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Winterhalder Books Available At Amazon

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Entertainment For Bikers Now Available - Demo DVD & 3 Books

Happy New Year everyone!

A demo DVD for our documentary reality series and three of Edward Winterhalder's books are now available at Amazon.com, in case a trip to your local store is out of your way:

"Living on the Edge: Riding with the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club in Pennsylvania"

"Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club - The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty" (Blockhead City Press/Seven Locks Press - Santa Ana, CA - November 2005)

"The Mammoth Book Of Bikers" (Constable & Robinson - London, England - October 2007)

"The Assimilation: Rock Machine To Bandidos - Bikers United Against The Hells Angels" (ECW Press - Toronto, Canada - June 2008)

For more information please click on the following link: Winterhalder Books

Frank Weimann from The Literary Group International is Edward Winterhalder's literary, television, and film agent; Frank can be contacted at 212-274-1616.

Steve Lassiter from APA-Nashville is Edward Winterhalder's personal appearance agent; Steve can be contacted at 615-297-0100.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Edward Winterhalder Now Represented By Frank Weimann and The Literary Group International

We are pleased to announce that Frank Weimann from The Literary Group International is now Edward Winterhalder's literary, television and film agent, effective October 31, 2007; Frank can be contacted at 212-274-1616.

Steve Lassiter from APA-Nashville remains Winterhalder's agent for personal appearances; Steve can be contacted at 615-297-0100.

Edward is the author of "Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club - The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty" (Nov 2005); a contributing author to "The Mammoth Book Of Bikers" (Oct 2007); the co-author with Wil DeClercq of "The Assimilation: Rock Machine To Bandidos - Bikers United Against The Hells Angels" (Jun 2008); the co-author with Dr. Arthur Veno and Dr. Julie van den Eynde of "Women Bikers and Biker's Women"; and the co-author with James Richard Larson of two novels, "The Mirror" and "A Biker's Story".

Founded in 1986 by Frank Weimann, The Literary Group International is one of the premier literary agencies in the book publishing industry. The company represents more than 200 authors worldwide. Its formidable client list ranges from novelists, celebrities and public figures, to Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning authors.

Known as the "home of bestselling authors," the agency has represented more than fifty bestsellers during the last six years. Among the agency's current popular titles are "The Alchemyst" by Michael Scott; "It's Not About the Truth" by Mike Pressler with Don Yaeger; "The Far Reaches" by Homer Hickam; "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley; and "Dog and Bear" By Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

In addition to its growing list of achievements in the United States, LGI has successfully placed a diverse spectrum of titles in the international market. The company also handles film, audio, and magazine rights both domestically and abroad.

In addition to his literary endaevors, Winterhalder is also the Executive Producer of a DVD/TV documentary reality series about motorcycle clubs called "Living on the Edge", that will be distributed worldwide. The first episode, "Living on the Edge: Riding with the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club in Pennsylvania", focuses on the positive aspects of club life, through the member's lives, families, jobs and communities that they live in.

For more information about books written by Edward Winterhalder, please click on the following link: Winterhalder Books

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Limited Edition, Demo DVD of the Pilot for "Living on the Edge" Now Available at Amazon.com

A limited edition, demo DVD of the pilot for the documentary reality series “Living on the Edge” is now available at Amazon.com and/or Ebay.com.

“Living on the Edge: Riding with the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club in Pennsylvania” is a biker orientated, Harley-themed show that focuses on the positive aspects of motorcycle club life, through the lives, families, communities and jobs of club members.

As you ride along with the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club and their guest, corporate executive Mike Crowe, the bikers host a picnic for returning Iraqi and Afghani war veterans and visit a local Harley dealer to attend a book signing.

To purchase this DVD, click on the following link:

Purchase “Living on the Edge” DVD

To view a 6 minute preview trailer for this DVD, click on the following link:

Watch Preview Trailer

Enjoy the ride…


Monday, August 27, 2007

Video Clip (trailer) from the Pilot Episode of "Living On The Edge"

Here is a trailer clip for Blockhead City Entertainment's new DVD/TV Harley-themed reality series "Living on the Edge". Each episode will feature a different motorcycle club, focusing on the positive aspects of motorcycle club life, through the lives, families, jobs and communities of club members.

"Living on the Edge: Riding with the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club in Pennsylvania"

This is a six (6) minute clip from the pilot episode, which follows the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club in Pennsylvania and their guest for the week, Michael Crowe, as they host a picnic for Iraqi/Afghani war veterans and attend a book signing by Dennis Fritz at White's Harley Davidson in Lebanon, PA.

