, can pick some really good tips that will make their ride safer and more enjoyable.



2. This item arrived in perfect order as decribed but did take a while, otherwise all good.



3. I have over 40 years of motorcycle riding experience. As a teenager I rode the rural roads and city streets of California. As a young man I moved to Alaska riding city streets and rural roads.
   Total Control by Lee Parks explains many aspects of riding techniques from the motorcycle to the road.
   Total Control has helped me understand my riding technique and what I am doing right. It also helps me understand week points of my riding technique and how to correct it.
   If you want real knowledge about riding your performance bike........get the book.



4. Lee's book is excellent for anyone either just beginning to ride a bike or with years of experience who wants to improve their skills and style or just understand more about how it all works.
   
   It is very clearly written with just enough humor to keep it light and interesting; it takes you step by step through all the areas you need to know about in a progressive and logical manner, each chapter building from the last.
   
   Each section also contains real world exercises that you can practice and perform on an ongoing basis to improve and maintain your skills.
   
   I recommend this book to ANYONE who has, or is thinking of getting a motorcycle.



5. I loved riding techniques described in this book.
   
   I recommend reading a chapter or two and then take the motorcycle and test the lessons on the road or track.
   
   These lessons will make you a more efficient and safe pilot, especially those that are not intuitive and must be learned through reading.
   
   It's a good book choice.

5 comments about The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance.

1. If you're looking for your first book on Motorcycle Maintenance - grab this one. I've referred to mine often and it has definitly paid for itself within a few months.



2. I bought this book for my boyfriend who just bought a motorcycle. He said so far it has been very useful and it reads pretty easily and clearly, though he said the technical parts take some extra concentration. I'd guess you would have to be slightly familiar with automotive mechanics for this book to be the most useful. Still 5 stars though because it provides a lot of helpful information to a wide audience.



3. This book isn't going to turn you into a master motorcycle mechanic. You want that, go to school for it. That said, this book is a must have if you want to do your own maintenance work on your motorcycle thus saving you money from not having to pay labor to a repair shop. Pair this book with the maintenance manual for your specific motorcycle and you're in business. The only thing I was kinda comfortable doing was changing my oil. After reading this book I've gained confidence to do so much more. I realized my belt was too tight so I was able to remove the back wheel, adjust my belt put the back wheel back on, make sure it was level, change brake pads and brake fluid, replace my front pulley, change radiator fluid, take apart the front end to install risers and re-run all the wires to the handlebars, etc. There's not much I'm not comfortable doing. I credit this book to giving me the confidence to do the work myself and save cash. Now my motorcycle is customized by me and maintained by me making it truly "my ride."



4. clearly written, the author gives a great big-picture view of how different motorcycle systems work, which system your bike probably uses, and how to maintain or tweak them. i feel much more confident with my knowledge of how my bike works and how to work on my bike myself. he details work enough to let readers have an idea of what they may be getting into with any particular job so they know whether or not they're up to it or if it's something that should be taken in (to the shop) for. this book has already saved me lots of money and given me a better understanding of my bike -- i'd recommend it to anyone on two wheels.



5. I didn't know if it was going to be any good. i read the reviews and decided to get it. I'm very happy i did. There's a lot to take in but it's all good stuff to know when it comes to knowing more about your motorcycle.

5 comments about Under and Alone: The True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America's Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

1. the book was brilliant from the first page, great reading. It has now been read by 6 people and counting. Thanks so much for sending it so quickly............alice



2. This book is a page-turner. Lots of cool pics too. The book is so engaging you feel like you're actually in the Monguls. Not that I would want to be.



3. I usually have a hard time staying interested in a book, but that was not a problem with this one. I found the hours flew by as I read about how Bill Queen managed to keep himself from being found out by the Mongols. This was a great read.



4. COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN, READ IT IN 1 DAY. GAVE IT TO MY WIFE, SHE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE, THEN SHE GAVE IT TO MY MOTHER IN LAW-GIUS WHAT SAME THING



5. somehow I ended up with two of them but that's just fine will give one away
   the books where in perfect condition.

