The Devil's advocate does it again

books:

	• Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (Modern Library) Hunter S. Thompson Modern Library, 1999 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 116 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Wry, smirking

tragicomedy about America's best known motorcycle gang. Thompson dissects the Angel phenomenon and its effect on America with dazzling sociological precision. His first, and not his best, but I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. Far from glorifying the excess and flamboyance of the Angels in the 60's, he instead writes them into history as heavy handed, naive outsiders with little to believe in except their own hedonism and terrfying image. All the gory details are here, drug use, sex lives, media exposure, cops,bikes, dope, booze, costumes...interesting insights into the ugly underbelly of the postwar reality.

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Strange and Terrible indeed

A fortifying piece of pure American gonzo literature, no doubt about it. In this one year epic of HST's dealings with the vile, wretched, destruction mongers of the world; a consequential admiration seems to develop for the "mutants" that Thompson brings to life. Social degenerates, too legit for extermination yet so malicious that fear itself would never discover the Hell's Angels(Only their unfortunate victims). Blessed with such a cast as Terry "the tramp",Ralph "Sonny" Barger and hundreds upon thousands of willing destructionites the Angels were certainly at the forefront of idealistic individuality by way of sheer brutality. Armed with strength in numbers, a general disregard for societies norms and an unwavering sense of self righteousness the Angels ran roughshod over the meek 99%ers that make up the establishment. The general dicontempt of press held by the Angels scared many an ambitious journalist away but not Thompson. In rechanting this grotesque yet entertaining account of America's most notorious congregation, HST displays his gusto for getting to the heart of the story as well as a true grit in the face of personal injury. In cliche; An insightful look into the habits of an outlaw motorcycle gang's rise to American media fame. Truly, the most recommendable piece of reading material for any of HST's admiring fans and a sick and twisted look into the 1%er way of life{...} "The Hell's Angels...blood, gang rape...glance over at your wife, your children in the back seat, could you protect them against a gang of young toughs gone wild on booze and drugs?...remember those pictures? Big ugly street-fighters not even afraid of police, loving a fight, swinging chains and big wrenches, knives - no mercy at all".

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The Flip Side of Americana

The Hell's Angels and the outlaw biker gang phenomenon have always made for interesting discussion. One needs only to recall some of those B movies made in the 1960's about the Hells Angels and how many "ordinary" folks fantasized about living the life of a biker gang memeber. This book was written as sort of an expose'into the lives of "typical" biker gang members. It follows the history of the group from the end of World War II up to about 1966. I found it an enjoyable, easy read when I first read it 20-some odd years ago. I think the reader will come away with the understanding of why some individuals find the biker lifestyle an expression of total freedom, albeit within the seedier side of society. Anyone with an interest in the subject matter would find this a good book to buy.

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The Devil's advocate does it again

The most amazing thing about this book is that it somehow brings the reader right inside the minds and yearnings of the Angels, making their antics seem not only understandable, but almost desirable (i.e., the wrong effects for the right reasons).

Another very appealing aspect of the book is its thorough discussion of Angels "stuff:" the all-important Angels logo or "colors," grease-encrusted denim, nazi helmets, green beard dye, nose-rings, iron crosses, various firearms, coffins, beheading swords, bikes, beer, and leather.

Thompson makes it clear these so-called "scumbags" are not to be emulated, but they do have their code, and it's easy to understand: ride, shock, get loaded, ride, frighten, maim, drink, rape, fight, ride, and drink. And then go out and rape.

This reader could not put the book down.

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reviews: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, page 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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