Under and Alone: The True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America's Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang

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A "great" book written by a true American hero. Queen exposes these bikers for what they are, criminals, family men, brothers, motorcycle enthusiasts and, most of all, too human. While some are absolutely evil, most seem to be guys who have been lured by the outlaw lifestyle and all its rewards without willing to accept its punishments as well. Remember, the motorcycle gang came into being primarily with true American heroes of WWII, looking for adventure after losing the pumped up lifestyle of war. William Queen goes under cover and remarkably infiltrates the Mongrol MC. Ultimately he becomes "patched in", a full fledged member of this criminal enterprise. The stories he tells are heartbreaking at times, brutal at others, but all the while Queen never lost sight of his goal of exposing them for what they do. He experiences what has become the all to often dilemma for these type of law enforcement agents. These are indeed his brothers and he is knowingly working to put them in prison for the rest of thier lives. Queen taps into his own sense of betrayal, outrage, sadness, and fear, as the investigation continues. Quite a remarkable investigation and a remarkable book.

Motorcycle clubs have been romanticized in this country for over fifty years and while 99% of them (and my brother-in-law is a member of a club) are decent, hard-working everyday guys and girls, it's that 1% that has always piqued the interest of the general public and the reason there were so many movies dealing with gangs like the Hell's Angels in the 1960's and 1970's. The public has an infatuation with them much like with the Mafia.

Bill Queen is nuts...has to be to do what he did and live amongst these people for over two years, doing drugs and commiting crimes just to prove his worth to the gang. And he didn't just risk his life then, but even now he is a target for those he helped bring to justice. It is most interesting how Queen notes that these men are so much like the Mafia in that there is true love and friendship among the members, and yet they wouldn't hesitate to kill their own if they stepped out of line. It's a kind of almost hive relationship that most people just cannot fathom.

Wow, what an incredibly riveting tale. Bill Queen certainly gives new meaning to the word guts.

As the ex-wife of one of the main characters in the book, I can tell the readers that William Queen told the whole truth and nothing but the truth...it was 100% accurate and in no way exaggerated. Only on a few minor occasions did his recollection of events differ slightly from mine, but only the smallest and most unimportant of details. This book was amazing and well written - good job Billy! I cannot describe the feelings that ran through me as I read this book, as I read page after page of events that I remember like yesterday. I was also taken back to the phone call I got from Billy on May 19th, 2000, telling me who he was and what was happening. How I didn't belong with those people. Even though I had to re-live all the feelings of hurt and betrayal I felt the day my life changed forever, I am thankful now to be out of that life and where I am today. Not only was this man a hero in the eyes of many, but he changed my life. Billy, in the event you ever read this review, I just wanted you to know that.

Although the author does his best to berate and slam motorcycle gangs (notably the Mongols and Hells Angles) he comes across as more of a creep and criminal himself. Reading this book made me realize that the only really dangerous outlaw street gangs our society suffers from are the ATF and the police. The character and ethics displayed by those agents portrait in this book are despicable. Personally I would feel safer in the hands of one of these gang members than in the care of one of these aloof, self righteous, judgmental, and (unfortunately) powerful officers of the "law".

I feel sorry and am very sympathetic of those poor souls trapped by this unethical and deceitful agent of the ATF. Prior to reading this book I held motorcycle clubs such as the Hells Angles and Mongols in distain, now however I feel differently. These groups are victims of over zealous, self righteous men that use the "law" as their weapon of choice.

Great book, with a large amount of information. One thing in particular I liked was how the emotional and psychological impact of the undercover assigment was expressed. Excellent, fast reading.

This book is easily a 5 star review save for a few minor things. It is a shame Amazon does not have 1/2 stars you can add. This is a really interesting book above an undercover agent that infiltrates and actually gets patched into the Mongols(an outlaw motorcycle gang). What makes this unique is how far into the gang he actually got, and that it involves a gang other than the Hell's Angels who have had more than there share of books written about them. This is a quick and easy read, which is good in one way, but it left me wanting for more. I think this could have been fleshed out a little more. I would have liked to hear more about how his deep undercover mission affected his kids and family. Aside from a few paragraphs, the author breezes over the subject. It is a minor quibble, but the story was so interesting, I would have loved to have more.

This slim volume was too Ramboesque by half, and it wasn't long before all the overtly macho bearhug-my-beer-buddies posturing made me feel like I was trapped in a Chuck Norris film. Stick to those "Walker, Texas Ranger" reruns instead....

As gripping as any well written crime novel this real life account of an undercover ATF agent's infiltration into a terrifying motorcycle gang is the type of book you just can't put down.
The book offers unique, almost anthropological, insights into a modern day motorcycle gang while at the same time exploring the toll the assignment took on the author himself.
I recommend this book to all fans of true crime as well as those who enjoy and intense white knuckle ride.
Destined to be a classic.

I have never written a review before but this is without a doubt the best book I have read in a long time. Queen tells his story with brutal honesty, even detailing his true feelings about how he felt genuine affection towards his Mongol "brothers." It was stunning to learn the personal price Queen paid for his professional actions. Anyone working in Law Enforcement can learn many lessons from this story.

Bill Queen, whom I knew personally, has captured the essence of working undercover against outlaw biker groups. I also did numerous criminal cases against them, albiet much less deep undercover, long before Bill's brilliant effort. ATF management was even harder to work with back then. Many managers came from the old 'still bustin'" days of Eliott Ness with that same mentality. Bill's successful prosecutions are a tribute to the tenacity of he and the case agent, John Ciccone, who both overcame not only the obstacles of the criminal case, but overcame the obstructive "numbers" driven management.

This book is a "must read" for law enforcement, their families, and anyone interested in going into the field. It's insight, honesty, and accuracy make it unique in a field often cluttered with "wannabes". Great job, Bill.

Erik R.

In a global economy of perhaps $5 trillion a year, fully another $2 trillion a year is illicit (see the book by Moises Naim of that title). This means not only that there is $2 trillion a year in illegal activities that include murder, rape, trade in women and children, and so on, but also that this $2 trillion is not taxed and therefore does not contribute to the social programs that are essential to keep a nation strong. Since motorcycle gangs are now global, vicious, and largely "out of control," the book struck me as helpful and worth reading.

It is worth reading, and there is no question but that the author risked his life, perhaps even ruined his life, by spending a long time penetrating the Mongols, arguably the most vicious (and unwashed) of the motorcycle gangs.

I put the book down with three thoughts:

1) There has got to be a better way to put gangs like this out of business. Cities have sanitation codes, there ought to be a way to keep people like this in remediation without having to risk officer's lives penetrating their gangs.

2) An awful lot of taxpayer dollars and a lot of very high-quality officer time went into this, at great personal risk, with relatively marginal results.

3) Gangs share a couple of similarities with terrorists: they have access to very high-powered lawyers and a great deal of money when they need it; and law enforcement is ham-strung by out of date laws and conventions that insist on treating out and out ruthless "Mongols" with the same rules used for more civilized members of society. I cannot but help conclude that we ought to have a "no holds barred" option on gangs in the same way that we now have a no holds barred option on terrorists.

After reading the reviews and dust jacket I was expecting a book with some interesting stories but every chapter left me wondering why I was wasting my time on this book. He risked his life and went undercover but what did he discover? a bunch of losers who fight each other and do crank. All of the BIG moments in the book came and went with out much detail, excitment or anything that would make me care. The supposed plotting to kill a LA county sheriff is a great example. Their was no plot, he just happend to drive by the mongols campground and one of the drunken bikers on parole says "If he stops I'm going to take him out". Not much of a story if you ask me. I will be sending this one to the used book store asap.

If there's a lesson that can be drawn from Queen's lengthy travels through the rough part of town, it's that life as a Federal Agent isn't what it's cracked up to be. As a people, we're bred on a steady diet of flashy police dramas (CSI, NYPD Blue, Law and Order, etc.). They do little to prepare the average cadet for what they're going to confront in the criminal tar pit that Billy Queen wades into.

Undercover work, in general, is a fine way to ruin your marriage, wreck your nerves, and lose your sense of identity. Be prepared to sacrifice the life that you once had, and sadly witness the fallout that results. It's almost as if Queen suffers more than the people that he help put away. This is the fine print that the recruiters don't want you to read.

Speaking from direct experience, undercover work is essentially an act of betrayal. You live with these people, eat with them, party with them, and then testify against them in court. An agent might take years to be accepted into the fold, and then have to dump it all over the side of the ship in the blink of an eye. It's bad enough that you lose contact with your old friends, now you've got to give up all of your new ones. Guess what? Now you don't have any friends.

