Superb book ruined by muppet voices

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend the book to a friend, but a print copy. The audiobook narration has me cursing like an outlaw biker as I listen to the many muppet-sounding voices used for the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Unknown Mongol?

Good coverage of prospecting. Don't want to give anything away.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He should have just read the book without interjecting the extremely distracting voices that sound more like muppets than outlaw bikers. This surely must be nearly the most worthless performance I have ever heard in an audiobook. It is a constant distraction. Constant.

If you could give The Unknown Mongol a new subtitle, what would it be?

If you've ever wanted to hear the Fraggles play the part of motorcycle gang outlaws, this is your audiobook!

Any additional comments?

Please get a new narrator to re-record this book.

13 people found this helpful

amazing and drags you in

loved it i was hooked listened to it in one day. the reader was perfect for this roll

10 people found this helpful

Genuine Insight into the 1%'er World

Scott Junior Erickson provided a very honest, and informative, view of the Mongols MC as it grew to international outreach during the '80s and '90s. Reference is made to many names well known to followers of the "biker genre", though throughout the book, when referring to club members, Junior was careful to use only road names and, in other cases, changed those. For example, in other sources, Roger Pinney is identified as the National President prior to the infamous Ruben "Doc" Cavazos. Where does Junior's tenure fit in?

With Junior's incarceration in 1998, the story comes all too quickly to an end. 1998 saw the beginning of William "Billy" Queen's infiltration of the Mongols and, in 2002, the fight with the Hells Angels in Laughlin, Nevada. I would really like to have heard Junior's take on both of those incidents. And, if my math is right and assuming Junior served out all 14 years of his sentence, he should be free and must certainly have some thoughts on where the club has been going through in the last 15 years. I would welcome his insight and I hope that there will be further volume forthcoming.

The only complaint I have is a minor one. The narrator does a great job with many of the voices, but Junior's voice is that of an extremely young man, not one old before his years, heavy with a lifetime's worth of experience. To me the narrative would've better served the narrative with a little older, tougher interpretive voice.

Through out the book, Junior is intelligent, articulate and brutally honest, not sugar coating his own (or his club's) indiscretions and brushes with the law. Junior is a man fighting to adhere to a strict code of personal pride, loyalty and devotion club and brothers. An excellent addition to the genre and a book I would happily recommend to anyone seeking an insider's view of a world closed off to most citizens.

7 people found this helpful

might be best biker book ever

Great book, It is very close to the best if not the best with Sonny Bardger's Hells Angels. Both were criminals but geniuses. Imagine what they could have done if they both put their efforts to good use. Although being a Biker is Bad ASS!!!

5 people found this helpful

One of the best of its kind

Where does The Unknown Mongol rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have read or listened to many motorcycle club/gang novels and this was one of the best. Most biker books spend time trying to tell you how tough they are, how they kicked ass, and how they are always number one. This book took a much more personal journey. Yes this books has sex drugs and violence, but that is not the driving point page after page. People make chooses for all sorts of reasons. I'm not here to judge Scott Junior Ereckson for his crimes, but he is the kind of straight up dude you would want as a brother and a friend.

I will pass the book on for those who wonder what its like being on the inside of such an organization.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Unknown Mongol?

How Scott tries to deal with home life VS club lie

Which scene was your favorite?

Scott's patch in. He showed real emotion and how much it means to earn your colors.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Scott's patch in. He showed real emotion and how much it means to earn your colors.

Any additional comments?

The reader was good but maybe not the best choice for this book. Could have used a bit deeper voice with a little grit.

5 people found this helpful

Cool little glimpse into the 1%er lifestyle

Pretty interesting book. Nothing that is shocking as to what experiences Junior had throughout his life but enjoyable to see how it all played out. I found myself emotionally invested in certain parts so it obviously got my attention. I think I finished the book in 3 sittings. I don't recall ever thinking to myself "come on, move along with the story" so the pace and content was excellent throughout.

Narration was great although the voices used for other characters in the book were distracting; So off the wall to the point that I was paying more attention to them than the words they were saying.

Definitely a recommended read/listen.

3 people found this helpful

A glimpse into the 1%

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If Outlaw biker gangs are brought up in a conversation, I would. Otherwise it's not one I would just tell anyone about.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Hays’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. Very comparable. I really enjoyed his narrations for Stress Patterns and Interstate Dreams. Some folks in the reviews before me commented about how he made the Outlaws and in particular, Junior sound young and immature. I suggest you check out interviews with Junior on youtube. Junior really sounds like that. Not like the gravel macho voice you would expect from a man that looks the very image of an dangerous outlaw biker.

What else would you have wanted to know about Scott Junior Ereckson’s life?

This book spends a lot of time on minor events and glancing over the major ones. I don't know if Junior simply didn't want to share more, couldn't remember more because of drugs or club loyalty.

2 people found this helpful

Entertaining

What did you like best about The Unknown Mongol? What did you like least?

The narration was pretty good, he reminded me of Wil Wheaton

Any additional comments?

It was entertaining, certainly not a book you needed to think hard about. After reading this book and searching the news, there is obviously alot of detail that has been left out.

2 people found this helpful

Just another story

I would rate it has a fair read I definitely wouldn't recommend the bookalthough if this is your first story about the Mongols I guess it's OK

1 person found this helpful

badaas book

recommend this book/audio,,100%interesting,,,very,very interesting,,being that I'm from dago,,wow.think I'm gonna reread it.like it,a must read

1 person found this helpful