Street Justice

October 1, 2002
In a meandering memoir that ranges from his childhood in the Bronx to his days as a nose-busting Hells Angel and bodyguard to the stars, Zito (who uses "Fuggedaboutit!" without a dose of irony) proudly recounts the details of street fights in which he knocks out yet another drunk who "challenges a representative of the most notorious motorcycle club in the land." More interesting than the KOs are Zito's chronicles of fellow Hell's Angels brothers such as John "The Baptist" LoFrancco, Charming Chuck, Terrible Ted and Mike the Bike, and the turf wars, bike runs, clubhouse rituals and cell time they share with Zito (who spent almost six years in prison for conspiracy drug-trafficking, despite his claims of innocence and a drug-free lifestyle). The celebrity clientele of the author's Charlie's Angels Bodyguard Service are a who's who of the 80s: the list includes Mickey Rourke, Liza Minelli and Sly Stallone, all of whom appeared at his trial in his defense. Zito's status as a regular on the HBO series Oz is proof that his street cred has earned him a place in Hollywood-rumor has it he's even got his own upcoming USA Networks series, Chuck Zito's Street Justice-and this humble memoir is equal parts gritty and entertaining. 8-page color photo insert, 44 b&w photos throughout.

October 1, 2002
In a meandering memoir that ranges from his childhood in the Bronx to his days as a nose-busting Hells Angel and bodyguard to the stars, Zito (who uses "Fuggedaboutit!" without a dose of irony) proudly recounts the details of street fights in which he knocks out yet another drunk who "challenges a representative of the most notorious motorcycle club in the land." More interesting than the KOs are Zito's chronicles of fellow Hell's Angels brothers such as John "The Baptist" LoFrancco, Charming Chuck, Terrible Ted and Mike the Bike, and the turf wars, bike runs, clubhouse rituals and cell time they share with Zito (who spent almost six years in prison for conspiracy drug-trafficking, despite his claims of innocence and a drug-free lifestyle). The celebrity clientele of the author's Charlie's Angels Bodyguard Service are a who's who of the 80s: the list includes Mickey Rourke, Liza Minelli and Sly Stallone, all of whom appeared at his trial in his defense. Zito's status as a regular on the HBO series Oz is proof that his street cred has earned him a place in Hollywood-rumor has it he's even got his own upcoming USA Networks series, Chuck Zito's Street Justice-and this humble memoir is equal parts gritty and entertaining. 8-page color photo insert, 44 b&w photos throughout.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2002
\deflang1033\pard\plain\f3\fs24 Zito is a star of \plain\f3\fs24" Oz\plain\f3\fs24, the HBO series, but once was a Hell's Angels chapter president as well as a Golden Gloves boxer. In between he was a celebrity bodyguard, too, but it's the biker identity that wafts through this gritty autobiography--like Zito's penchant for wearing a Hells Angels ring on each finger while bodyguarding: not only chic, but intimidating, too! It's brawls, squalls, and casting calls, with working security for Lorna Luft, to boot. Like Zito says at the end of his story, "For better or worse, this is who I am. You got a problem with that?" Think Steven Seagal with more (or any) credibility. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)