As Queen observes, it wasn't easy. There were actually times when he considered giving up his role as an ATF agent and crossing the line to the other side. I can't say that I blame him. His Mongol brethen often treated him with more respect, and genuine love, than his ATF handlers (who, more likely than not, saw Billy as an expendable "resource").

You're on your own, surrounded by a group of individuals who, by the standards of modern society, aren't much more than animals. It takes a very strong individual to survive the rigors of this sort of undercover work.

Billy, man, I don't know where you are, but I have a feeling that you might read this review some day. Many thanks for pouring out your memories, and heart, onto the printed page. People like me will try very hard to pass on your words to the younger folks, so that they might understand, and appreciate, the plight of the under-paid government employee known as the ATF agent.

Thank God for William Queen!!! I just finished his book -Under and Alone - and am amazed at what this man went through to get the bad guys. What a great human being! I loved that part at the end of the book where he writes about knowing that these were serious bad guys that needed to be put away - but there was another factor - after living with them for 2 1/2 years he had witnessed it, lived it, felt it, and understood the love that these guys felt for their brothers, him included. That gave me goosebumps. There was a thin line there for him. Not everything is black or white. Sometimes there is that gray area. I hope that he remains safe and can have happiness in his life. He certainly deserves it!!!

I have never written a review before, but this book truly deserves the 5 stars I gave it. I could not put it down.Being in federal law enforcement I can tell you that William Queen went way above and beyond the call of duty.Best book I ever read!

This book was incredible, kind of like the guy who wrote it. Talk about serious fortitude! As someone who knows a little about the culture, I know that Queen's account is a no nonsense, honest, account of outlaw life. To say his undertaking on behalf of ATF, and the public at large, was brave doesn't begin to describe it. This book was a page turner. The only let down was that it came to an end! I could've read another 200 pages! Queen is a true American hero with an incredible story to tell. A must buy!!

It is one-part historical, with a look at some of the most notorious motorcycle gangs in the world, and the crimes that they commit. It is one-part sociological, with an interesting view of war veterans and the different paths they choose in society, the stereotypes that society places place on all bikers (not just the "one-percenters"), as well as the fascination some have with these outlaws that often result in tragic consequences. It is also psychological, as some aspects of the undercover operation are truly mind-provoking - how does Bill Queen maintain his sense of right versus wrong when he feels more acceptance from the Mongols than his own department? How does Bill Queen cope knowing that any chance in demeanor from any one of his fellows Mongols might bring his unsuspecting demise? It's a book that you can't put down, and it will raise the hair on the back of your neck more than once.

Bill Queen, his children, friends and family all made sacrifices, so that other children like Rocky Jr. and Easy's sisters' children can grow up safe and enjoy future birthdays, without the senseless violence, drugs, and poverty around them.

Like a lot of red blooded guys I had fantasized (well, daydreamed anyway) about riding with an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.
C'mon, who out there hasn't?

After this book I am glad to put that fantasy away for good. And you will be too...but boy, what a voyeuristic ride you are in for.

The author puts you right there where you will smell the blood. Right there where you will feel the blows to your face and jaw. And right there while you quiver with fear as you are instructed to stab a poor fellow who just happened to walk in the wrong door - that of a biker bar.

You will also be suprised by the emotion the author conveys toward these people he stalks, yet finds himself feeling parental towards. Thru the author you find yourself rooting for the bad guys to somehow see the light.

But most of all the book will let you lay that outlaw fantasy to rest. So next time you pass a biker bar in Tujunga or East Los Angeles, just keep going...I will see you down the road at the Dairy Queen.

Billy's heart is with the gang, but his job is to take 'em down. Simply put, this book will be finished in two days, but it will feel like time stands still during some of the scenes described. I hope Red Dog stays in jail for a long time.
Outstanding Book!

Rather than be long winded, as a public librarian let me just say this book is worth your time to read whether you are a non-fiction fan, or are inclined to novels. This book is a can't miss production, well written, poignant...alas, I am not at a loss for adjectives. Enjoy!

From beginning to end I could not put this book down. This booked grabed me and would not let go. The only time I put this book down was to sleep. This is a great insight into a motorcycle gangs lifestyle. Billy Quenn is a modern day dragon slayer. Very intense!!

Even if you know nothing about Motorcycle gangs or have little interest in them (like myself), this book is absolutely addicting. I just read on the internet that Warner Bros. has already got a movie deal w/ Mel Gibson as the main character- Billy Queen. Fuqua to direct.

READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.

I received a hardcover copy of this book from my wife for my birthday and it was promptly thrown in the trash after I finished it. No kidding! I know my review will fly in the face of many of the overwhelmingly positive entries, but here goes...

I consider myself a typical citizen and I by no means am in favor of gang activity or criminal enterprises, but I wonder why the police and federal government sets such a high priority on targeting "motorcycle gangs." If it is not this gang, it is the Hell's Angels. Again, I consider myself an average law-abiding citizen and I'm unconvinced that this gang or the Hell's Angels are the root of all evil. I spent several years of my childhood in the Van Nuys area of the San Fernando Valley and as I recall many of the motorcycle groups, including the Hell's Angels, did positive things for the community -- this may come as a surprise to many readers.

Next, I looked at this undercover assignment in the historical context that it occurred (the late 1990's). To me it seems like a major folly. Too bad the ATF in particular and the Treasury Department in general didn't spend the money monitoring and getting into groups that would later attack our country with aircraft. The U.S Government was busy with taxpayer resources getting at a motorcycle gang, while missing a more important threat to our society.

Finally, I too am skeptical that the author never committed any acts that crossed the line while undercover. He admits that he didn't even know who he really was at times. When you play a role so completely, you completely become that role. I don't care what he says to the contrary.

I hope missing out on a segment of his childrens' life was worth it to him. On balance I don't think the taxpayers got their money's worth from this operation in light of 2001. If you are still compelled to read this book, check it out from the library.

Is Mel Gibson still going to do this movie, or is he spending time now on his DUI arrest? The main review stated the movie would be shot in 2006, but the IMDB still lists it in "pre-production." Gotta admit: Mel Gibson will be great for this movie!

The author owes his kids an apology for the double standard he imposed on the rational for accusing his "new friends" of abusing their children while abandoning his own for the two years he was involved in this project. This book is filled with contradictions and not for one second do I believe the author didn't do drugs or screw around. You wonder what the cost effectivness multiplied by the number of these small projects that get approved around the country cost the taxpayers. I hope that this book gets made into a movie so he can afford all the therapy and rehab this is going to cost his family. Waste of time.

I bought this book in an Airport Wednesday afternoon, and during my free time around work and home finished it by 8:00 Saturday morning. I couldn't put it down. It was an easy read,and exciting every step of the way. Unfortunately, this is the only book I've found by William Queen as he isn't an author but an ATF agent. I'm not into motorcycles or gangs, but with William Queen writing, I would buy any non-fiction book of his about any undercover or ATF agents in a heartbeat.

This book is about an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, William Queen, worming his way into full membership status of the vicious Mongols motorcycle club in an attempt to shut it down through convictions stemming from purchases of illegal weapons and narcotics. Although Mr. Queen's bravery is unquestionable, the end results just don't seem to justify the extreme time, effort and expense involved.

Although I thought the author left some questions and situations unanswered and unresolved, the book was entertaining and might make a good movie. What I especially enjoyed about the book was that it was not a one-sided affair. It was not a black-and-white good-vs-evil story. The book describes well the comraderie and human side of some of the Mongols as well as those of Mr. Queen. The best example of this was when Mr. Queen's mother died. The Mongols expressed their sympathy and showed respect to William en mass, while not a single ATF agent, even those with whom he had the strongest bonds, expressed an ounce of concern.

The book also showed the ATF's bureaucratic BS that William had to contend with while trying to remain undercover, do a job and stay alive and healthy. All this certainly depicts William's courage and focus. It's a shame that he did not receive the support from his own agency that he needed. To his ATF managers, William was nothing more than a number, a pawn to be thrown to the wolves if the investigation proved fruitless or went otherwise bad. His dedication and courage speaks volumes about his character.

The book is hard-hitting, direct and full of human issues. It describes well the danger and violence brought forth by gangs such as this as well as the innermost thoughts and feelings of those who try and stop them. It's a good read and one that you'll not want to put down.

From the first page to the last, you will be glued to this book. I read the book in 1 day. I have never been able to read a book so fast in my entire life. Queen is an amazing agent who risked his life every second for 28 months to take the Mongols down. I have no idea how he was able to stay in for so long. I also learned alot about the Mongols. I've had the book for less than a week and I have read it two times already. I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed.