The Executive Producer of the series is Edward Winterhalder, celebrity biker and author of "Out in Bad Standings: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club"; contributing author of "The Mammoth Book of Bikers", and the co-author of "The Assimilation".

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Living On The Edge - Riding With The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club In Pennsylvania

Click on the flyer to see a larger image, or go to Blockhead City Entertainment.


Filming for this episode is now complete, and post-production editing has begun; there will be a link to the trailer for the show posted here soon.

Monday, July 30, 2007

What's Been Happening While We Have Been Filming The Pilot For The "Living On The Edge" DVD/TV Reality Series

These past few days have been filled with excitement for the people who live in the Reading area. Filming began on Thursday for the pilot of the DVD/TV reality show ‘Living on the Edge’. Throughout the weekend the crew filmed certain Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club members in their daily lives. The cameras followed them to their jobs, homes, and club functions. On Friday, July 26th the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club welcomed Mike Crowe from Johnson Controls in Milwaukee. Later that day White’s Harley-Davidson in Lebanon, PA lent a pair of 2007 motorcycles to Crowe and Ed Winterhalder, the author of “Out In Bad Standings", for the weekend. Lancaster NBC TV8 was there to catch Crowe riding away on his Harley rental.

Friday evening, everyone enjoyed dinner at The Bar-B-Que Pit in Wernersville, PA, where a crowd gathered for all the excitement in hopes of being caught by the camera. Saturday morning, July 27th, the traffic was slow due to the pack of nearly one hundred Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club members on their motorcycles heading for White’s Harley-Davidson. When they arrived at White’s the pack was welcomed by a live band and a crowd of more than 500 people. Inside of White’s, Dennis Fritz, the author of “Journey to Justice” was greeting fans and signing books, and Harrisburg ABC TV27 was interviewing all of the celebrities involved in the event.

On Saturday night the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club had a party at their clubhouse for area bikers at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Reading. On Sunday, July 28th the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club held a picnic at Blue Falls Grove for the Iraqi war veterans and their families. There was a live band and plenty of food as Reading ABC TV69 stopped by to capture the moment. Reading’s own, Frank 107.5 was there to show their appreciation for our veterans as well. As this weekend comes to a close, post production is anxious to begin. The television pilot for “Living on the Edge: Riding With The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club in Pennsylvania” as a full length DVD, is scheduled to hit the shelves in your nearest entertainment store around the holiday season.

Iraq, Afghan Veterans Honored By Their Vietnam Counterparts

This is a newspaper article from “The Reading Eagle” that appeared today in Reading, PA:

About 300 people attend an appreciation picnic held by a statewide motorcycle club in Ontelaunee Township.

Berks County, PA - Veterans of an unpopular war from the past honored those from another unpopular conflict Sunday at Blue Falls Grove in Ontelaunee Township.

The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania sponsored the picnic to show their appreciation for local Iraqi and Afghan war veterans and their families, said Bruce “Fuzz” Terreson, state president of the club.

“We are all military,” said Terreson, 58. “If you don’t support the war that’s fine, but don’t let the troops down. They are doing their job.”











At the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania picnic are,
from left, Bruce 'Fuzz' Terreson, Robesonia, club president; Iraq
war veteran Gaelan Sabatini, address unavailable; and Vietnam
War veteran James Graf, Philadelphia.

Despite the rainy, humid weather, about 300 people attended the picnic, including veterans from other wars and members of the public.

Still, the turnout wasn’t as great as expected because of the weather, so the club donated extra food to a homeless shelter, Terreson said.

The club had been planning the event for veterans and their families for about a month, he said.

“We want to show them we appreciate (their service) and we’ll do what we can for them,” Terreson said.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Two Authors, Film Crew Create Excitement

This is a newspaper article from "The Patriot-News" that appeared today in Harrisburg, PA:

2 Authors, Film Crew Create Excitement

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

There will be lots of excitement between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday at White's Harley-Davidson Buell, Lebanon, where guests will include the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club, two authors and a film crew for a new TV reality show, "Living on the Edge."

The club will be at White's to attend a book signing by Dennis Fritz, author of "Journey Toward Justice," and Edward Winterhalder, author of "Out in Bad Standings: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club."

