The Last Chicago Boss: My Life with the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club

by Kerrie Droban, Big Pete

A legend in the biker community, Peter “Big Pete” James was the most revered gangster in the Outlaw Nation. He first perfected his skills with the Hells Angels, the Outlaws’ chief rival, before persuading thousands of disgruntled members from splintered Outlaws chapters to unite. Together, they formed a powerful criminal syndicate involved in extortion, contract murders, drugs and arms trafficking, money laundering and assassinations. Then a shocking medical diagnosis knocked James sideways, forcing him to face a new life on the outside of the organization he built, dodging snitches, federal law enforcement, and contract hits.

In The Last Chicago Boss, James provides a startling and unprecedented expose into the inner workings of the Outlaw Nation from the unique perspective of its renowned leader, all brought to life through never-before-revealed interviews, police files, wiretaps, recordings, and trial transcripts.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

About the author

Kerrie Droban is an award-winning true crime author, attorney, national speaker and expert consult on criminal pathology and organized crime. She has appeared on 20/20, American Greed, A&E's Secrets of the Hells Angels, Gangland, United Gangs of America, Vice, Investigation ID, Oxygen and Netflix. Her books have been optioned for film and made into a television series now streaming on Hulu. She founded Zhivago Entertainment, a podcast and film production company and writes and produces the true crime podcast Crime Stands Still, re-solving cases one season at a time and bringing you the whole truth (not just what the jury heard).

Reviews

[Valerity (Val)]

This is an exciting, action packed biker book written by Kerrie Droban about "Big Pete" Peter James of the Chicago Outlaws, laying out his glory days with his guys in the hoods. They kicked a lot of ass and were involved in all kinds of craziness that went on. A good read if you like the inside story on biker gangs and books on true crime. Give it a look. I was given an ARC of this book to review by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Randal White]

In serious need of a major rewrite! I was looking forward to reading this book. My career required me to be aware of and fluent in different criminal gangs. I always found motorcycle gangs to be of the most interesting variety. Thus, a chance to get insight into the "Outlaws" appealed to me very much. Unfortunately, this isn't the book for that. The writing is terrible. Hard to follow, disjointed, it reads like someone with ADD wrote it. The author will start one story, morph it into another unrelated story, or worse yet, just drop it midway through. The book is seriously in need of a major rewrite. Disappointing!

[patrick Lorelli]

A book written about Peter James or “Big Pete” the boss of the Outlaws. James with the help of the author takes you through his life starting out as a kid in school and how an uncle had a real profound effect on him which changed him for the future. This would lead him to eventually into life with the Outlaws. He would be a boss after “Taco Bowman” was in prison who was said to still be the big boss. Big Pete goes into a lot of different activities some he started some he took over. He also wants each chapter to go separate. As much as I found this to be a good read, I don’t know how much of the total is true, true MC usually doesn’t give out business, but maybe times have changed. Overall well written and entertaining. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 3 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Maggies Daisy]

The first chapter opens with one of my own favorite quotes from Nelson Mandela,

"When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw."

This book digs deep into a motorcycle club that was started in 1935 around the Chicago area of the United States. At the moment this club has expanded to well over 1,700 members in the US and other countries. But what is this organization really about? From the pages of the book, I ascertained that while some might think they are just out riding and having fun at parties. But this is not the case in all situations. There are criminal elements, especially when individuals fight over territory using violent means to control illegal money making businesses so these individuals can live their own dream of rebellion against conforming to the norms of everyday living. In the dictionary, an outlaw is described as a habitual or notorious criminal. Club members used intimidation and violence against those around them.

[Dave]

What a lost opportunity. A great story and a great read, even I still don't know why he chose the life of an Outlaw biker. There's enough to read between the lines, but the autobiography is more impressionistic than representational. That's enough in a way, and still a compelling read. But, when a major MC leader is willing to talk, I'd like more about the day-to-day existence of a very bright man -- degree from Marquette, apparently -- who either chose or fell into a life way out there on the edge that few of us want to really know all that much about for fear of having to move to a gated community in another state. Entertaining, an important read if anyone is interested in a more complete view of life, but disappointing in that there it is not more complete and fully written. Maybe sometime.

[Dachokie]

I’ve read many books about OMCs from the perspectives of undercover law enforcement infiltrators and former members. Most of the books follow a familiar pattern of fascinating stories that are frequently disturbing and disgusting; these are the ingredients that make such books so interesting to read.

“Big Pete’s” story as a boss of the Chicago Outlaws MC is interesting, but a little difficult to read. The book reads more like a long conversation with accounts merging seamlessly with many stories starting without satisfying conclusions to the stories preceding them. Being a visual read certainly helped in my case, but keeping track of names and conversations was a little challenging. I found myself frequently re-reading conversations just trying to track who was saying what.

[Jeff R.]

When I read this book I was shocked that Big Pete would lie like he did in this book and during an hour plus phone conversation I had with him after I read his book he wasn't even man enough to own up to his lies and blamed them on Droban and the publisher. In reality, there was nothing really interesting about Big Pete when he was a member of the Outlaws, he left the club dishonorably and this book is clearly an effort to restore his dignity and profit off the reputation of his former club.

[Ms_luv2read]

Very good book about a biker and his days. You will either like him or dislike him. James to me was very honest about his journey (the good, bad and the ugly) and this will hold your interest. The book does jump a bit which at times can make reading it frustrating. Overall, a good read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

[Dougc]

Really awful writing. I'm surprised a major publisher like St. Martins would release this poor quality work. There's probably a good story to be told in this biker's life experiences, but come on. How about a developmental edit, which is what usually happens when potentially good material needs to get shaped into a good read. This is a disconcertingly jumbled mess.

[John Taylor]

Great insight into the Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club and the associated criminal and cultural behaviors that accompany it. Big Pete comes across as more of an anti-hero, but intriguing none-the-less.

[Shona]

This book is easy to read in the way anything non-substantive is. Poorly organized and with a most unlikeable narrator I spent most of the book hoping he’d end up in jail if only to prove he wasn’t as smart as he thought he was.

[June]

It was okay.....not really all that interesting as far as I was concerned and I have read these types
of books before and enjoyed them

this one left a lot NOT there that is for sure.....

[Sandy]

This book just ok. I'd never recommend it unless you are really in need of something to read.

[Mona Dempsey]

I have not had a chance to read it yet, hubby grabbed in when it came in the door, and enjoyed it, fits that time era, and accurate, he said a def. 4 star rating.

[Todd Hoessler]

poorly written

[Lonnie Stephens]

A little hard to follow at first, so I re-read the first few chapters. Once the flow of the book, characters, and story started to fall into place, it was easier to understand.

[Preacher]

Decent book quick read but definitely not as good as some other biker books I have read.

[Mary Duff]

Could not put the book down.
Also from Chicago where I grew up next to the DC Eagles club.
I had no idea…. Until I read this book. Oh boy!

[James]

Fun story. Doesn’t seem to be particularly well written.

[Ardyce]

If you like motorcycles and self-aggrandized depictions of debauchery, this one is for you. (See Criminal Element for full review)