As one who has LIVED the LIFE for over 30 of my 53 years, I can personally testify that the OMG lifestyle description in this book is right on, good or bad, this is pretty much the way it is.
My main problem with this book is that Agent Queen could really make it from Hang-around to Prospect to Patchholder Mongol in this daily environment of violence, crime, drug & alcohol abuse, and sex and maintain his ethical and moral legal criteria. The man definitely has some big stones, but are they THAT big.
I personally had a few brief brushes with the Mongols & Vagos both back in the early '80's, and it sounds like things haven't changed, but I believe there's a LOT of this tale that got left out.

I heard about this book on Fresh Air (public radio) when the author was interviewed. This book is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of a world that most of us know exists, but with which we otherwise have no connection and of which we have very little knowledge. The story is well-told, well-written, and an extremely satisfying read. I wish it had been longer; I read it in just a few hours. It would have been nice to have a deeper look into the lives and personalities of the figures highlighted in the story. I was deeply impressed by Queen's ability to spend two years at this, repeatedly placed in situations that nearly resulted in his death. Highly recommended.

From cover to cover "Under and Alone" rates among the best books I've read on outlaw motorcycle gangs. Queen's first hand accounts as a lonely Mongol prospect to eventually becoming a full patch member are gripping and terrifying. Not only does he describe in detail the actions of the gang, but the strain his undercover assignment put on his relationship between his significant other and children. "Under and Alone" is packed with tales of violence, drugs, theft, sex and mayhem. A must read for true crime fans and those attracted to the underbelly of society.

Finally an outlaw motorcycle gang (o.k. "club") book about a club other than the Hells Angels. The book was fascinating stuff and I could hardly put it down. The Monguls MC the author writes about appear more ruthless than even the notorious Hells Angels. In fact the conflicts between the two clubs Mr. Queen writes about had me on the edge of my seat. I never realized the Monguls MC had been around as long as Mr. Queen states. All in all a great book very worthwhile reading for folks into the outlaw motorcycle scene!

To the reviewer "Leslie Pam" - anyone who read the book will see that the author says to his children that if he could give up everything he gained from his undercover investigation to have the time he lost with them then he would do so. And while he was working, his children were being looked after by their mother. (Would "Leslie Pam" have us believe that their mother is no better than the biker Rocky's wife? This is implausible, and so "Leslie Pam's" comments on this topic are pretty worthless.) In sacrificing much of his home life for over two years, the author made the world just a little bit safer not only for his own children, but for everyone else's too. This sort of heroic conduct cannot be measured in dollars and cents, not matter what "Lesle Pam" says. Perhaps she wants the state to make no effort at all to apprehend criminals. What sort of society would we have then? As for what "Leslie Pam" believes or does not believe about the author's behaviour during the operation: if it's not in the book and you've got *no* proof - at all - for what you're saying, "Leslie Pam", then all we have is your own unsupported assertions. Which once again, are worthless. I think that "Lesle Pam's" review is self serving hype. Whereas the book, "Under and Alone" provides us with a valuable record of the sacrifice one man made in order to send a group of dangerous and violent men to jail. Well done Bill Queen.

I couldn't put the book down. I can only imagine what kind of situations Mr. Queen went through that were not in the book. Both touching and sad, these guys really cared for their brothers and I can see where Mr. Queen had a difficult time with the operation. It is too bad everyday people can't create bonds like these guys had. I ended up wishing they didn't go down the way they did. I would highly recommend.

...but Queen doesn't let us in all the way. Just as his being under and alone among the Mongols alienates him from his children and his friends, it alienates the reader to large degree as well. He spends a lot of time telling us that he's feeling alone and conflicted, rather than really describing the incidents and stories that make him feel that way.
For every tantalizing, slice-of-life detail and description from his time with the Mongols that are included, there is far more rote description and purely mechanical narration. I strongly suspect that if Queen had collaborated with a more experienced writer, the stronger points of his very engaging story would be allowed to surface.

As it is, the excellent material struggles a little in the care of a man who has spent so many years writing field reports. If you're interested in the story of an undercover agent infiltrating a motorcycle gang, it's a good, quick read, but don't expect much more than a workman-like skill in presentation.

William Queen did a great job - first as an undercover agent then as a writer.

Most interesting for me was his portrait of the Mongols MC. He didn't present them in very favourable light to say the least. They are criminals, brutal and violent but also heavy dope users, unreliable and simply stupid. I only wonder how such bunch of degenerates on bikes were so successful when facing stronger and more sophisticated Hells Angels? They not only didn't cease to use red and white colors the Angels ordered them to do but won a bloody fight with them 3 years ago in Laughlin, Nevada which left 3 Angels and one Mongol dead. I wonder why HA didn't retaliate.

I know Hells Angels mostly from the books of Yves LaVigne, of course. He portrayed them as a big, omnipotent, omnipresent and sophisticated crime organization. After readind Queen's book I have some doubts. How can't such a powerful organization like Angel's cope with such a bunch of neanderthals on wheels i.e. the Mongols MC?

Either Mongols are not so stupid and degenerate as William Queen portrayed them or Hells Angels aren't so powerful as Yves LaVigne claims.

I'll keep it short.........just a bunch of self serving crap. The only thing that truly gets infiltrated is your pocketbook.

From the minute I read the first page, I knew this book would grab me and not let go. There aren't that many books that do, but this one sure did. Billy "St. John" Queen is an amazing guy - what fortitude it took to ride with the Mongols, "patch in" and live to tell about it. For those of us that know nothing about motorcycle clubs, it was an eye opener to hear about the club's goings on - from the hang-around stage to the prospect phase to actually "patching in" as a full-fledged member. The stories Billy tells are mind-blowing - It would have been some ride to have been a fly on the wall through all of it. The most amazing thing about this book is the human element to it - Billy's deep feelings for his brother members - both Mongols and ATF - and the mind conflicts that racked him constantly, not to mention the havoc it played on his personal life with his sons, his girlfriend, his family. The best line in the book is on page 258 which sums up the entire human aspect of it - Billy writes, "I'd not only witnessed it and lived it - I had FELT it." Billy writes very well and the book is thoroughly understandable from a layman's point of view. Billy - if you ever read this - God Bless you always. Ride on brother!

I heard about this book through a review in a magazine I had read. I went out and bought the book right before I left to Colorado to look at schools with my sister. This is book truly a work of art. The reading is so easy and it captivates you from the minute you flip to the first page. The book does an excellent job of setting you in the exact moment and it conveys feelings the author is having as well. It is almost impossible to believe that this is a true story. The events encountered in this book are truly unbelievable. This book is nothing short of entertaining and amazing. You will not be dissapointed.

Written from a man who, fighting in Special Forces and doing gritty police work, must always live on the edge, William Queen, divorced with children and a girlfriend, sacrifices his salvaged life to go undercover. He infiltrates the country's most violent motorcycle gang, The Mongols, and earns his stripes by faking drugs and acting as tough as the barbarians who are scrutinizing his every move. One of the most harrowing elements of the book is the author's ability to profile the motorcycle gangster mentality. These are men who devote their whole life to purging whatever goodness they have in them out of their system and to becoming as evil, sociopathic, and violent as possible. Why? Because, the author points out, they worship one thing only--power and the way to achieve that power is to instill fear in others. The sampling of grotesqueries the author describes is frightening enough, but all the more terrifying since any second we fear that William Queen will be found out and killed. One thing that makes the book so suspensful is that throughout the book Queen maintains a dreadful tension between the gangs' love for him and their suspcicion of him. You never know if and when the facade is going to crack. I'll let you read the book to find out how it ends. One thing for sure, this book will be made into a film. I'm sure the movie rights have already been sold. And what a great movie it will be.

I could not put this book down. It is a rapid, riveting read. Living quite near to where most of the book took place, I will now look quite differently at some of the drunken unruly people in bars! My one criticism (and compliment)of the book is that it is too short. It could be twice as long and still hold the reader captive. There are large gaps in time where I am wondering what transpired.

After reading the book it is hard not to become emotionally involved. There are so many unanswered questions: Did William Queen ever hear any feed-back about the book from any of the characters featured in the book? Is he still hidden in Plano, Texas? How are his ex-wife and children doing? Are Rocky and Domingo still in jail?

It is difficult not to get attached to all the people in the book; the good, the bad and the ugly. I came away with a soft spot for some of the worst criminals and after reading it felt the same confusion that Queen expressed about the mixed emotions he felt for his brothers in the Mongols.

