The Brotherhoods

'You and the machine become one. It gets to the point on the edge of a hard ride where there is a balance between taking your machine further and a fear of dying. Managing that space is real freedom' .

Bikies consider themselves 'the last free people in society', unconstrained by the regulations that rule ordinary citizens. And they guard their privacy jealously. Arthur Veno's account of bikie culture is as close to firsthand as is ever likely to be published. Australia's leading expert on the bikie scene, Veno reveals the true picture of the brotherhoods. Drawing on in-depth interviews, personal stories and years of meticulous research, he explains the rules and rituals of becoming a club member, tells of landmark incidents in bikie folklore, profiles some famous biker identities and, in the final chapter, takes off with the Gypsy Jokers on their controversial New Year run in Western Australia.