Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #788957 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

From Library Journal
Reynolds presents a history of post-World War II American motorcycling culture, focusing on the image of the outlaw biker, which, he feels, is largely a product of media and public stereotyping. The author combines personal vignettes of bikers along with watershed events in biker history and culture. These events are examined as they were portrayed in the media and perceived by the public and are then countered by Reynolds. Thus, while The Wild One created a public image of "bad boy" bikers that was widely believed, it was unlike bikers or bike clubs of that time. His arguments are convincing even though his vignettes reveal less-than-saintly characters who can easily be viewed stereotypically. Based on the HBO documentary Outlaws: Motorcycle Myth in America, the book reads too often as if its structure and text have been borrowed from the film. One result is many overly long and overly detailed descriptive passages, which may work well visually but lend little to an understanding of the author's viewpoint. While this does have interesting ideas, the work is not a necessary purchase. David Van de Streek, Pennsylvania State Univ. Lib., York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.