What a great read. The amount of courage it took to infiltrate a violent gang is just incredible. To become and function as a "Patched" member is on the borderline of insanity, Mr Queen did both and walked away to tell about it. I read this book in one sitting, not being able to put it down. His many confrontations with gang members where his life is on the line keep the pages turning and wondering how or if he'll make it through.

I couldn't put this book down! An insightful look into the life of an undercover cop and the violent ways of motorcycle gangs. I praise Billy Queen for what he did and am thankful he didn't come away with a split personality. What he did would drive an average man mad!

If there is one word to describe this book, it's wow. This book is intriguing, eye-opening, exciting, touching, and mesmerizing. One of the best books I've ever read.

Billy McQueen, ATF agent, joins the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang as Billy St. Jean, giving up his personal life, living in certain danger, and even fighting ATF bureaucracy in order to prosecute the toughest and dangerous motorcycle gang around (the only gang to humble the Hell's Angels).

This has all the qualities and excitement of any action movie. What separates this from a movie is that this was all real. The sacrifices this man made are amazing.

He details the pain of initiation, the side stepping of the issue of drug taking, the constant harassment of the police, the constant threat of being outed, and climbing the ladder of the Mongol hierarchy. He delves the life of Mongol outlaw, the surprisingly strict Mongol organizational structure, the violent crimes they initiate, their history, their significance, their rituals.

He transforms the reader, as he explains his own transformation, to a full-fledged Mongol officer. He shows the extremely volatile, yet sometimes sympathetic nature of being in a motorcycle gang. He both explains the dichotomy of people who both love Mongol Billy St. Jean, but would not hesitate to kill ATF agent Billy McQueen. He personally tells of the bonds he formed with some of the members. One could tell the pain he experienced in prosecuting his fellow gang-members at the end of the book.

This is truly one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read - one I could not put down.

I cant say enough good about this book. Fast paced. A quick read. Great photos to match names with faces. Anyone interested in true crime or outlaw motorcycle gangs should read this book. The author is obviously honest and authentic. I highly recommend it.

Forget all other books about fighting the always growing problem of crime. This book covers it all. You are taken very deep undercover and exposed to the real crime world. ATF Agent Queen does an outstanding job at expressing everything that he was feeling during his investigation. His fears, his determination and his concerns for all those around him are just unmatchable. I couldn't put this book down and I guarantee that you won't be able to either. I give it 10 stars!!!

Doesn't get bogged down in a lot of details; however, because of this, it feels a little 'bare bones'...but this is probably because of disclosure issues and confidential materials.

Great read! Well written and full of informative details. William Queen, aka Billy St. John, I was riding with you in spirit, my antacid at the ready. Thanks for your valuable service to your fellow man. I hope your family life now reflects the true love in your heart. Your are a good man!

It is one-part historical, with a look at some of the most notorious motorcycle gangs in the world, and the crimes that they commit. It is one-part sociological, with an interesting view of war veterans and the different paths they choose in society, the stereotypes that society places place on all bikers (not just the "one-percenters"), as well as the fascination some have with these outlaws that often result in tragic consequences. It is also psychological, as some aspects of the undercover operation are truly mind-provoking - how does Bill Queen maintain his sense of right versus wrong when he feels more acceptance from the Mongols than his own department? How does Bill Queen cope knowing that any chance in demeanor from any one of his fellows Mongols might bring his unsuspecting demise? It's a book that you can't put down, and it will raise the hair on the back of your neck more than once.

Finally, to would-be readers that may be discouraged by Leslie Pam's review, she clearly fails to understand that not only did Bill Queen make sacrifices, but his children, friends and family did as well, so that other children like Rocky Jr. and Easy's sisters' children can grow up safe and enjoy future birthdays, without the senseless violence, drugs, and poverty around them.

After reading "Under and Alone", I had the opportunity to meet Billy Queen and speak with him regarding his UC life and the operation with the Mongols (what still wasn't classified). What he wrote in his book is just a small portion of what he did and he did it as a professional law enforcement officer. He never compromised his personal or professional principles so he could be one of the boys and he never broke the law to enforce the law. He had his "line in the sand" which he never crossed.

To date, no federal law enforcement officer has been under cover longer than Billy Queen.

What he wrote is true, real life and heroic.

This was one of the best books I have ever read. I was immediately engaged in the book. I started reading it on a flight to Mexico. By the time I landed five hours later I had finished the book!

The book has everything: drama, excitment, action, and the unexpected.

I am not a huge book reader and LOVED this book. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!

William Queen spent 28 months undercover with the Mongols motorcycle group - feared more than Hells Angels. His bravery and "street intelligence" are incredible. Drugs, illegal weapons, gang-rape, witness intimidation, brutal beatings, and motorcycle theft were the gang's most common unlawful activities.

Introduction to the group was via an informant who wanted to get back at the Mongols; unfortunately, the informant also let the Mongols know what she wanted to accomplish, leading them to suspect Queen. To gain stature and prevent being exposed as an ATF agent, he had to fake snorting meth, and appear ready to participate in a gang rape (luckily the intended victims did not show up). Final acceptance required passing a background check using his Social Security #, VA records, last five years' W-2 forms, criminal records, high-school records, and relatives - in this case all made up by the ATF.

Queen reported several instances of the gang's criminality and brutality: 1)A fellow prospective member who changed his mind about membership had to play Russian roulette to get out. 2)Members wanting out had to have their Mongol gang tattoo burned off. 3)One member had been convicted of child molesting his sister's children - because she turned him in he was plotting to kill both her and the children. (Queen managed to thwart those crimes.) 4)Another member, unable to redeem his pawned motorcycle, wanted to kill the pawn shop owner (again Queen was able to avoid this crime).

Shortly after becoming accepted, Queen became chapter Secretary-Treasurer, replacing the functionally-illiterate incumbent. This afforded Queen (and the government) detail about the group's activities that otherwise would not have been available.

Queen paid a steep price for his undercover status - not only did he have to risk his life daily and subject himself to a highly destructive lifestyle (drinking, fighting, fast riding), his girlfriend dropped him, he missed many opportunities to be with his sons, and ultimately they were moved far away from him as part of a protective relocation.

The prosecutorial rewards, unfortunately, were not commensurate, in my opinion: Seventy illegal firearms, two kilos of cocaine, significant amounts of marijuana and meth, and 53 convictions. (Queen only elaborates on one sentence - "Red Dog" - one of the worst members - received only a three year sentence.) This is not a criticism of anyone - just the depressing reality of how difficult it can be to attack organized crime.

Two years later, the Mongols and Hells Angels gangs met in Laughlin, NV - and two people died. Unfortunately the Mongols did not go out of business - no fault of Queen's. I only wish we had applied his talents to anti-terrorism!

Kept me awake long into the night. This book gives an insider's account of what goes on inside the true motorcycle "gangs." We're not talking advertising execs who ride Harleys on weekends. This is the real stuff, down and dirty. You gotta wonder about Queen, being willing to infiltrate a gang like this, then risk his life writing a book about his experiences. It reminded me of Donnie Brasco, the way the author becomes so much a part of the gang he's infiltrated that he has a hard time breaking away. Great book and I'd highly recommend it to my friends. Another book I'd recommend that I read this year is one called, "She Wanted It All" on Austin's Celeste Beard case. Amazing true crime book. For all of you who decide to read it, Enjoy! I did.

This is a very insightful book that delves into the inner workings and brotherhood of the Mongol MC. Very compelling work by the author, who deserves a great deal of respect for putting himself in that kind of jeopardy. It's very interesting to see how the author is drawn into the lifestyle and ultimately becomes somewhat torn between the new family he has become a member of, and his obligations to ATF. This is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about outlaw motorcycle gangs from the inside out. I highly recommend it!

Interesting story. I sensed some of the gory details may have been sugar-coated to protect the author, but entertaining none the less.

William Queen aka Billy St. John is a agent for the Bureau of alcohol. tobacco and firearms and the veteran of a few successful deep undercover operations so when he is approached by his boss who has a confidential informant that is willing to help get a agent inside of is described as the most violent motorcycle gang in america. when the author and agent is approached with the opportunity he jumps at the chance and is introduced to the bar that chapter of the San Fernando Mongols hangs out in the story really takes off. Of course it goes without saying that it helps that william queen has quite a passion for motorcycles one that he has had for most of his life.

William Queen takes on the undercover name of Billy St. John and starts out as just a hang around and over the period of 28 months he works his way all the way upto full patch member which is pretty amazing considering the lengths that the motorcycle gangs go through to check on the backgrounds of prospects in his case for the Mongols he had to fill out a 4 page application. He was able to make it to different officer positions with in the San Fernando chapter and along the way gather info on all the different criminal activitys which ran quite wide from witness tampering to murder.