Fritz's book chronicles his story of being imprisoned 12 years as co-conspirator in a 1982 Oklahoma murder he did not commit and being freed in 1999 through DNA testing. The story of Ron Williamson, wrongly accused in the same rape and murder, is the subject of John Grisham's first nonfiction book, "The Innocent Man." (Movie rights have been reportedly sold to George Clooney, with production scheduled to begin next year.)

Winterhalder, who had been a leader in the Bandidos until 2003, is executive producer of "Living on the Edge," and the concept grew out of his book. They are filming the pilot themselves, having turned down several offers from the producer of "American Choppers," and plan to auction it to TV networks in the U.S. and abroad, Winterhalder said.

As part of the pilot episode, the TV crew will film the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club throughout the week, also in the Reading and Philadelphia areas.

The show features a corporate personality or celebrity who will be involved in the lives of motorcycle club members at their homes, jobs and communities. In this segment, Michael Crowe, a corporate executive of Johnson Controls, Milwaukee, will be the guest of the Vets Motorcycle club, according to Bruce "Fuzz" Terreson of Sinking Spring, state president of the club.

The public is invited to attend the event, and the authors' books will be available for purchase. Food and entertainment are planned.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

FREE PICNIC FOR IRAQI & AFGHANI WAR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO BE FILMED FOR TELEVISION/DVD REALITY SHOW

Reading, PA – July 19, 2007 - Southeastern Pennsylvania area Iraqi and Afghani war veterans and their immediate families are invited to a picnic, to be held in their honor, at the Blue Falls Grove & Water Park on Bowers Road, off of Rt. 73 between Hwy 61 and Rt. 222, on the north side of Reading, from noon until 5:00pm on Sunday July 29th.

The public is also invited to attend the picnic, which is being organized by the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania, to personally thank the war veterans for their sacrifice. Non-Iraqi and non-Afghani war veterans and the public can eat for only $5 per person, which will help cover event expenses; non-alcoholic drinks are not included in the $5 charge, but will be available for purchase. All children under 6 eat for free. There will be no charge to the Iraqi and Afghani war veterans for their food and drinks.

For this event, discounted access passes to the Blue Falls pool will be available at the water park entrance for $5, and discounted access passes to the pool and slide will be available for $10. Iraqi and Afghani war veterans will be admitted to the pool and slide for free. You can learn more about the Blue Falls Grove & Water Park, and get directions to the facility, at: http://www.bluefallsgrove.com/.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad and cookies will be served from noon until 2:00pm or until the food is gone; drinks will be available until 5:00pm. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring their own chairs and small tables.

Merchants are also encouraged to participate as sponsors by calling Vietnam Vets MC spokesman Fuzz Terreson at 610-693-6863. All Iraqi and Afghani war veterans attending are asked to call any of the following numbers to confirm their attendance: 610-378-5601 ext. 8152 or ext. 8153 or ext 8154.

Part of an episode for the “Living On The Edge” television reality show will be filmed during the picnic. For this new Harley-themed show the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be the primary focus of the cameras. Crews will be filming in the Reading area for close to one week.

Each episode of “Living On The Edge” will feature a corporate personality or celebrity who will be infused into the lives of various motorcycle club members, spending time with the members’ families, at their jobs, and in the communities they live.

For the Vietnam Vets episode, Mr. Terreson said that corporate executive Michael Crowe will appear as a guest of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club. At the picnic, Crowe will be presenting the first 200 Iraqi and Afghani war veterans with a complimentary copy of a best selling book; either a copy of “Journey Towards Justice” by Dennis Fritz or “Out In Bad Standings” by Edward Winterhalder.

Authors Fritz and Winterhalder have accepted invitations to appear at the picnic and will autograph their respective books for the war veterans. Copies of their books will also be on hand for sale to the public.Fritz spent 12 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison through DNA testing in 1999, his remarkable story is also the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster “The Innocent Man”. The movie rights for Grisham’s book have been sold to Hollywood star George Clooney. Production is scheduled to begin in 2008.

