Dead Man Running

By: Ross Coulthart, Duncan McNab

Narrated by: Michael Carman

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

"We are the people our parents warned us about" is the motto of the Bandidos, one of the world's most feared outlaw motorcycle gangs. For ten years, Steve Utah was a Bandidos insider. He arranged the security of their clubhouses. He 'cooked' ecstasy and ice for them. He was at meetings where interstate and overseas drug and weapons smuggling was planned. He saw stolen military weapons being sold. He witnessed vicious beatings, helped dump corpses. He saw men executed in front of him. It all became too much and, in an attempt to regain control of his life, Utah resorted to the unthinkable: he rolled over to the Federal Police and told them all he knew about the Bandidos.

This shocking, unflinching, tragic story is Steve Utah's confession. He knows he is a dead man running - that inevitably the Bandido code will be honoured and he will be silenced. But not before Utah gets his chance to wake Australians to the looming threat in their midst - the relentless rise of sophisticated organised crime networks inside outlaw motorcycle gangs and the apparent inability of the Police and legal system to deal with it.

©2008 Ross Coulthart, Duncan McNab (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Reads like a bad textbook. Don't waste your time.

What disappointed you about Dead Man Running?

This book was extremely boring and in my opinion very poorly written. There were a few ok points but for the most part, it was a total waste of time. It seemed to keep switching from an AUTO-biography to a text book about random crime facts and statistics that had little to do with the book, to a biography. This book seemed to be all over the place with the writing and very hard to follow. The only thing good about the audiobook was the narrator, who did a good job of reading the text and being very articulate. The narrator was the only thing about the book that was worth anything. Don't waste you time or money. Skip this one, you'll be much better off for it.

5 people found this helpful

Boring at best

Takes place in Australia and make no sense what so ever. Boring at best

7 people found this helpful

sounds like Hollywood

Having first hand knowledge of both Bandidos and Hollywood this is more Hollywood. Very hard to take anything serious with the Narrator nasally Aussie voice especially when he tries to talk tough.
This is another reason why the US bandidos no longer associate with the national bandidos.

more bullshit then fact.

I don't know where this asshat got his "facts" from but it is very clear that it is all 2nd and 3rd hand bullshit. 15min into it I had to go put on my rubber boots just to wade through the ever compiling shit. From the origination of HA's colors to who was responsible for the first Baditos chapter in AU.

Murder and Mahem

Who was your favorite character and why?

Steve Utah, he's the real deal and the Aussie Feds screw him over big time. When he gets beat within an inch of his life it's like, "Have a good day mate" and "Deal? What Deal?".

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It wasn't that good, not bad but parts became a history lesson.

Any additional comments?

Nice look at outlaw motorcycle gangs and their crimes around the globe. It's too bad this wasn't written by Steve Utah himself. Lots of Steve Utah quotes, but something is lost in translation when it doesn't come out of your own mouth.

Scary, dark, true crime = must listen

What made the experience of listening to Dead Man Running the most enjoyable?

The readers voice.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not really but i don't think this book was meant to like that. But the subject keeps you on the edge of your seat all by itself

Have you listened to any of Michael Carman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No not yet but i will be in the future thats for sure. Michael has one of those voices that would suit many styles of books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes for sure. Luckily i was able to do that.

Any additional comments?

Just a great book with a very clear in look at the bikie world not only here in Australia but the world over. Even if your not into bikie books it is still a eye opener which will make you see things in a different light.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting till the end

Where does Dead Man Running rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best

What other book might you compare Dead Man Running to and why?

Right now I am listening to Dead Biker and it seems similar...

Have you listened to any of Michael Carman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Performance was excellent

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The writing and delivery keeps the reader/listener engaged till the end

Any additional comments?

Love the book!

Honour of the dregs of society

The authors have had a decent stab at tackling the life of the bikey gangs of Australia, principally through a Bandido 'turncoat' who had had enough.
This does not make for easy listening but hopefully has performed a public service in Australia where is seems that at that time at least 2005-7 law enforcement against these murderous gangs was hamstrung by interstate police rivalry ,an ineffective federal serious crime organisation, corruption and rival gang cooperation.
They note when they think that their source , Steven Utah, is telling the truth and clearly state when they have reservations about his testimony.
I think that they have done a very commendable job and anyone who harbours romantic views of biker gangs on the open road will surely be disabused.

5 people found this helpful

I couldn't carry on

4 hours In and i just couldn't take it anymore. knowing a little about this guy previously I wasnt expecting a Hollywood, sons of anarchy style memoir, but I felt even the chap reading it sounded bored, even though he was clearly trying.

Very good

Very good story, although a little factual, but to be expected. recommend it though

start from about chapter ten. Good after that.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I would.

What did you like best about this story?

It picked up pace after the Middle of the book. End of the story very good. Initial 9-10 chapters rambled on somewhat.

What three words best describe Michael Carman’s voice?

Very make Aussie

Do you think Dead Man Running needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, guy would end up dead probably!

Any additional comments?

Didn't like some of the terminology (bikies, bashing etc) appreciate its a National thing but detracts from the core image of the story for me. Sounds quite child like.