But all through the book once he became prospect upto full patch member he had to deal with the pressures on family and surprising the feelings with knowing that he was going to have guys arrested who surprisingly had strong bonds in their brotherhood and and actual true love for their fellow brothers the one instance that really stands out when he had family member pass away and he left the Atf and Mongols for a short time when he came back his fellow agents hardly expressed any sympathy or to let him know that they were there for him they Mongols where

If you really want to see what the motorcycle gang life is like this will diffently give you a real feeling for it this a book i wouls recommend 5 Stars for sure

I just finished reading this book about a week ago & was extremley happy with my purchase. The fact that this undercover cop infiltrated this OMG & was not found out until he told them shows great undercover work. All though it was his job though I can't believe that he actually turned on the whole gang. These people were like brothers to him when his Mom died they were there for him where was the ATF they were no where to be found. I have read numerous books about OMG & all though they do break the law I do not see them to be as horrible as the cops want us to think they are. This undercover agent did his job though & he did it well but along the way he got a new family & then turned on them, he is a rat. I don't agree with murder, rape or any other kind of law breaking but I do believe in family & if you go into this gang & they treat you like family I don't believe you should rat them out. But it was pretty cool to read about a different OMG besides The Hells Angels (Which I am completely fascinated by). We need more OMG books. If you are a OMG buff as I am this book is a must read.

An excellent read. A true inside look into the inner workings of the Mongols MC. This book truely captures the 1%er lifestyle, their traditions, their feelings about society, and each other. I look forward to the screenplay. Highly recommended. You won't be disappointed.

I'd bet from reading this book that alot of these Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs have been and are currently being infiltrated at various levels,by undercover police.There seemed to be in the book, alot of paranoia among the Mongol members from government agents in their ranks.I'm glad that there are still police out there that will take such dangerous assignments.It took Queen about a year and a half to build up the Motorcycle Clubs' confidence and he actually rose to the position of Mongol treasurer.
I noticed however how alot of the poverty stricken Mongols rapidly gravitated toward Agent Queen and his "deep pockets" which would have aroused the suspicions of smarter type criminals,(if there even is such a thing)even considering Queen had been in the group for a year and a half.Too much money coming too fast that buys into about any criminal enterprise equals "STING".When something seems to be too good to be true it probably isn't.I admired the way Queen used the Mongols greed against them.Queen became sort of a "daddy" for them and their criminal enterprises and toward the end ,the Mongols seemed like kids asking for their allowance thus adding to their well deserved jail stints.You'd think one of the Mongols might have asked,"Wait a minute,Queen(or St. John) sells high-tech electronic equipment for an Avionics firm,maybe he's using some of it on us"But also remember how many stores are robbed right in front of a security camera with full lighting and witnesses.Greed is almost never rational though?
Most of the victims of these Motorcycle gangs are other motorcyclists(loner types) too often non-affiliated with a gang and therefore wide open to be a victim of groups like the Mongols.It greatly deflated my image of the fearless tattoed lone wolf cyclist, who challenges the world and its ideals.Probably from reading this book his"mission" ends rapidly as he is found dead or unconscious along the road and his bike confiscated by gangs like the Mongols.His hot-Harley honey also confiscated by the Mongols.Everyone talks about doing something about "bullies" but few to none ever do anything about them.Queen definitely did and it's good to know there are people like him out there.

I have always been fascinated about biker gangs and this book was easily the best book I have read about undercover operations and the information about one of the worst biker gangs ever. The detail by the author made it hard for me to put it down and I am not a huge reader. I was truly riveted. I highly recommend this book over other biker gang books that I have read by far.

I found this story very entertaining. A hard book to put down! However, there are points where you have to question if there is some fiction thrown in the story or weather Queen is being completely truthful about his involvement in certain circumstances. None the less, it is a very entertaining read.

Being a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang myself, as defined by the State of California, I loved this book. Finished it in one day.
Did you know the State of Calif. thinks every group with three patches on their vests is an outlaw? That means Police (Blue Knights), Firemen, (Red Knights), and the Christian Motorcycle Association are all outlaws. And we let them make decisions for us????????????? Great book!!!!!!

This story comes across 'almost' fictional but I sincerely believe it is not.

It's very hard to believe the author lived this life and lived to write about it. AND, it is even harder to believe that he is still alive - after he's published what he has written.

Excellent book.

Great book, and even if only 10% of it happened, the average person would be crapping their pants in those situations. What I'd REALLY like to read is those thousand+ hours of tape transcripts. It would likely provide some of the missing links to further details as mentioned by other reviewers here.

This book is the true account of an undercover cop who infiltrated a motorcycle gang and became a full-fledged member. The action is nonstop; the things this man endured to bring this group to justice is amazing! He must be an incredibly strong-willed person to have stuck this out for over two years and retained his sense of purpose. Thanks to men like Bill Queen, we are all safer.

The author, a retired ATF agent, goes undercover with a southern California chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang that comes off as even more violent and dangerous than the better-known Hells Angels. Queen draws compelling portraits of the psychopaths who populate this world, men who would have supposedly killed him in an instant if they ever discovered his true identity. Still, these guys couldn't have been all that treacherous because Queen managed to maintain his double-life for more than two years, living nearby and always trailed by his boss lurking somewhere in a shadowy unmarked car. How hard would it have been for a Mongol to follow him to his real home some night? Where this tale really fails is after Queen decides to end his charade and start making busts. We never get the perspective of any of the Mongols whose criminal portraits come to life before their arrests. What did they think after they learned they were riding with a cop all that time? This most dramatic aspect of the story is given short shrift in the final few pages, and we never really learn too much, either, about how his undercover act destroyed Queen's marriage and hurt his relationship with his young kids. Readers will be left with questions, but this is still an entertaining book.

and little more into the Mongols motorcycle club. The facts are obviously limited to what was in court. What's missing is how did he really survive for two years. Are we to believe merely delivering beer and drugs was enough to earn full patch?

This book gives the reader a realistic look at the life of an undercover Federal Agent. The book is easy to read, yet interesting and informative. If you want to take an entertaining look at the life of an undercover cop, read this book.

This book was an awesome read, I couldn't put it down. I have much respect for William Queen and the life he lead as an ATF Agent. He does an excellent job in taking the reader into the deep seeded underworld of the Mongol Nation. Special Agent Queen risks his life as Billy St.John in order to put some of America's most violent thugs behind bars. This is a must read for anyone interested in the happenings of the 1%er world.

William Queen has great big brass ones, to have not only associated with these criminals, but to have patched in to one of the most notorious and violent motorcycle gangs this side of the Hell's Angels. As a special agent of the Beaureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, he managed to fake his way to the top of the ranking officers in the Mongols Motorcycle Club without actually having to snort coke or methamphetamine, or commit murder, which are usually required before one achieves full patch status. The emotional turmoil he had to withstand while testifying against the brothers who's respect he spent over two years earning will put a lump in your throat.

I am by no means big on reading books but after reading some reviews on this one, i decided to pick it up and give it a read.
Once i started reading, i just couldnt stop. I was interested in what happened next so i ended up reading the book in 2 days.
Very rarely have i ever picked up a book and it just kept my attention but this one managed it.
Plus i hear they are making the story into a movie.

Too many books i have read in the past focus too much on the surrounding of the character and story and feel they must ramble on about how the sky looked, the smell of the air, a flash back of a similar moment. In other words they go into to much detail.
Billy would go into detail but still managed to keep things simple allowing for a interesting read. For me that made reading the book more enjoyable.

The only problem i have with the book and what ultimately kept me from giving the book 5 stars is billy never mentioned what happened to the two cops who drew their guns on him at a red light.
I was looking forward to hearing about them being fired and charged with attempted assault for pointing a firearm but nothing more was mentioned about them. Very disappointing.

I, like the previous reviewer bought this at the airport. WOW. From LA to the mid-west this was captivating. I only wish he didn't "temper" the realities and language. Would a Prospect say "please" so much?

I don't know...but this is a must read real-life entrance to danger.

A very interesting story of a different nature. I couldn't put it down! There were a lot of holes, though, where the author was unable to fill in the blanks due to a security kind of nature, I am sure. This book did give me an insight into the gang culture, and it is not a pretty sight. It also made me see that my job isn't as bad as I sometimes feel it is! To do what this cop did is a true act of incredible bravery. If you like reading true stories that show a different kind of life than most of us can imagine, this is it.