5 comments about Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library).

1. Great Seller. The book belonged to a collection of reprinted books in hard cover that I did not expect. The jacket had a list of many others in the collection; wonderful find!



2. I read Hell's Angel by Ralph "Sonny" Barger before reading this one. Mr. Barger had a very low opinion of H.S. Thompson as a person from what he observed of him from hanging out with his motorcycle chapter and what he had to say about this book was, "it was junk, there was a lot of writers exaggeration along with a writer's dream-and-drug-induced commentary."I was almost put off from reading Mr. Thompson's book, but I'm glad I did. It's not so much of a documentary of the HAMC, which he used as backdrop to display his intelligence style of humor. He reminds me a lot of the writings of Thomas Carlyle. It's a very witty book.



3. And I do. Years ago, I read most all of Hunter Thompson's books, but I missed this one. I always intended to get around to it but it always got put on the back-burner.
   
   Well, having recently been a fan of the FX TV show Sons of Anarchy, and after finding this book in the garage after a cleaning frenzy, I decided it was time.
   
   On the good side -I found myself cracking up every few pages. This book is not nearly as laugh-out-loud as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, or Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, but it's still got its moments. There are also horrifying moments to be sure, but he manages to slip in an observation or a description that is vintage Thompson.
   
   I found the book very interesting, and he not only talks about the Hell's Angels from the time he was with them (1965-66), but he educates us about the history of that group and other biker gangs. They essentially started when WWll vets returned home, and Hunter goes on to explain the origin of the 1% ers - the outlaw motorcyclists that are at odds with the AMA (the American Motorcycle Association.)
   
   I have read some criticism that Hunter mythologizes this group as heroes, and I certainly didn't get that impression from this book. Thompson does humanize many of the bikers with nicknames straight out of Bad Guy central casting, but I never saw this as his being reverential to them. In fact, especially in the later chapters, he goes on to explain why he feels they are the "losers" in society, banded together with an allegiance only to each other and with the knowledge that they live in the here and now because their future is so unknowable and bleak.
   
   Thompson also does a good job of showing how the media is more to blame for the group's barbarian image, than their actual exploits. Mind you, Thompson certain details examples of violence and savagery that would scare anyone and earn them their reputation - but the media's exaggeration of some of the more well-known events only served to make them famous. They became every decent citizens scary boogeymen, and they achieved a certain cachet or prestige just because of that.
   
   So is the book dated? In some ways, it is. This is certainly not 1965, and MC gangs like the Hell's Angels don't have the press or attention they used to get. Yet, I still found the book so interesting, and Thompson has a way of describing the type of marginalized personality that gravitates to this type of lifestyle in a way that's relevant today.



4. Hunter S. Thompson is a putz! And thats putting it lightly. HST was a hang-around with the Angels for a short time and decided he would cast a light on the underground world of the HAMC. If you want to read something you'll actually get your money out of try "The life and times of a Hells Angel" by the Godfather of motorcycles himself Ralph "Sonny" Barger!!! At least in Sonny's book you don't get just a taste, but a mouth-full of what the HAMC is all about. I am personally begging you all not to waste your money on this book that's not even worthy of wiping your backside with!



5. My review might be slightly bias because I'm not a huge fan of the author. I can't "get into" his style of writing. I purchased this book and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and was unable to finish either book. The first time I have ever broken my "always finish the book" rule. I felt, in some cases, he was too wordy and that it didn't add to the mental picture I was creating in my head as I read. I would definitely preview this work before purchasing to make sure that you like his style.

1 comments about Maximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike.

1. Greetings,
   
   I have found this book to be of great value to riders of all ages and skill levels.
   This is simply laid out with great illustrations. Some, more experiences riders may have to forage through the information to glean new ideas, but there is enough there for them as well, and it never hurts to practice old skills.
   
   New or returning riders will find lots to learn and practice. This is loaded with good illustrations and good step-by-step instructions on how to proceed.
   