Winterhalder, a high ranking world leader of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club until his departure from the club in 2003, is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs. In addition to “Out In Bad Standings” he is a contributing author to “The Mammoth Book of Bikers” and the Executive Producer of the “Living On The Edge” TV show.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Harley Dealer To Be Filmed As Part Of The "Living On The Edge" TV/DVD Reality Show Pilot

This past week we finally put the finishing touches on Edward Winterhalder's MySpace Page, Larry Pearson from the Judge Parker Band dropped in to visit for a few hours and this Press Release from White's Harley-Davidson in Lebanon, PA, was distributed to the media:

LOCAL HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER TO BE FILMED FOR SEGMENT OF NEW TELEVISION REALITY SHOW WHILE HOSTING A BOOK SIGNING

Lebanon, PA – July 15, 2007 - Harley riders and the public are invited to hang out while TV camera crews film the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club and their entourage at White’s Harley-Davidson & Buell, 1515 East Cumberland Street in Lebanon, on Saturday, July 28th, from 1pm until 4pm.

The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be at White’s to attend a book signing there by famed authors Dennis Fritz and Edward Winterhalder. While the Vietnam Vets are visiting White’s, part of an episode for the new “Living On The Edge” television reality show will be filmed.

For this pilot episode of the Harley-themed show, the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania will be the primary focus of the cameras. Camera crews will be filming the Vietnam Vets in the Reading, Lebanon and Philly areas for close to one week.

Each episode of “Living On The Edge” will feature a corporate personality or celebrity who will be infused into the lives of various motorcycle club members, spending time with the members’ families, at their jobs, and in the communities they live.

For this episode, Vietnam Vets spokesman Bruce “Fuzz” Terreson said that corporate executive Michael Crowe, from Milwaukee, will appear as a guest of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club.

The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club, along with Mr. Crowe and their entourage, will be riding into White’s, where Mr. Fritz and Mr. Winterhalder will be autographing copies of their books for the public starting at 1pm.

Fritz’s book “Journey Towards Justice” and Winterhalder’s “Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club” are both currently best sellers in their genre. Copies of their books will be on hand for sale to the public.

Fritz spent 12 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison through DNA testing in 1999, his remarkable story is also the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster “The Innocent Man”. The movie rights for Grisham’s book have been sold to Hollywood star George Clooney and production is scheduled to begin in 2008.

Winterhalder, a high-ranking world leader of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club until his departure from the club in 2003, is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs. In addition to “Out In Bad Standings”, he is a contributing author of “The Mammoth Book of Bikers” (to be released worldwide September 2007) and the Executive Producer of the “Living On The Edge” TV show.

Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Lebanon Valley, White's has been family owned and operated since 1953 when J. Herman White and his wife, Marion, started the business in a Lebanon garage. Currently owned by Joe White, the dealership expects hundreds of people to turn out for this once in a lifetime opportunity to possibly appear on a television show and to meet the authors.

Monday, July 2, 2007

"Living On The Edge" Reality TV Show Pilot Gets Green Light

Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club spokesman Bruce "Fuzz" Terreson announced today that the Pilot for the "Living On The Edge" TV reality show will be filmed in Pennsylvania later this month. Mr. Terreson also confirmed that members of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club will be the primary focus of this Harley themed show, and that corporate executive Michael Crowe will be the personality appearing as a guest of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.

In this episode of "Living On The Edge", Mr. Crowe will be injected into the lives of various Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club members, spending time with their families, at their jobs, and in the communities in which they live. The Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, with Mr. Crowe riding along, will attend some motorcycle related events in the area and host a cookout for Iraqi war veterans.

Dennis Fritz, author of "Journey Towards Justice", and Edward Winterhalder, author of "Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club - The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty" and contributing author for "The Mammoth Book of Bikers", have also accepted invitations to appear with Crowe and the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club at the cookout.

Mr. Fritz spent 12 years wrongfully imprisoned in Oklahoma for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison by DNA testing in 1999 by famed attorney Barry Sheck's Innocence Project, his remarkable story is the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster titled "The Innocent Man". The movie rights for "An Innocent Man" have been sold to George Clooney; the film is now in pre-production and expected to film in early 2008.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Never A Dull Moment Here At Blockhead City

A few days ago, Steve Murphy, who is the Executive Producer & Host of the MSNBC television show "Insider Exclusive", a Senior Producer of the "SkyRadio Network" (Talk Radio for all of the major airlines) and the Executive Producer & Host of the nationwide radio talk show "Law Business Insider", had a very interesting conversation with our resident celebrity biker, Edward Winterhalder. It seems that Mr. Murphy is extremely interested in interviewing Mr. Winterhalder soon for a segment to be aired on either the "Insider Exclusive" and/or the "Law Business Insider" in early fall.

