Summary of Dale Arenson's HANGMEN

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 The sixties were a time of radicalism in just about every way. The Hangmen were known for their cool, state of the art Choppers. The fashion of the bikes was crucial, and they took it very seriously.

#2 The original choppers were built to be fast. They were stripped down from the original Harleys or Indians with all of the junk on them. The more challenging the bike was to ride, the tougher the man riding it.

#3 The bikes that I bought from the Harley dealer were a delight. They were well-tuned and smooth, and I could turn on the key switch and push down the kick-starter with my hand like a downward punch. It would fire right up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: May 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822525566

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The sixties were a time of radicalism in just about every way. The Hangmen were known for their cool, state of the art Choppers. The fashion of the bikes was crucial, and they took it very seriously.

#2

The original choppers were built to be fast. They were stripped down from the original Harleys or Indians with all of the junk on them. The more challenging the bike was to ride, the tougher the man riding it.

#3

The bikes that I bought from the Harley dealer were a delight. They were well-tuned and smooth, and I could turn on the key switch and push down the kick-starter with my hand like a downward punch. It would fire right up.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

I had been best friends with Don, a guy who rode a motorcycle, since we were kids. We went to the movies a lot together, and I wanted to be like him. We got into occasional fights, and I saw his style: winning. He was so good that when the shit got started, he didn’t need my help.

#2

I had always wanted a Harley, and in 1968, I finally found the bike I needed. It was in one piece, and it was running. I was 17 years old. The sound, the weight, the feel, and the throbbing vibration were magical.

#3

I bought a Harley, and Don invited me to join the Hangmen. I met Gremlin for the first time in the Anaheim High School parking lot, behind an apartment building, and Uncle Tom below them.

Insights from Chapter 3

#1

I was with the Hangmen for the ride to Big Bear. It was awesome riding with a pack of real bikers. I loved it. The higher we went, the cooler it got, and the more beautiful the scenery.

#2

I wanted to be a Brother of the Hangmen, I wanted to be like them and belong. I looked up to these guys like they were older brothers. They were tough, charismatic, fearless, and fun-loving.

#3

The Hangmen made it clear that I was on my own when I was around other clubs. They would not get the club into a fight or a war with another club over a hang around kid if someone decided to beat me up or steal my motorcycle.

Insights from Chapter 4

#1

The year started with a bang; I spent more time hanging out with the club. One evening, I was at a bar with Lurch and some of the Hangmen and Cypress Crew down in Santa Ana. I might have splurged on one beer, but we needed to get going since Lurch’s bike was down.

#2

I was riding my bike when I was hit by a car. I suffered two fractured vertebrae, lumbar L4 and L5, a couple of broken ribs, and a broken shoulder socket. But no cuts or scrapes, no blood.

#3

The