   The chapters have a strong and common thread of safety, which is why we would want to learn more advanced survival skills on the road anyway.
   
   Add it to your collection, and loan it to (or recommend they add it to their library) your new rider friends.

5 comments about Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well.

1. 
   This is an excellent, helpful and entertaining book. Even if you have thousands of miles under your belt, you will learn things that you will think of the next time you ride.
   
   It is not intended to be scary, but many things are talked about that need your undivided attention and much practice. As the book says, "you react in an emergency the way you were trained".
   
   This is a great book for all levels of riders and an enjoyable read.



2. I have been riding for over 30 years, so it seems most of the information in this book is just second nature for me, and I suspect for a lot of other experienced riders too. For the beginner, it seems that this is a LOT to think about while riding and could very well be overwhelming. Bottom line is that there is no substitute for experience, and no book is going to give that to you. You just need to ride, and ride a lot. That said, this is still a great book, and I learned a lot of technical stuff as to why a motorcycle behaves like it does. It also emphasizes the inherant dangers of riding, if that weren't already obvious to any one starting out. Overall, I would say the title is appropriate and this book is very much worth your time and money. An especially good read during the winter while it is too cold to get out there and ride!



3. This is a fantastic book. A must read for all motorcyclists. I should have read it years ago! It's a fun read as well which is hard to sometimes get when your reading about technical things.



4. Last year (2009) David was (well-deservedly) inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He's been studying, observing and analyzing motorcyle skills and safety for many years. I've heard him speak at countless rallies and read his books. When two of my adult children decided they wanted to become riders, my first act was to provide them with a copy of Proficient Motorcycling.



5. Based upon my advice from folks at work and on the Web, this was the first book I bought after taking the MSF course. I have found that it is not only an excellent source of information, but the author's style in presenting both the technical details and key components of riding psychology is incredibly easy to read and comprehend. I have the book lying by my favorite chair in my living room, and grab it 3 or 4 times a week just for enjoyment.
   
   Having read Proficient Motorcycling 3 times cover-to-cover, I still find something worth considering every time I open the pages.
   
   Highly recommended for beginning (and experienced) motorcyclists!

5 comments about No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels.

1. Don't waste your money on this man I know i would never. I borrowed the book and well as it was a quick read I gotta say that after the passage "they wanted to be like us" LOL. Give me a break. I wanted throw it across the room. I don't know if that was the Hydroxcut he was taking or he is that arragant. He knew the risks of the job but did anyway. Constantly fighting with himself about his family. Seems logical to me. Don't do what you do. Just a glorified paid rat!



2. This book was almost a good read. I did finish it. But there were too many time I felt it was just about to get into some good action detail and fell short. He is more of a fringe guy as much as he says he was an insider. It plays as a wannabe more than a real deal.



3. A real taste, feel, and sights into the real life and the people of the Hells Angels.



4. interesting read, I think that the picture the author painted of the angels was was not a full picture but dictated by his preconceived notions of what HE thought angels were. He aproached every one with a very tough guy out law attitude and was met with similar attitudes. All that time spent with the club and barely any worthwile busts, Not all club members are hardass dicks from my experience. But if you project that tough guy hardass image, it will be met by the same



5. If you're looking for insight into the reality of these groups, this is the book for you!

5 comments about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (P.S.).

1. I first read this masterpiece of fiction when I was fifteen, I remember clearly it was 1980 and I spent days in my room trying to understand the big words and attempting to figure out all the characters Pirsig would reference, Kant, Hume, Poincare, and the ancient Greeks. Since we were well before a simple Wikipedia search, it would be years before I would hear most of their names again. What I do remember very clearly is that when I emerged from my room I knew I was going to college to become a Mechanical Engineer. I had long since forgotten why I came to that conclusion until I relived my young experience on page 176 just a few days ago. It was my third reading of this great book.
   