We have also been very busy around here trying to work out the details for the filming of the Pilot for the "Living On The Edge" television reality series, which has now been funded. We hope to start filming in late July, but it is a little premature to announce the motorcycle club that has committed, or to name the corporate executive personality we intend to inject into the club members' lives; suffice it to say, you won't be disappointed, so stay tuned for more information about this soon.....

The advertising campaign for "The Mammoth Book of Bikers" is rapidly making its' way all over the world. You can now see ads for the book in almost every country in the world, in almost every language:

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Denmark, Sweden, Norway & Finland

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Germany

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - England

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Wal-Mart Worldwide

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - USA

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - France

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Canada

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Japan

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Netherlands

More about other Winterhalder Books

Sunday, June 10, 2007

2007 Book Expo America in New York City

Last weekend biker celebrity Edward Winterhalder (author of "Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club; The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty", contributing author of "The Mammoth Book of Bikers" and co-author of "The Assimilation") was at the annual Book Expo America (BEA), which was held this year at the Jacob Javitts Convention Center in New York City. Winterhalder, along with his friend Dennis Fritz, author of the best seller "Journey Towards Justice", were the guests of Seven Locks Press Publisher Jim Riordan; also appearing at the BEA this year were James Patterson and Stephen Colbert.

While attending the BEA, Mr. Winterhalder spent some time visiting with Stephanie Esposito, who is a Producer for Court TV USA; Stacey Fincher and Molly Young from Pat Robertson's 700 Club; Jack David and Simon Ware from premiere independent Canadian Publisher ECW Press (who will publish "The Assimilation" in the spring of 2008, Edward's new book with famed Canadian motorcycle journalist Wil DeClercq); and Will Balliett, CEO of Carroll & Graf, who is the distributor of "The Mammoth Book of Bikers" for Constable & Robinson of London, England (which is a compilation of famous biker stories by some of the world's best biker authors, set to be released in September of 2007).

Edward also spent some time with the 81 yr old son of famed composer George Gershwin, Alan Gershwin; Mandy Berry from the University of Oklahoma Press, where Mr. Winterhalder got to meet famed fellow Oklahoma author S. E. Hinton ("The Outsiders"); literary agent Kevan Lyons from the Dijkstra Agency; and Producers Peter Bjornson and Marco Bresba from Canada's CHUM Television. CHUM TV cameramen spent more than an hour filming Mr. Winterhalder, at the Seven Locks Press booth and the ECW Press booth, for an upcoming segment of Canada's Book TV, which will appear in the fall of 2007.

Author/TV Biker Celebrity Available For Personal Appearances

A Press Release from May 15, 2007:

Edward Winterhalder, author of the current best selling biker book "Out In Bad Standings" (distributed by American Publisher Seven Locks Press and published by Blockhead City Press) and co-executive producer of a new nonfiction TV reality series about motorcycle clubs called "Living On The Edge," is now represented by APA, which is one of the largest and oldest talent agencies in the country.

During your event, Winterhalder is available to mingle with your guests, take part in organized rides, do book signings, hang out at evening socials, do event hosting or whatever else you may have in mind. Steve Lassiter (known for his association with other high profile Harley loving celebrities like Travis Tritt & Billy Ray Cyrus, and an avid Harley rider himself) will be the agent to contact concerning Winterhalder's personal appearances; Steve can be reached at 615-297-0100 or slassiter@apanashville.com.

Winterhalder, who was a Bandidos Motorcycle Club high-ranking world leader until his departure from the club in late 2003, is now a leading authority on motorcycle clubs. The patchover of Canada's Rock Machine into the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, which was overseen by Winterhalder, is a critical part of a new book that will be released this fall by London book publisher Constable & Robinson, titled "The Mammoth Book of Bikers", which is edited by famed Australian motorcycle club authority Dr. Arthur Veno.

Winterhalder is also the co-author of a new book on motorcycle clubs titled "The Assimilation," which is scheduled for release by Canadian Publisher ECW Press in the spring of 2008, and the co-author of an academic book about the psychology, criminology and sociology aspects of motorcycle gang members for students and faculty of the college world, which is expected to be released in the summer of 2008.

