Oh the weather is not delightful. Yesterday, the air was positively spring-like. I began looking at my flip-flops in anticipation of pedicures and walking around outside.
Bookish Thoughts, Book Reviews & Tales of Small Town Charms
In stores on Feb Interested in finding out more about Calling Me Home? Two other books readers should be on the lookout for Both will be released Feb Looking for great book chats? Use gr8books on Twitter- the host is Andrea gr8thoughts. It was a fun-filled chat with lots of interesting chatter about the book. Next chat is March 5th, from pmCST. The book discussed will be Wife You may have noticed tons of tweets and things about Julie Kibler. And judging from the tweets and reviews- it seems that everyone in the srblog group enjoyed the book.
If you want to read about Julie Kibler is creating her best and most creative ideas- stop by She Reads today! Use gr8books to join in! Want to read a book about the take down of an outlaw motorcycle gang? Read my review of Gods of Mischief by George Rowe. Out in stores Feb 12! Motorcycle gangs are something that have been around for some time. There are different groups and some are more known than others. Each group has their own colors, patches and rules. The story of George Rowe and his vendetta to take down the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang is a story of grit and determination.
Gods of Mischief | Book by George Rowe | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
George is the man a person goes to for drugs. He makes money, spends money- does drugs, sells drugs. No problem- George will haul your belongings off. Sex for drugs is another form of payment. Life is going until George with the help of others sees that his life is not what he wants. He gets clean- and decides to start paying back his town for all his hell-raising past. Some Vagos come in and want the pool table that David is playing at- and when he refuses to hand it over, words are exchanged.
Which leads to David making the biggest mistake- he knocks out a Vagos member. After he left the hospital- he was never seen again. George was tired of the Vagos ruining the town- and he felt it was his duty to bring down the Vagos. George begins working for them. He starts hanging out with the Vagos, looking to become a prospect; then a full-fledged member. Over a course of 3 years- George goes from an outsider to a full-fledged Vagos member. He gathers information, reports to the ATF, and tries to make sure that his cover is not blown.
For fans of non-fiction- this story is a tale that will expose the reader to the outlaw world. A world of drugs and sex. A world where men make their own rules. My brother is in Washington DC today- a little road trip planned with a friend. Today was also the day of the Amy Hill Hearth chat on Twitter sorry I did not post blog before it happened! If you want to know more about her, please read the interview that Deep South Magazine posted. Also, look for southernlit on Twitter to see some of the talk! Both are good- and at opposite ends of the book world!
Me Before You has already made several books lists and is creating quite a buzz. Told from his point of view, we get a laid back, folk tale style story that tells us an interesting and engaging story of a man and his three year deep undercover effort to bring down a vicious motorcycle gang. The story then switches to the past as George tells us of his life up to this point, addressing his turbulent and violent childhood and adult years with no apology. He is what he is.
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An addictive personality whose life is a study in drugs, violence, and bad choices. George is a good natured man. He has a self deprecation to his thoughts and reminiscing, often poking fun at his mistakes and questionable choices. Jenna was actually happy with the idea of spending quality time with her suspiciously gay boyfriend. He struggles with his conscience on many occasions, knowing what he is doing is wrong, yet doing whatever is necessary to stay on the path he chose.
Gods of Mischief:My Undercover Vendetta to Take Down the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang
I grew to like George despite his many, many flaws. Even after finishing his story, I hesitate to call George Rowe a hero, and I think he would too. He, like the rest of the town, turned a blind eye to many of the misdeeds of the Vagos motorcycle gang, allowing them the almost impenetrable hold they had on the town. It is only when a friend disappears does George pick his head up, look around, and truly acknowledge the evil that lives around him. I would however commend his courage and bravery. Especially knowing that once he was done, his life as George Rowe was essentially over.
While we understand that he is working to take them down, you can sense the struggle he has with this assignment. These are men he has lived with, worked with, and fought with.
They accepted him into their family and he has made friends with some of them. I liked that he struggled with it. There were a few problems. The editing and format were horrible with repeating paragraphs and jumping sentences. Hopefully, the publisher will clean up the copies. The story drags at times as we wait for the action to start and I admit to getting antsy and wanting to jump ahead. There are also some repetitive scenes where George drifts back and forth between the present and the past or vents his dislike of certain members.