They ran drugs and trafficked in guns to fill the group's coffers; they got their kicks from assaults, gunfights, stabbings, and other hideous, random acts of violence. I still can't get over how he survived all that time under cover with out a scratch.
During his initial "prospecting" phase, Queen was at the mercy of crank-fueled criminal psychopaths who sought to have him test his mettle and prove his fealty by any means necessary, from selling (and doing) drugs, to arms trafficking, stealing motorcycles, driving getaway cars, and, in one shocking instance, stitching up the face of a Mongol "ol' lady" after a particularly brutal beating at the hands of her boyfriend.
A riveting story of a one-of-a-kind officer that takes you to the deepest and most dangerous part of undercover work. Highly recommended.

This man is truly a hero. This book tells the story of how he penetrated one of the most dangerous motorcycle gangs in the world (even became a full patch member and holding an office in the club) and brought many of them to justice. This story is phenomenal because it shows not only the bad side of these clubs, but also the love and loyalty that club members show each other. He could have portrayed his "brothers" in the Mongol gang as 100% evil. But he didn't. He was with them long enough to realize that some of them were really no different than he was. Some of them were closer to him than the people he worked with at the ATF. Bottom line, very very good book. Well written and extremely personal. I highly advise you to pick up this book. But once you pick it up, you won't even think about putting it down.

This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. It tells the true story of an ATF agent infltrating the most violent outlaw motorcycle gang. The story of the effects of this operation over the time period are compeling. THe devistation that it brings to his family and his social life are heart breaking. This comes as a highly recommended book for anyone who likes a story about the violence and love that can be had among people who are violent, even this story shows that people truely have hearts.

One has to admire the guts of William Queen - delving into a horribly violent and crazy Motorcycle Gang for two years to collect evidence to use against them. The writing is fast paced and the book is a quick read (4 or 5 hours tops). I found it a fascinating look at a totally different culture - the biker mafia culture. It was sometimes very scary and I can't believe that William Queen last two years. He made a great sacrifice (more than I would have asked for) to clean up the streets. Overall, a must read.

The most important thing that can be said is that the reader is almost sure to be entertained, even to the extent that he will be unable to perform other tasks until he has finished a chapter. The writing style is straightforward and believable and describes the kind of sensational gangsterism and criminality that American pop culture constantly tries to synthesize.

Eventually you start feeling like subject Billy Queen, as the constant criminal activity, violence, and drug/alcohol abuse start to wash over you and hardly register. But Queen manages to make each episode fresh and exciting, building to his being fully patched in as a member of the club despite several near-deadly misses.

The only quarrel I have with the book is that Queen is reluctant to admit mistakes or indiscretions that he committed during his 28 months in the club. Spending that much time in such a hardcore criminal organization was sure to entail some drug use, gang beatings, etc. that he was forced to participate in. And also, as hard as he tried, he must have made some bad decisions. He mentioned many dicey situations, but he always seemed to miraculously escape from having to do anything illegal or immoral. If that was actually the case, then he truly had a guardian angel watching over him.

Although I wish he had been more level in his reporting, "Under and Alone" still is a fantastic, believable read that gives a real glimpse into the criminal underworld that we love to romanticize.

The author is a brave man, no doubt, and the subject matter is a good one, a view into a side of life most of us will never see. Unfortunately the writing wasn't very good, many tired cliches and lame metaphors made this a clunky book to read.

There are few if any books that I've read in one afternoonj/evening sitting, but I just couldn't put this book down. William Queen, aka: "Prospect Billy" tells a hair raising narrative about life in the Mongols motorcycle gang as an undercover ATF agent. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire read. "Riveting" would be an understatement. Probably one of the most dangerous undercover assingments ever attempted. I can't wait until this story is made into a movie. Well done, William Queen!!

A truly fascinating book that takes you into the lives of some of America's most dangerous criminals. Well written and filled with intense moments you feel like you're there with Billy Queen as he goes through all the steps to infiltrate the gane. At the end you feel his emotion when he testifies against his former friends.

Note: This book is not recommended for children. Treat it like a PG-13 movie

William Queen was a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent who spent two years undercover as a member of the LA-centered Mongol Motorcycle Club. The Mongols were/are one of the most violent gangs in the country, motivated not by profit but by sheer mayhem, blood and beer. Queen becomes Billy St. James, grows his beard, and slowly makes his way up from Prospect to fully-patched member, then to Vice-President, of his chapter. Along the way, he gathers evidence about the many crimes planned and executed by the members of the Mongols (whose colorful names include Rancid, Panhead, and Red Dog). The book is a fast read, and Queen, thankfully, avoids any pop-psych analysis of the violent men with whom he rode. Nevertheless, he comments on some interesting aspects of human nature: he found his Mongol brothers far more sympathetic to the death of his mother than his fellow ATF agents, and he feels pangs of guilt as he records the conversations of men he knows would give their lives to protect him. The motorcycle life is a hard one, especially for women, who are considered property of the men and are frequently beaten. Queen describes one incident where he sowed up the broken, bleeding face of a beaten woman (he was a trained medic in Vietnam). The toll on Queen's family is high, and one gets the feeling that after writing this book, Queen himself will always be in danger. Even though the reader knows how the book will end - with Billy St. James turning back into ATF Agent Queen and testifying against his former brothers - Under and Alone remains suspenseful. Like the lion-tamer who defies death time and time again, Queen / St. James was able to keep his secret longer than he and the ATF ever thought possible, and risked death almost daily doing so. Highly recommended.

This is one of those books you don't leave alone until you finish. I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. The author went under cover for two and one-half years, infiltrating the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang. Before becoming a "full patch" or full member, he had to endure being a "prospect." He ultimately is successful but is almost derailed by law enforcement bureaucrats along the way.

The only part of the book I find hard to believe is that he was able to abstain from some of the rowdy or raunchy behavior. I would think an under cover operation would have to look the other way rather than risk being found out. Queen was in situations where he was asked to take drugs, fight, kill, rape and steal. He emphasizes that he got out of doing these things but I have my doubts. All told, though, a very exciting and interesting true crime story.

I often go on tour with bands and every year I'm on the lookout for a book that will keep me riveted as I try to read in noisy and distracting situations. If your needs are similar, I cannot recommend a book more highly than William Queen's harrowing, white-knuckled account of his adventures infiltrating the Mongols motorcycle gang. The storytelling is tense and often pretty coarse (maybe even a little sensational) which kept the pages turning for me. The book is filled with the most unbelievable array of characters that seem crazier than any even Hollywood could dream up and the events unfold at an increasingly breakneck pace.

But aside from all the vicarious thrills to be had by reading about the outlaw ways of Queen and his Mongol brothers, there is a real emotional core to this book that was just as compelling for me. The conflicting feelings of loyalty the author developed over the course of the investigation made for powerful reading and I couldn't hold back the tears when he spoke of the toll the whole situation took on the well-being of the children of the gang members in addition to his deteriorating relationship with his own young sons. This is a first-rate nonfiction potboiler with heart.

The other reviews will tell you about the book, so read them also. What I want to say is Queen is a TRUE American hero. In this day and age everybody that does just about anything is being labeled a hero - mostly not deserving. Queen demonstrates the true requirements of being a hero - self sacrifice, and dedication to duty. Queen and the other ATF agents that perform these very highly dangerous assignments have the stuff heroes are made of. This book should also take away the Romanticism some idiots seem to have with outlaw biker gangs. OMC are not cool they are violent and could not give a sh&# about America, except to hide behind a liberal law or two. No read this book see the truth, and come to know what it really takes to be a Hero. In addition, hopefully we will see the one on the Hell's Angles ATF conducted.

Queen takes you with him as he enters into the world of the "Mongols". It's a great book that's an easy read and hard to put down. Highly recommended.

Although as a cop in Chicago I moreso work with street gangs, I found this to be a realistic and fascinating book. I read it in one day, couldn't put it down.

I've never written a review for a book before but I felt compelled to do so after reading this one. It was fantastic. The book is engaging in that it provides an "insider's peek" into the world of the nation's most dangerous motorcycle gang. Under and Alone is a riviting page turner. I found myself chewing on my nails as I read tale after tale of Queen's numerous brushes with almost certain discovery of his true identity as a cop--discovery that would lead to his instantaneous death. Finally, it has heart as Queen shows how he became close to the Mongol members and began to see them as his brothers. Queen was often torn between his growing loyalty to the Mongols, who often showed him more love than anyone else in his life, and his duty as a cop to convict criminals. I would recommend this book to anyone.

This is an astounding work. A suspenseful, emotional, extremely insightful story that will leave you a different person. Certain to become a movie, but could not possibly match the quality of this writing.

This book was amazing! It is hard to believe that these people in law enforcement give up so much, their families, their safety, and their lives. I highly recommend this book. Billy Queen put himself on the line and then some.