You can see more about Winterhalder, by going to any of the following links:

Living On The Edge TV Show

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Wal-Mart Worldwide

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - USA

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - France

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Canada

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Japan

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Netherlands

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Denmark, Sweden, Norway & Finland

The Mammoth Book of Bikers - Germany

Google Search = Edward Winterhalder

Winterhalder Books

APA Agency

USA Book Publisher Seven Locks Press

Canadian Book Publisher ECW Press

Book Review Printed from the International Journal of Motorcycle Studies

By Don Hennigan

From November of 2006

Motorcycle travel books are an established genre, from Robert Edison Fulton, Jr.'s One Man Caravan to Alan Noren's Storm. Such books written by women, however, are still relatively rare. Karen Larsen's book Breaking the Limit recounts "one woman's journey" from Princeton, New Jersey to Alaska and back, on "Lucy," a used Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster, modified with a larger gas tank and windshield. While it might be argued that most motorcycle travel books emphasize the adventures and dangers, Larsen does, at least in part, the reverse: she is intent on demystifying motorcycle travel for non-riders while invoking all its pleasures.

Traditionally books about motorcycle clubs are written by outsiders who ride for a time with the club or by members who have left the club. Out in Bad Standings is written by a member who has left the Bandidos Motorcycle Club "in good standings" but soon had his status changed to "out in bad standings" after El Presidente George Weger realized how much Ed "Connecticut Ed" Winterhalder truly knew about the club. Motorcycle club descriptions usually focus on the negative aspects of a particular club, such as Thompson's Hell's Angels or Daniel Wolf's The Rebels. Violence, or the promise of violence, is always a centerpiece of these books.

Winterhalder offers a somewhat different approach in his book. He was a well-respected member of the Bandidos before he left, and his book reflects that relationship and his respect for the years he spent with the club. The book covers the period from 1999 through 2005 and Winterhalder's attempt to assimilate the club Rock Machine into the Bandidos with all of the violence and death reported in an impersonal and matter of fact manner. Weger wanted this time to be seen as a reform movement in the Bandidos' history, but unfortunately the book ends with Weger and others being indicted on conspiracy charges.

Connecticut Ed explores the six-year period that starts with Weger's appointment, his expressed desire to reform the club, Winterhalder's efforts in that reform movement, and the eventual failure of the attempt to clean up the club's image. Weger did manage to change some of the traditions that were used to express love for one's brother such as pissing on the new members to instill a feeling of acceptance and the beatings meant to build solidarity among members or to maintain discipline.

Winterhalder does a good job of giving readers a detailed peek inside one of the world's most notorious motorcycle clubs. The book examines the prospect's experiences, why the prospect period is used, and all of the other details that a future member is expected to know. Indeed, instructions on proper etiquette toward patch holders are taken right out of the Bandidos' membership book. The Bandidos' by-laws are also included to illuminate club responsibilities and the day-to-day workings of the club.

As an alternate way of evaluating the manuscript, I shared it with a couple of friends who are members of what the mainstream media would undoubtedly identify as outlaw clubs, and both of them were surprised that Winterhalder had included the by-laws. Each club has its own by-laws and their own constitution, which they guard as their secret to success and their code of ethics tailored to meet the needs of a particular group; it is unfathomable to members that a person would be so blatant in disregarding this traditional taboo. Printing the by-laws for the public to read is the one thing that could cost Winterhalder a great deal, unless the "out in bad standings" is all smoke and mirrors, and Connecticut Ed actually had permission to share them.

Winterhalder also goes into detail about the secret dealings between clubs, especially between the Hells Angels and the Bandidos. Agreements to not invade another club's territory or to interfere with the workings of the other club are seldom honored since there does not appear to be any honor between enemies in the realm of outlaw motorcycle clubs. Winterhalder gives the impression that the Bandidos are always the victims of violence that is precipitated against them, mostly by their arch nemesis, the Hells Angels. The history of the media sensationalizing crimes committed by bikers is so complete that all readers should be leery of any discussions of violence.

In the case of Out in Bad Standings, it's not Winterhalder's focus on violence against the Bandidos that raises questions but the lopsided nature of that discussion. The Bandidos are portrayed as hardworking, honest, family men who are killed for absolutely no reasons that the Bandidos can explain. Knowing the reputation of the Bandidos, the reader has to decide whether the Bandits are innocent or if the whole story of inter-club rivalry is being reported.
At times, the book reads like a log kept by riders about the trips they have taken and about the people they have met along the way, and it challenges the reader's endurance.

At other times, however, the book has the feel of being taken straight from the minutes of club meetings and delivers a sense of authenticity that is largely missing from similar exposes. Indeed, Out in Bad Standings gives the reader the sense that the Bandidos are similar to other motorcycle clubs despite their reputation of being one of the most feared motorcycle clubs in the world.