The ending was hard, fast and heartbreaking when everything comes together and George realizes what will have to happen now. Also, there is a small epilogue that makes you question everything George did and if it was all worth it. Regardless, the story is an adventure for true crime and MC buffs; providing an honest look at a man and what he was willing to do to clean up his town and redeem himself in the process.
Feb 06, Cheryl rated it liked it. Rowe lays it all on the line and airs his dirty laundry. For this fact, this is why I enjoyed reading this book. It felt raw and unscripted. On this same note, as much as I did appreciate getting to know George and his childhood, I did feel like after a while of reading these things that it did slow down the reading of this book some.
There was one comment that I read that Mr. Rowe said that I thought this is a big understatement. Me, I would rather have a root canal. To do all the things George had to do to become a member and accepted by the Vagos is not for me. The ending is kind of sad. Knowing that even though George helped to take down the Vagos in a major bust that the Vagos are still alive and well and have doubled and maybe tripled in size is scary. So it does make you wonder what is the point of informants when the gang is just going to grow again with new leaders and the informants are left to constantly watch their back for the rest of their lives.
Still a good read. Amazing Kept me riveted. No extra words or "fluff. I highly recommend this book. Mar 22, Karen rated it it was amazing. May 09, Israel rated it really liked it. George is motivated to take such a large risk by the disappearance, and suspected murder, of a family friend who had a run in with the Vagos and a very upright moral stance of wanting to make his home town of Hemet, California free of the dangerous Vagos motorcycle gang. George Rowe gives the reader a unique perspective and that helps the reader really get an idea of what riding with a motorcycle gang is all about.
The drinking, fighting, drug use, gambling, sex, drugs, and rock n roll is all there on display and George Rowe walks a fine balance of telling the story authentically while not being influenced by drugs in part because of his own past filled with drug use. George Rowe also has a fine sense of humor that he interjects in just the right places in the book to be effective. The author constantly reminds the reader how bad the Vagos members are and his motivations for wanting to put them behind bars.
If I had any complaints about the book it would have to be that the author uses his past life experiences, which are very interesting, to show his motivation for some of his actions while working undercover and in some cases I found myself a little confused. Some parts of the story feel a little scattered when the author tries to weave his past experiences in with his time undercover but that is just a small flaw in a rather well written book. Feb 16, Mason Canyon rated it really liked it.
This is one book that was much more than I had expected. Author George Rowe tells it as he remembers it. But it is presented in a manner fitting the story This is one book that was much more than I had expected. But it is presented in a manner fitting the story. Rowe was no angel to begin with. He grew up in a hard life becoming a drug dealer and convicted felon. But there was still good in him as he attempted to clean up his act. The major turning point, however, came when members of the Vagos outlaw motorcycle gang brutally beat up a friend of his. Rowe wanted revenge and his hometown out from under the gang that terrorized it.
For the first time in history a private citizen, Rowe, volunteered to work undercover. He would bring the gang down from the inside. He even became involved with an addict named Jenna without telling her who he really was. In fact, as he helped bring the brotherhood down around them, she was pregnant with his child. Gods of Mischief gives a raw look at the lifestyle Rowe lived.
As a reader, the story is a roller coaster ride of emotions. The story flows smoothly leading readers on the highs and lows of the double life. A number of black and white photographs are also included throughout the book. They depict numerous members of the Vagos.
Once all was said and done, some things changed and others remained the same. He remains in the U. Witness Security Program as the ones he helped put in jail have vowed to find him. Gods of Mischief is a gritty memoir. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. Feb 12, Loren rated it it was amazing. 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 ph Let me start of by saying 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 with a very sad ending.
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 come to get their revenge.
Thank you Ashley Hewlett and Touchstone Publishers for allowing me this book for review in exchange for my honest opinion. May 04, Mirella rated it it was amazing. Gods of Mischief is a gripping, tell-it-like-it-is memoir of George Rowe, a man who once lived a life of criminal activity and turned his life around, doing his best to right the wrongs in his community.
A savvy drug dealer and ruthless small businessman, George Rowe was forced to take a hard look at the path of his life when his 8 year old son point blank asked him if he was a drug dealer. From that moment on, he did his best to put his adverse lifestyle behind him. Because members of the Vagos Gods of Mischief is a gripping, tell-it-like-it-is memoir of George Rowe, a man who once lived a life of criminal activity and turned his life around, doing his best to right the wrongs in his community.