   My second reading came in 1992, I was 28. In those days I was brash, arrogant, and full of gumption, as Pirsig would call it. I knew a lot more about philosophy and theology and engineering then I did my first time through. I also owned a motorcycle and had completed an active duty tour in the military. I was working as a systems engineer for the DoD and was in school working on my second Master's degree. The book still made sense... a lot of sense. At that point I knew it had nothing to do with Zen and even less to do with motorcycle maintenance, but Pirsig has always told us that up front.
   
   Fast forward sixteen years...a family, a company, a new career, a fresh read. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is still every bit the masterpiece it was back in 1974. But then what is it about - if it's not about Zen or art of motorcycle maintenance? Certainly much has been written over the past four decades attempting to define exactly what Pirsig was trying to tell us. No need for that. Read the book, Pirsig will tell you. No matter what you may hear, no matter what you may think, this book defines for us that which can never be expressed through words and rational thought alone. It must be experienced. Experience is the life changer, not thoughts or deeds. Experience this book and understand why.



2. What tripe. This is probably the best selling philosophy book ever, but I'm still trying to figure out what Pirsig's "philosophy" is. It's got something to do with "Quality." That's all I could glean from it. The importance of Quality in our lives is illustrated by this book, which has none. It's said that 147 publishers passed on this before it became a best seller, which should inspire confidence that the waste of enough time will ultimately result in something, kind of like the billion monkeys who type the Bible at random.
   
   Pirsig admits this book has NOTHING to do with Zen and NOTHING MUCH to do with motorcycles. If Pirsig really did know anything about Zen he would have burned this book once he'd typed the dedication page.
   
   I read this book in 1974 and 1980. and 1994, and 2009---Okay, so I only read it cover-to-cover once, in '74, when I didn't know any better and I thought it was deep. Kids.
   
   This was the first "Zen and the Art of" book, and its inexplicable popularity is reflected in the fact that seven billion subsequent books hijacked the title. About 6,999,999,998 of those subsequent books are better, and should trace their lineage to Eugen Herrigel's ZEN IN THE ART OF ARCHERY which is a great book, and which inspired Pirsig's title. Truth be told, the title is the most memorable thing about this book.
   
   What's wrong with ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE? Well, it's a long, long boring read. It's also self-indulgent, ego-ridden, rambling, and completely dry. Pirsig's story revolves around a motorcycle trip taken with his son. During the trip he ignores the boy utterly (except to emotionally abuse him), and spends 99% of his time in flatulent speculations on the nature of existence. He's pathologically critical of others and addicted to self-praise and superficial examination of his own problems. Yadda, yadda.
   
   I can remember only one moment of any lyric beauty, when Pirsig describes the scent of honeysuckle. The problem with Pirsig's approach is that he's an objectivist first and a subjectivist second. In ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE he's trying to write objectively about what are subjective experiences. Trying to make it dance, he ends up with something that clanks when it walks heavy-footed across your frontal lobe.
   
   Why then, was this coma-inducing pile of typing so successful? Firstly, it represented the high-water mark of, and epitomized, the "Me Decade" that gave birth to it. Secondly, it was just dull enough and filled with enough funny names and five dollar words to have readers believing it was really good and they were really dense for not getting it. It remains a biggie because it lives off its reputation as a "classic."
   
   What this all boils down to is that Pirsig made millions convincing people that they were stupid and that he was smart.



3. The book is good, however, I would not recommend ever buying any products from the company I purchased this book from- (greatbookdeals)... This is by far the worst place I have ever made a purchase from and I am saying this in a nice way. Greatbookdeals have to have the worst communications and shipping on planet earth.. Please save yourself a headache and buy from anyone else. Greatbookdeals get well I don't have enough thumbs on my hands to give them a thumbs down.Would not recommend greatbookdeals to anyone.............!!!!!!



4. probably the most over-hyped book of all time....i like practical books..check out Live Like A Fruit Fly - also on amazon



5. I have owned and read this book numerous times in my lifetime so I already knew what I was getting. I was replacing this book as my last copy had wandered away with a borrower, but I could not stand the thought of it not being in my library. This book was a life change for me; one of the most profound moments in my life and I recommend it to anyone.