Out in Bad Standings can also be used as a template for starting a motorcycle club. The Bandidos are an example of a successful motorcycle club, and Winterhalder gives the public a wide-open view of the club's inner workings. The reader gets the impression that Winterhalder is either still a member, though he is reported to be out, or he is trying to curry favor with the club. Whichever it is, Out in Bad Standings will undoubtedly cash in on the recent rising interest in motorcycle clubs.

As a source of information about outlaw clubs, Out in Bad Standings also provides a wealth of knowledge about the organization and its dealings and politics with the outlaw world through the eyes of a well-placed ex-member. Winterhalder does not write in the traditional manner that is associated with subjects of this importance, but if one can get through the intricate first-person accounts, Out in Bad Standings is a good primary source. The book will contribute to our knowledge of the Bandidos and help fill in gaps in our knowledge of outlaw culture in general.

Oklahoma Author Invited To The 23rd Annual Love Ride In California As A Celebrity Guest

A Press Release from November 18, 2006:

Oklahoma based Edward Winterhalder, author of a best selling book on motorcycle gangs titled “Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club – The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty”, has just returned from California where he was an invited celebrity guest for the 23rd annual Love Ride. The Love Ride is the largest one day event for motorcyclists in North America, this year attracting more than 20,000 registered motorcycle riders for a thirty-five mile motorcycle procession from Glendale Harley Davidson to Castaic Lake Park on November 12, 2006.

Along with such major stars like Robert Patrick (star of the current CBS show “TheUnit” and the Clint Eastwood movie “Flags Of Our Fathers”), Mickey Jones (“Home Improvement” star), Peter Fonda and late night talk show host Jay Leno, Winterhalder donated his name, presence, signature and copies of his book as a celebrity to encourage attendees to participate in the event. Although final figures were not available at the end of the event, the 23rd annual Love Ride reportedly raised more than $1,000,000 for the benefit of multiple charities that included Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cure Society of America and Operation Hope.

Winterhalder’s book, published by Blockhead City Press (ISBN 0977174700), details the establishment and recent growth of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club in Canada, Europe and Oklahoma, and is one of the best selling, self-published hardcover books of 2006. This historical expose of the Bandidos organization gives the reader a rare look into the secret world of today’s 1%er motorcycle gangs, and is a must read for every Harley rider.

Self-Publishing Dreams Can Come True: Gang Book Sales On Fire

A Press Release from May 1, 2006:

It is not often that a self-published hardcover book sells a thousand copies, but a small press in Owasso, OK has done just that and more in less than six months.

Blockhead City Press today announced that their first title, “OUT IN BAD STANDINGS: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club – The Making of a Worldwide Dynasty”, was recently ranked at # 41 on the Barnes & Noble bookstore’s website, indicating that the book was one of their best selling titles this month. Since its’ release in November 2005, “Out In Bad Standings” has now sold more than five thousand copies, to book readers in almost every country in the World.

When ex-motorcycle gang leader Edward Winterhalder set out to find a publisher for his memoirs, he thought that locating a literary agent and book publisher for his project would be a simple task. After all, it wasn’t as though hundreds of books had already been written on the subject. On the contrary, this was a subject on which less than twenty-five books had ever been written, and of those twenty-five books, most all of had been written by an outsider or journalist.

However, as many writers realize, finding a literary agent and/or publisher willing to work with a novice author is a daunting task. Failing in his quest to find an agent or publisher, but not willing to give up, Mr. Winterhalder established Blockhead City Press to facilitate his dream becoming reality. The result was a top quality, four hundred forty-eight page hardcover book that contains more than one hundred seventy thousand words and one hundred color photographs.

Detailing the establishment and growth of a motorcycle gang organization in Canada, Europe and Oklahoma, this expose of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club is arguably the finest history book ever written on the subject of the United States motorcycle gangs. A perfect compliment for the history section of any library worldwide, “OUT IN BAD STANDINGS” gives the reader a rare look into the world of today’s 1%er motorcycle clubs.

“OUT IN BAD STANDINGS” ($29.95 – ISBN 0977174700) is now available at all Barnes & Noble bookstores (United States), all B Dalton bookstores (United States), Amazon.com (worldwide), Ebay.com (worldwide), all Chapters bookstores (Canada) and all Coles bookstores (Canada).

