Tuesday 12 February 2013

Gods of Mischief




The high-octane, no-holds-barred, true story of a bad guy turned good who infiltrated one of the most violent outlaw motorcycle gangs in history to take them down.

This is the high-octane, no-holds-barred, true story of a bad guy turned good who busted open one of the most violent outlaw motorcycle gangs in history.
George Rowe’s gritty and harrowing story offers not only a glimpse into the violent world of the motorcycle outlaw, but a gripping tale of self-sacrifice and human redemption that would be the stuff of great fiction—if it weren’t all true. Rowe had been a drug dealer, crystal meth addict, barroom brawler, and convicted felon, but when he witnessed the Vagos brutally and senselessly beat his friend over a pool game, everything changed.
Rowe decided to pay back his Southern California hometown for the sins of his past by taking down the gang that was terrorizing it. He volunteered himself as an undercover informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and vowed to dismantle the brotherhood from the inside out, becoming history’s first private citizen to voluntarily infiltrate an outlaw motorcycle gang for the U.S. government.
As “Big George,” a full-patched member of the Vagos, Rowe spent three brutal years juggling a double life—riding, fighting, and nearly dying alongside the brothers who he secretly hoped to put away for good. During this time, Rowe also became entwined in a tumultuous relationship with a struggling addict named Jenna, never once revealing that he was actually working for the Feds. The road to redemption was not an easy ride. Rowe lost everything: his family, his business, his home—even his identity.
To this day, under protection by the U.S. government, Rowe still looks over his shoulder, keeping watch for the brothers he put behind bars. They’ve vowed to search for him until the day they die.

MY THOUGHTS:
Let me start of by saying...This book is NOT for everyone! It is definitely R rated! George Rowe tells his story, in his language, and shares his sex life at times, in great detail, so if that might be offensive then this book is NOT for you!

George Rowe's story is incredible. When I was given the option to review it and I read the excerpt, I was intrigued. I'm not sure what I expected but I can tell you I am still just shaking my head as to how this man was able to first survive the "prospect phase" while trying to become a Vagos member and secondly, living with them while working with the Feds to take them out and not being busted!!

It seems George had a rough life from the start. His parents split, his mother was an alcoholic and took George from bar to bar as she found a new "lover" every chance she got. The court granted his Father custody and when George was just a young kindergartner, his father removed him from school and took him away to live in the Cascades. His Father taught George many things that would prove to help him in his future but sadly, his father became ill and he and George had to move back to Southern California where he later passed away. He and George were watching tv when his father slumped over into George's lap and died. George was only 10 years old.

After a friend of George's went missing and he knew "who" was involved in his disappearance, he had to do something. He agreed to work with the Federal Government to bring down the Vagos. Honestly, everything that George had to do to "become" a Vagos was more than most people can endure in a lifetime, George endured it all in 3 very long years. Add to that, the stress of every single day wondering if you would live or die or even worse, be found out by those you are helping to put away!

His story is fascinating, but I have to wonder...If George happened to ever read this review, I don't think he would appreciate my choice of words. His story is far more than fascinating, it is an incredible story of a man who gave everything he had and in the end lost even more than that.with George did so much for his community, for his friend who disappeared, and for those who were abused, intimidated, and far worse by the Vagos. But George will live forever with one eye open wondering if the Vagos' have finally found him and have come to get their revenge.

I will not soon forget George Rowe or his story.

Thank you Ashley Hewlett and Touchstone Publishers for allowing me this book for review in exchange for my honest opinion.