Customer Reviews:
 Quite a fascinating read July 18, 2007
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Okay, apart from the ridiculous "omg he's not a writer" things I've seen other commenters add (why bother?), I'm glad to see a few other folks got the point of Connecticut Ed's book.
He is VERY upfront and honest about his life, from his continual run-ins with the law up through the 'turf wars' between the Hells and the Bandidos in Canada.
Down here in Houston, the Bandidos are very prominent, though not quite as much as they used to be. I have had the pleasure of meeting several members over the course of my life and I have to say, they were all pretty much like Connecticut Ed: Social, outgoing, gregarious, and (though this may surprise some) gentlemen. Not in the sense that these are boys you're going to meet at a church social, of course. But I have yet to see a member not willing to help someone broken down on the side of the road or share a drink with a total stranger at a bar because they were sitting by themselves. Some of the most courteous people on the road, too, so long as you respect their space.
I don't know how many times I burst out into a full belly laugh reading about some of Connecticut Ed's exploits and those of his friends (the infamous 'bike loading' event, for example). Sure, he could have gotten a ghost writer or had someone do some major editing, but the book would have lost most of its flavour and its 'shoot from the hip' style.
Highly recommended for anyone who's a fan of the Iron Horse and the band of brothers that a shared love of bikes engenders.
 Out in Bad Standings: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club--The Making of a Worldwide Dynasty March 31, 2007
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
overall the book was enjoyable, one man's journey and expiriences with the Bandidos.
 Whoa - Tedious! March 29, 2007
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
You have to be truly motivated to get through this book. Like others, I expected there to be some sort of point to the book and that there would be story construction, and editing, and a reasonable grasp of the English language by the author, and that I would be engaged and rip through it.
Instead, I just kept telling myself "I am going to get through this thing if it kills me! Something must happen somewhere, maybe toward the end."
Well, nothing happens, but I do have to admit that the end was a high point so I could put the thing down!
That aside, there were some positive aspects to the book: 1) there are photos throughout and that certainly adds an element of richness. 2) you could make an argument that the extreme detail and resulting monotony makes for a more realistic look at what it's like to be in a 1% club. Every day is not about shooting it out with the feds or terrorizing central California towns.
And, 3) if you read between the lines, you get an idea of what makes a good club member. Ed Winterhalder was about the most social person I have ever heard of, and the amount of time he spent on club business was impressive, given that on the other side of his life, he was amazingly industrious. That is a sacrifice that very few people are prepared to make.
But there must be a less excruciating way to find out about the mundane details of club life. I think next time I want to find out such things, I will just waltz into one the local chapters' clubhouses and get beaten up. Then at least I will have learned something quickly, and probably with less pain.
Unedited ego-trip . . . December 26, 2006
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
I've read nearly ever book ever written about outlaw bikers. Usually, they're interesting and fast-paced. Some read almost like "action-adventure" novels, whereas others are more like "true crime" dramas, and a few were in depth studies for academic research. THIS book was nothing like I had expected.
I was prepared to be entertained by a book that I could finish in 2 nights . . . instead, I had to read it over the course of 2 weeks, and it was a struggle to stay awake, as it proved dull, tiresome, and failed to hold my interest.
Apparently (from Winterhalder's perspective), the author is a saintly man who -- aside from an unspecified felony which occurred 20 yrs in the past -- has never committed a wrongful act. No fisticuffs or partying for this one. He portrays himself as a sterling example of good citizenship who should be emulated by Boy Scouts and choirboys throughout the land. We should all envy his many accomplishments and great wealth. Over and over Winterhalder promotes himself, as if this book was intended to be read by his parole officer or a corporate recruiter. "Me, me, me." He spends far more time talking about his successful career as a building contractor, how he made money selling real estate, and his daughter's extracurricular activities than discussing what it is to be an outlaw biker. Unfortunately, he never discloses how or why he happened to have an "ENFORCER" tab sewn upon his colors, which he brags about once, but never addresses again. It would seem that he is continuing to promote himself by using a series of "sockpuppets" to give this book glowing 5-star reviews. Upon further examination, each of these reviewers (who have posted days apart) have only bothered to review this single book. This book is extremely boring and uninteresting, and certainly could've been helped by enlisting a competant ghostwriter as well as an editor.
One thing that shocked me about this book is the amount of logistical data it provides to Law Enforcement. Literal tables of chapters and support clubs, complete with location and number of members. Full names of over a hundred members are used. Many physical addresses of private residences are provided, as well as several e-mail addresses. It would seem that this is a petty attempt at revenge against his former club, as even the dimmest prospect knows that such information is to be kept confidential, under penalty of losing one's patch and motorcycle (as well as a beating).
On the positive side, at the beginning of the book Winterhalder provides an introductory handout given to prospects and "hangarounds" regarding what is expected of a prospective member. This is very good information, and the highlight of the book (even though it was not written by the author). There was also a number of keen observations regarding the faults (manipulation, dishonesty, ingratitude, etc.) of the National officers, as well as many individual members. While this may seem like a lot of whining (which, in many cases, it is), it does paint a clear picture of a less than ideal situation in which the core values of "brotherhood" which all 1%ers claim to hold above all other virtues, are regularly undermined by the selfish -- who frequently hold leadership positions. Also, the pages were glossy with color photos instead of the normal B&W paper, which was interesting.
Unfortunately, the redundant bragging and continuous effort to present himself in a 100% positive light, as well as the droning monologue throughout, made this one of the dullest books I've ever been subjected to, and reading it was a tedious ordeal.
Tedious & Uninteresting... December 23, 2006
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
The writer needed more help in more ways than time allows to expound upon. A self serving, responsibility side stepping, well timed exploitation of the current "Biker" trend. Ct. Ed is indeed a smart man because he could easily see that the climate for any book about the "Outlaw" MC world would sell. What an obvious attempt to cash in on a mediocre personal MC history. After plodding through most of this book, (you will likely need two bottles of Extra Strength Excedrin and several pots of Coffee) it became clear why he was treated the way he was by his Brothers and why he ultimately ended up, "Out. In Bad Standing".
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