Best Selling Book Takes You Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Gang

A Press Release from March 1, 2006:

Written by leading motorcycle gang expert Edward “Connecticut Ed” Winterhalder, “Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club – The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty” is the first book ever written on the world’s second largest international biker gang. Commonly known as hard core 1%ers, the lives of the members of motorcycle gangs such as the Bandidos, Hells Angels, Outlaws, Pagans, Sons of Silence and the Mongols have until now been a closely guarded secret.

Rapidly rising through the ranks of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club in the late 90’s, Winterhalder was one of the most powerful Bandidos in the world at the end of the twentieth century. During the apex of his club career, “Connecticut Ed” was regularly assigned important projects, like organizing and establishing new Bandido chapters worldwide, by the international leader of the Bandidos, George Wegers.

In June of 2005 Mr. Wegers was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington State on Racketeering, Violent Crimes In Aid Of Racketeering, Possessing Stolen Motorcycle Parts, Conspiracy To Murder and Intimidation Of Witness charges. Arrested with more than 20 other Bandidos members (including two chapter Presidents, two National Enforcers, and one National Vice President), Mr. Wegers’ has recently plead guilty and will be sentenced in September 2006.

One of the larger projects Winterhalder oversaw was the establishment of the organization in Canada in 2001. The politics surrounding such an event would rival any government election and would test all the skills that Winterhalder had acquired in his civilian life as a business entrepreneur. In June of 2002 “Connecticut Ed” designated as the Canadian National President for the Bandidos, Ontario member John “Boxer” Muscedere, who was murdered in April of 2006 along with seven other members of the Bandidos Toronto chapter.

Detailing the establishment and recent growth of the Bandidos organization in Canada, Europe and Oklahoma, this historical expose of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club gives the reader a rare look into the secret world of today’s 1%er motorcycle clubs, allowing the reader a unique opportunity to ride along as the Bandidos become the dominant international force they are today.

Published by Blockhead City Press ($29.95 – ISBN 0977174700), this 448 page hardcover book contains more than 170,000 words and is a must read for every Harley rider on the planet. “Out In Bad Standings” is now available through Barnes

& Noble, Barnes & Noble College, Borders, B. Dalton or Baker & Taylor (in the United States); Amazon.com or Ebay.com (worldwide); Chapters, Coles or WhiteHots (in Canada); and can be ordered through most other bookstores in North America.

Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, The Largest Biker Gang In The World

A Press Release from January 1, 2006:

Rapidly rising through the ranks of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club in the late 90’s, Edward “Connecticut Ed” Winterhalder was one of the most powerful Bandidos in the world at the end of the twentieth century.

Since founding the Oklahoma chapter of the Bandidos in early 1997, “Connecticut Ed” had been regularly assigned important projects by the worldwide leader of the Bandidos, George Wegers. It was not unusual for Winterhalder to organize and establish new Bandido chapters, as well as Bandidos support club chapters, all over the world.

But when assigned the unwanted responsibility of overseeing the Bandidos’ assimilation of a Canadian motorcycle gang known as the Rock Machine in early 2001, “Connecticut Ed” found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.

Teaching ex-Rock Machine members how to be Bandidos was one thing, but doing so while dodging bullets and bombs was another. The new Canadian Bandidos, as members of the Rock Machine, had been embroiled in a deadly war with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in which 168 people had died since 1994.

Commonly known as hard core biker gangs, the inner workings of motorcycle clubs such as the Bandidos, the Hells Angels, the Outlaws, the Pagans, the Sons of Silence, and the Mongols have until now been a closely guarded secret.

Determined to set the record straight after leaving the club in late 2003 and as a form of therapy, Winterhalder spent almost two years transcribing the memories of his life. Ultimately, his memoirs evolved into a dynamic book called “OUT IN BAD STANDINGS: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club – The Making Of A Worldwide Dynasty”.

Detailing the establishment and growth of the Bandidos organization in Canada, Europe and Oklahoma, this historical expose of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club gives the reader a rare look into the world of today’s 1%er motorcycle gangs, allowing the reader a unique opportunity to ride along as the Bandidos become the dominant international force they are today.

Published by Blockhead City Press ($29.95), this 448 page hardcover book contains more than 150 color photographs and sports a dynamic dust cover jacket. “Out In Bad Standings” is available through Barnes & Noble bookstores in the United States, Amazon.com worldwide, Ebay.com worldwide & some Chapters bookstores in Canada, and is a must read for every Harley rider on the planet.