Prodigal Father, Pagan Son

A chronicle of growing up in the Philadelphia chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club—“One of the most extraordinary true-crime autobiographies” (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Winner of the USA Book News National Book Award for Best Nonfiction True Crime and Best Memoir/Autobiography

“A down-and-dirty memoir that should appeal to readers of such books as Sonny Barger’s Hell’s Angel . . . and Hunter Thompson’s classic Hell’s Angels.” —Kirkus Reviews

By the time he was thirteen, he already had attended thirteen funerals. Abandoned by his mother, and with his father, “Mangy” Menginie—president of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, Philadelphia chapter—in jail, Anthony “LT” Menginie is raised inside the Pagans and inducted into a life of sex, violence, drugs, and organized crime.

In Mangy's absence, LT finds a father figure in the Saint, a club member who helps teach him the difference between the club members you respect—and those you fear. When Mangy is released from jail, tries to resume his role as father and president, and then betrays the club by going over to the rival Hells Angels, LT must decide where his loyalties lie.

Prodigal Father, Pagan Son is a voyeuristic glimpse into the shocking and hypnotic underworld of notorious “one-percenter” biker club: a gritty and powerful true tale of survival amid personal trials and tragedies, and of one man’s determination to escape to a better life.

“This is a one-of-a-kind true tale of being born into madness . . . and of rising above it.” —Robert K. Tanenbaum, New York Times–bestselling author of Betrayed and Capture