Born to Be Wild

“This book is at once a social history of the motorcycle and a provocation for rethinking the political realignments of the second half of the twentieth century. A rich sense of contradiction and a deep understanding of how political struggle can inflect the same slogans and themes with widely divergent meanings together elevate this book beyond a useful and interesting study of a hobby into a profound rumination on the role of culture in political life.” — George Lipsitz, University of California, Santa Barbara

“Born to Be Wild offers the definitive history of motorcycling in post@–World War II America. Drawing on meticulous primary research with great nuance and depth, Randy McBee provides a compelling and valuable corrective to books and films that have exploited minor, salacious incidents sparked by a minority of motorcyclists. His book will be an indispensable resource for scholars of motorcycling. Given its sustained attention to the complexities of gender, race, class, and ethnicity, Born to Be Wild should also be required reading for historians, sociologists, transportation enthusiasts, and those simply curious about this transformative period in American culture.” — Steven Alford and Suzanne Ferriss, authors of Motorcycle

“A comprehensive work of cultural history told from the American road.” — Wall Street Journal

“Bikers, obviously, will rumble for this book, but they're not its only audience. Historians and pop-culture fans could also find Born to Be Wild is the best thing off two tires.” — Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez

“A great book that is accessible to bikers and college American culture professors alike.” — Pennsylvania Literary Journal

“Fascinating, very well written, and full of interesting stories, facts and photos. . . . For anyone doing research on, or having a general interest in, the culture of motorcycles and their riders.” — CHOICE

“This book deserves a place in every college and university library and on the shelves of everyone interested in American political, social, and cultural history.” — The Historian