This is one of the few books about outlaw motorcycle gangs that is accurate and riviting. William Queen is not only an outstanding law enforcement officer but is also an excellent writer. It is rare to find an individual with both talents. A must read for law enforcement officers everywhere.

This is a great story, what surprised me was that it was not one sided at all. He even recalls a time when police were, lets just say, not acting as they should be. Great read, took only a few days, I recommend it for anyone, law enforcement or not.

as with most books i've read, there is always something i see or hear that piques my interest in a topic/subject matter creating a domino effect that leads to obsessive reading. this seems to be the case here: "gimme shelter" led to sonny barger's "hell's angel" which led to the "gangland" television series and then to searching amazon.com for books about outlaw biker clubs, starting with "under and alone".

the first chapter of this book was such an effective teaser that it actually fooled me into believing the book was ghost-written due to the author not surviving his undercover assignment ... it worked, because i couldn't put it down.

the thought of a law enforcement officer having the courage to take such an assignment is one thing ... to follow through with that assignment and actually become a full-patched member of such an organization is simply amazing. even more impressive is the fact that queen does such an excellent job of taking the reader along with him ... a true "fly on the wall" perspective throughout the book.

every chapter contains moments where you feel as if queen wouldn't survive his assignment and you almost breathe a sigh of relief when oftentimes, a random moment of good fortune is all that saves him.

what makes "under and alone" such a good read is that the action never lets up ... it is nothing but a continuous series of battles: the battle to hide his true identity from a group in which every member is a potential murderer, the battle to portray himself as outlaw biker material yet not participate in criminal activity, the battle of being a father to his kids and maintain their safety during/after the assignment, the struggle of actually developing a fraternal relationship with men who he will eventually be sending to prison and the constant battle with the expected ineptitude of the agency responsible for keeping him alive. the best battle of all, however, is the continuous grief queen endures from one particular mongol ... "red dog".

i found myself constantly flipping to the pictures in order to place a face with the name of those mongols he writes about ... even "red dog".

the book left me with a feeling of apprectiation that there are people out there willing to do such dangerous work voluntarily. my only regret is that there is understandably no "where are they now" chapter because i would really like to know how certain mongols personally felt about queen and the success of his undercover work.

SA William (Billy) Queen's 2 1/2 years of investigating the Mongols motorcycle club as an undercover ATF agent is pure guts, grit, and courage. Of the many things Billy proved over the course of his investigation perhaps the most important was that such clubs CAN BE infiltrated by dedicated and well supported law enforcement officers.

This is a well-written, fast-paced page turner that once started simply cannot be put down until finished. Queen reveals both the Mongols and other outlaw motorcycle clubs for what they are behind all the media-hype romance...brutes on bikes whose only regard is for their own well-being and whose only respect is for their club patch.

Kudos to Billy Queen for riding the hard trail and bringing down some truly bad guys - his book is a testament to Honor, Loyalty, and Duty of the highest order in the circles of professional law enforcement.

I get that it takes a certain amount of ego and cockiness to pull off this kind of a sham, but how stressful a life like that must be! While I admire the undertaking Queen did, I did and still do keep asking myself why someone would want to do this. It seems like a heckofa lot of money was spent on this 2 year "investigation." American courts need to revamp the requirements needed for putting bad guys away. Miranda is just too expensive. This is a very unsettling book for me as a "victim" of our American justice (?) system, as a taxpayer seeing how money is doled out to investigations of this type that may or may not reap results, and at the absurdity put upon ATF agents in the whole keeping up the demeanor, but-you-can't-do-drugs-lest-you-go-to-the-hospital requirement. What a joke! It's like the good guys WANT the bad guys to keep harassing and brutalizing innocent victims by putting absurd stipulations/rules on the very folks trying to protect them.

It is immediately clear upon reading this book that Queen is a straightforward, honest and intellectually pragmatic man who has incorporated military thinking into his thought process. Under And Alone reads like an After Action Report, filled with meticulous detail which is to the point, simply written and is home to some unnecessary profanity ejaculations. Queens casual writing style is enjoyable but also entirely forgettable, writing as he would probably speak in person. The author doesn't strike me as a particularly talented or intelligent writer - but the content of Under And Alone more than make up for these nearly irrelevant shortcomings.

I read Under And Alone in one sitting - it was surely a page turner! You will be brought along on the dark epic journey of Queens transformation from clean cut ATF agent to bearded Mongol gangster. During the authors odyssey he begins to question his loyalties to the bureaucratic, cold and indifferent ATF administration and when his adopted mother dies finds no solace in the latters company, instead siding with his biker brothers who unanimously support him. At several points in the book we readers begin to wonder if Billy St. John, the authors biker alias, has replaced William Queen. While Queen never admits to committing any capital offenses and manages to hang onto his baseline of morality he increasingly becomes estranged from his supposed law enforcement brethren and hints at the possibility of simply fleeing with the Mongols.

Essentially this crisis of identity is what the story is about moreso than supposed heroics and the criminal investigation itself: as the book drags on more and more words are dedicated to commenting on the authors sense of inner turmoil and indecision. The final chapters of the book read like a sort of apology to the Mongols and it is clear that Queen performed his job of testifying against them with no joy or sense of pride but rather sadness and confusion. Ultimately Queen does hold onto his identity, declaring in the final lines of the book:

"Would you state your full name for the court, and spell the last name, please?"

It took me a moment to regain my composure. "Yes, Your Honor. It's William Queen. Q-U-E-E-N. Special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms."

William Queen presents a straightforward and compelling look at life within the most violent outlaw motorcycle gang in the United States. I found the most disturbing thing to be the movement of the gang across the United States, establishing locations in areas where local police have no experience dealing with them. Seeing the gang from the inside is a revealing and eye-opening story.

William Queen was an ATF agent who spent two and a half years living under cover as Billy St. John, a member of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Mongols, an international motorcycle gang. In his two years working the case, he "patched in" (became an official member of the gang) and worked his way up the ranks to an executive position, gaining unprecedented access to the inner workings of the gang, including its finances and official records. His case eventually led to the indictment of 53 Mongols on counts ranging from illegal possession of firearms to drug trafficking and murder.

While it's interesting to see how Queen worked himself out of predicament after predicament, weaving lies together to cover himself, you know he's going to make it out alright simply by the fact that he lived to write the book. So there's not a much tension in those moments in retrospect. To me, the interest of the book is in learning about the outlaw biker culture, and in the moral dilemma Queen faces when he has to testify against his "brothers." While he knows he's doing the right thing, he's also grown close to many of his fellow gang members, and he can sense that they really care for him too.

The writing sometimes lapses into the sort of gun-ho speak you find in war novels, but the story tears along at a ferocious pace and is in the end a quick, easy, fun read. And Queen should be commended for the sacrifices he made and the danger he repeatedly put himself in to serve his country.

Mr Queen's book is the best I've read on this subject. It was a real page turner that was impossible to put down after I started it. Not only is William Queen a dedicated law enforcement officer and biker, he is also an excellent writer. I enjoyed every page.

I am a member of a law enforcement motorcycle club myself and I recognized many of the conflicts Mr Queen experienced as he went through the process of becoming a patched member of an outlaw motorcycle club. He did this and was able to maintain his personal identity as a member of the ATF. All the while evading discovery by the club itself.

Great book and a great service rendered by Mr Queen. William Queen has real guts.

I liked the book. It was an easy read, I do wish it would have gone a little more into detail. After reading the book I wonder why the Monguls are/were considered such a violent gang. He wrote more about the posturing that was done.
Over all I would recomend the book.

Excellent book. It is well written. Few people know the difference between a motorcyclist and a biker. His book gives a view of motorcycle clubs from both the angle of being a police office and being a biker, a view that the public doesn't see. I have ridden motorcycles all my life. I have hung out with bikers and motorcycle clubs since I was big enough to walk. I am a retired police officer and a biker and have seen some things from the angle the author has seen it from. I have never worked under cover, and never cared to. He went much farther into his work than most police officers would care to, especially if they have a family of any kind to worry about. I salute the author in his boldness and daring in his work.

Besides keeping you interested until the end, this book does one other thing - it teaches you bravery. I know you know what bravery is, but do you know what bravery is?

In this day and age when a word like that can only make sense when associated with far away lands of Arabic speaking people, deserts and terrorist actions, this book will bring you back to American soil, to the cities we live in, to the streets we walk on, the roads we drive on, our own back yard. Bravery exists here and is made of self sacrifice and duty.
In the pages of this book you will discover what it takes a man to overcome the impossible, to expose himself to danger every day in order to accomplish his mission.

