No Angel

My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels

By: Jay Dobyns, Nils Johnson-Shelton

Narrated by: Mel Foster

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Getting shot in the chest as a rookie ATF agent, bartering for machine guns, throttling down the highway at 100 miles per hour, and responding to a full-scale, bloody riot between the Hells Angels and their rivals, the Mongols---these are just a few of the high-adrenaline experiences Jay Dobyns recounts in this action-packed, hard to imagine, but true story of how he infiltrated the legendary Hells Angels.

Dobyns leaves no stone of his harrowing journey unturned. At runs and clubhouses, between rides and riots, Dobyns befriends bad-ass bikers, meth-fueled "old ladies", gun fetishists, psycho-killer ex-cons, and even some of the "Filthy Few"---the elite of the Hells Angels who've committed extreme violence on behalf of their club.

Eventually, at parties staged behind heavily armed security, he meets legendary club members such as Chuck Zito, Johnny Angel, and the godfather of all bikers, Ralph "Sonny" Barger. To blend in with them, he gets full-arm ink; to win their respect, he vows to prove himself a stone-cold killer. Hardest of all is leading a double life, which has him torn between his devotion to his wife and children and his pledge to become the first federal agent ever to be "fully patched" into the Angels' near-impregnable ranks.

His act is so convincing that he comes within a hairsbreadth of losing himself. Eventually, he realizes that just as he's been infiltrating the Hells Angels, they've been infiltrating him. And just as they're not all bad, he's not all good.

Reminiscent of Donnie Brasco's uncovering of the true Mafia, this is an eye-opening portrait of the world of bikers - the most in-depth since Hunter Thompson's seminal work - one that fully describes the seductive lure criminal camaraderie has for men who would otherwise be powerless outsiders. Here is all the nihilism, hate, and intimidation, but also the freedom - and, yes, brotherhood---of the only truly American form of organized crime.

©2009 Jay Dobyns and Nils Johnson-Shelton (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fascinating look at the Hells Angels and the price one man paid for infiltrating the gang." ( Booklist)

awesome book

loved the book, great story. thanks for taking us to a world most of us will never know.

LOVE YOUR AGENCY DONT EXPECT THEM TO LOVE YOU BACK

I sought out this title after watching Jay on a recent podcast with him coaching football now...wow! I had read another ATF MC undercover book, "Under And Alone" years ago and was inspired as to how investigations against MCs came to be. Especially after Twin Peaks (Texas). Jay displayed his personal courage during the operation and again when he went head on against his agency, the ATF. This book is a great compliment to Under And Alone. Only thing about this book is that it ended abruptly.

Absolutely worth it.

One of the better books like this that I’ve read and I’ve read most. I saw him on a podcast and was like ok maybe this is a guy I won’t hate and I didn’t. Most of them I despise as most cops are simply ego maniacal little man syndrome ridden doofs. This guy truly isn’t.

GREAT STORY LIKE A MOVIE STORY BUT?????

Great story at times thinking your cover was blown and I really like the book you got my money from me buying the book.Here's the BUT to me your a RAT & I hate RATS BUT it's your job right? Well I don't hate police who do there job walking there beat or driving around stopping cars with lights out or speeding.BUT I dislike RAT COPS which is what you are.Story good like a movie COP/AUTHOR/RAT in life dislike.

can't wait to get back to it

This book was very interesting to help understand what a true undercover goes through and sacrifices for their job.

Awesome Read

loved every second of this book! you can't put it down! must read for everyone

Great Book..A must read!

This book opens up the doors and gives you an inside look into the Hells Angels. From start to finish, this book keeps you engaged and motivated, wanting to find out what’s happening next.. Best book I’ve read in quite some time.

Mesmerizing

This was the first time that I have ever listened to an audiobook and could not stop. If I had to, I could not wait to get back to it to hear what happened next. The story was written beautifully and intensely and the reader had a voice that matched the dialogue perfectly. If these guys wrote another book, I would instantly begin reading it.

everything I'd hoped.

loved everything about it. a great ride that takes you inside and inside the mind of a UC.

Great

I really appreciate all the details in the book, paints a clear picture for the listener.