Because members of the Vagos Motorcyle Club had previously tried to recruit him, George enters into an agreement to become a confidential informant for local law enforcement. His task is to infiltrate the Vagos MC and gather evidence. Understanding the danger and consequences, George accepts and lives the lifestyle for several years, putting his life in danger more than once. This book is a revelation, giving readers an intimate look into the functions and dysfunctions of outlaw motorcycle clubs like the Vagos, their club rules, their attitudes and beliefs, and their ruthless behaviour.
More importantly, one cannot help but admire George Rowe for not only changing his own life, but for having the courage to aid law enforcement in bringing to a halt the rampant crimes and danger suffered by townsfolk, albeit temporarily. It was his own way of making amends, of sacrificing 3 years of his life by going undercover, of trying to do what was right despite his own sad background. I 19m glad that George Rowe took the time to pen his tale now that he is in hiding and in Witness Protection.
I was completely engrossed in his story, unable to put the book down, and reading it in two sittings. The author has a blunt writing style, adding vividness and impact to the storytelling. What I liked most about George Rowe, that despite his gruff exterior, he is a man with heart 13 taking care of his girlfriend Jenna and her child, sticking with her despite the agony of her drug addiction and the havoc it played upon his life and that of her father. It speaks to George Rowe 19s credibility and integrity. This is a great story of redemption and personal triumph and I highly recommend it.
I truly loved this book! Bravo George Rowe 13 I applaud your courage wherever you are. Feb 11, Betty rated it really liked it. I lead such a sheltered life. Thousands of motorcyclists come to this part of the country for the Honda Hoot or the Gold Wing gathering. These are friendly gatherings. We wave to the riders when we see them heading towards the mountains. The Gods of Mischief are definitely not the same! They bring terror to communities in California: The federal government wants to bring down the "Green Nation I lead such a sheltered life.
The federal government wants to bring down the "Green Nation", the Vagos outlaw motorcycle gang. George Rowe was a "bad boy" who grew up with a very rough childhood. We learn about Rowe's childhood, including being taken out of school for four years of fishing with his dad. We learn why he reformed. We learn how and why he agreed to let the feds convince George to go undercover and infiltrate the Vagos.
Most of the book is written in R-rated language, bordering on X-rated. This rough language emphasizes the way George, his girlfriend, and the Vagos talk. The best part of the book was the details of how Rowe and his family went into the witness protection program. I sense that Rowe had assistance in writing the book, as he himself said he could barely read and write.
My guess is that the "ghost author" cannot be identified due to the security. Again, I lead such a sheltered life and am glad to get a glimpse of this type of terror through the printed word, rather than in real life. Feb 09, Maureen Timerman rated it it was amazing Shelves: Didn't quite know what to expect from the title of this book and the verbage on the back. First it is "R" rated for Language, Sex and Violence.
One never knows, and Mr Rowe doesn't pull any punches, he says it just like it is! You wonder why there are so many problems with people today, well look at these people who are raising them. The drug use is so rampant that I wanted to go and get that p Didn't quite know what to expect from the title of this book and the verbage on the back. The drug use is so rampant that I wanted to go and get that poor 2 year old. George is the bad guy, turn good guy? We ride along with these misfits, and low lives and they really made me sick! The disregard for human life is so terrible, don't look at someone wrong.
When one of George's friends, a new father to be, ends up missing forever. He finally decides he want to help clean up Hemet CA. He enters into a very dangerous world of infiltrating the Vagos Motorcycle Gang. Being a snitch is a perilous position, but he is finally willing to put his life on the line. Will George ever make it out alive? Does he ever clear his name with the gang and get out of the probation period? Let me say this is a good mystery, and unfortunately very true.
Once you start, there is no putting this read down! Feb 20, Matthew Ciarvella rated it liked it Shelves: It seems that memoirs of time spent with outlaw motorcycle gangs are getting more and more popular. Unlike No Angel, which details an ATF agent's attempt to infiltrate the Hells Angels, Gods of Mischief follows a self-confessed "criminal and menace to society" as he tries to clean up his town by going undercover into the Vagos Motorcycle Club. The book's strong points are the raw honesty that Rowe has about himself.
He doesn't try to make himself look like a hero or even a decent guy.