This is the true story of a hero who sacrifices himself daily for two years as an undercover agent of the FBI to bring down one of the worst motorcycle gangs in the history of America. I guarantee it'll keep you thrilled and the story will touch you deep inside and leave a mark.

-by Simon Cleveland

Under and Alone is a gripping, white-knuckle ride.

This is the story of William Queen, an ATF agent who spent 2 years undercover inside the notorious Mongol motorcycle gang.

Queen's tale is suspenseful, horrifying, funny and at times endearing. With gut wrenching honesty, Queen shows us the outlaw life of motorcycle gangs. It's not a pretty picture - violence and drugs reign. We are with him as he struggles in his assignment. Finding himself caught between two worlds, Queen is in a constant state of nervous tension, balancing his fear of being found out with his burning desire to put these cold blooded killers behind bars.

Throughout Queen is honest with us. He paints complex portraits of the gang memebers - some he even remembers fodly. A must-read for everyone. Highly recommended.

I bought this book because receintly I met a Mongol member. I had no idea what that meant, so, I bought this book. The book really gave me the inside story of everyday life inside of this outlaw motorcycle gang.

It is like watching a train wreck you know it is horribly wrong, but you can't look away. Or in this case stop reading.

This book was well written, a great story about an HONEST law enforcement officer(in a world that often times doesn't think one exists),and the, day to day beyond the call of duty, perils of Billy Queen's time undercover as amemeber of the ATF. You will not be disapointed with this book. I finished this book in a day and a half( I never read any book that fast) because I couldn't put it down and I had to know what happened next.I can't wait to see the movie! The release date is in 2008. I, a deputy sheriff myself, recommend this book highly to anyone considering a career as a cop ad is thinking about wanting to go undercover, someone contemplating joining a biker gang,and everyone else out there for that matter! God Bless, Don

I loved it. The writing is crisp and concise, and the "plot" (aka, real events) move along quickly. Never a dull moment, and a heart-pounding glimpse into a world most of us will never enter (and probably shouldn't.) I only wish he would have included us (readers) in the moment he finally cut off the long hair and beard once his undercover stint was over.

This book is both informative and entertaining. Queen really takes you into the world of the "1%" Motorcycle clubs.

Brilliant book. Loved it!

William Queen is an exceptionally brave and dedicated man.

He's a lot more intelligent than his fellow Mongols but fits right in. He really brings out the cameraderie and love between the biker gangsters that is one of the main attractions of the life they lead despite their often thuggish and scummy behaviour.

Queen is also a very good writer considering his actual job is a law enforcement officer.

.... This is one of the most amzing true-crime books I have ever read. I read it less than 24 hrs becasue I couldn't put the book down. The situations Billy was in (and got out of) made the hair on my neck stand up. Queen delivers an amazing experience that really made me feel like I was with him in some situations. Can't wait for the movie.

This book is and incredible look at a man who was able to infiltrate the Mongol MC. I have met Mr. Queen in person and was one of the lucky few to hear him speak on his unbelievable story. He is a great man, and if you have any interest in Outlaw Motorcyle gangs, GET THIS BOOK!

Great book and a fast easy read. I was sad when I finished it because I wanted to read more.

It isn't well written, but the story is tough. William Queen/Billy St. James really put his life and his family's life in peril to bring down some real-deal criminals. This will make a great movie some day.

Over all I really enjoyed this book...for entertainment purposes.
Parts of the story line conflicted. I do believe that if discoverd he would have been killed. I don't believe for a second that he did 28 months with out ever doing drugs seeing how drugs were such a HUGE part of this chapter's life style. I also believe that IF the HAMC really wanted to, they would have wiped out the mongols just like they took care of the Rock machine in Canada. It seems to me the chapter he was with were a bunch of total loosers hell.......most didn't even have a decient motorcycle. I dont think that chapter would have survived anyways with Drugs distroying them.

But like I said for an enjoyable read it is well written and I would recomend it, but dont think for a minute you will walk away with knowledge of 1% workings

I bought this book for myself and a buddy of mine. After we both read the book we couldn't stop talking about the characters and the whole ordeal. I couldn't put the book down after the introduction page. I would read one chapter then find myself 3-4 chapters deep before I knew it.

It made me feel that I was reliving this man's experience and I was part of the excitement of his undercover realm.

I rate this book a 5 star rating, because the ease of reading the book and the gripping story that kept me captivated.

This is the first book in years that kept me up at night reading, it's like your caught up in the undercover rush from start to finnish.

This book was a great window into the world of undercover agents and the stresses of their job. Queen's assignment was clearly one of the most dangerous ones to be taken on and he's lucky he lived to tell about it. You'll find yourself finishing the novel not long after you started it, it's a page-turner for sure.

You can't help but feel for Queen when he's missing his "real" family, yet dealing with the low-life biker gang members on a daily basis. As another poster suggested, I suspect Queen left out much of the illegal activities he was involved in while with the Mongols, obviously b/c of his position. My only complaint about the novel is that it wasn't longer. I enjoyed his stories very much and I'm sure there were many he left out ~ considering he was with the gang for 2 years.

Other reviewers are wrong, he did not give all biker gangs a bad name, merely the ones who run criminal enterprises.

Since I am a retired ATF agent myself and know Bill personally, it is an easy book to read and review. He lived by his wits and trusted himself. The author is one the most honest people I met in my career. He takes thru an entire investigation from the undercover side and does an excellant job in doing so.

This book is a must read for anyone in law enforcement. I could not put it down. The way the author describes events and people is easy to follow, and a pleasure to read. I have met people that worked on that case and this book provides the reader with a great insight into the world of OMG.

Everyone in the house has read this book and couldnt put it down! Great story, great sacrifice!

It doesn't matter your view on patch clubs - be they modern day Robin Hoods, a bunch of guys out to have a good time, or gangs of thugs - you would have to agree an undercover agent trying to infiltrate one of these clubs is really putting his life on the line.

ATF Special Agent William Queen - aka biker Billy St John - doesn't attempt to get into any old club, he is approached to go under as part of an operation against the Mongol Nation. The Mongols are reputedly one of the most violent outlaw biker clubs in today's America. Not only does he go through the arduous journey of first being accepted as a hang around, and then a Prospect, he actually gains full patch status within the Mongol Nation. This is despite never being trusted by Red Dog who is always in "Billy's" face and dealing out physical abuse.

Under and Alone is an incredible page turner and to draw it out I had to really force myself to put it down on numerous occasions so I didn't finish it in one sitting. This is an amazing insight into the world of the 1% patch clubs and through reading the book you can see "Billy St John" is responsible for literally saving the lives of many people. He does this for the most part by deflection through reasoning with his brothers who are ready to just flippantly murder someone; and at other times it's by fighting shoulder to shoulder with his "Pres" and attempting to remove the person from murderous harms way, without appearing to do so.

For more than two years William played the part of biker Billy St John and you can really feel his personal anguish as the lines blur between his role as an ATF Special Agent and the camaraderie of being a full patch member. Despite feeling torn at times it's never long until William is reminded just why he is doing his job. Gun running, drugs, random violence, extortion and murder are among the many things William testified against the Mongols when the operation was finished and are covered in this book. William is a fantastic writer and you can feel his every emotion as he goes through the roller coaster ride of being a brother in the Mongol Nation.

I could not put this book down. It is a rapid, riveting read. Living quite near to where most of the book took place, I will now look quite differently at some of the drunken unruly people in bars! My one criticism (and compliment)of the book is that it is too short. It could be twice as long and still hold the reader captive. There are large gaps in time where I am wondering what transpired.

After reading the book it is hard not to become emotionally involved. There are so many unanswered questions: Did William Queen ever hear any feed-back about the book from any of the characters featured in the book? Is he still hidden in Plano, Texas? How are his ex-wife and children doing? Are Rocky and Domingo still in jail?

It is difficult not to get attached to all the people in the book; the good, the bad and the ugly. I came away with a soft spot for some of the worst criminals and after reading it felt the same confusion that Queen expressed about the mixed emotions he felt for his brothers in the Mongols.

This story of an ATF officer infiltrating the very tough Mongol motorcycle gang in Southern California is interesting but I have one question. Was it really worth the time and expense to catch a bunch of small-time gun runners, dope sellers, and miscellaneous crimes such as wife abuse and various assaults? This isn't meant to demean the excellent undercover work by Bill Queen but as I read the book my first thought was whether it was really worth the time/money not to mention risk to Bill Queen. For example one of the main gang members who Queen initially meets is Rocky. But he's not a major player. Abusive to his wife, can't hold a regular job, neglect bordering on child abuse and yes, he is a small time thief, gunrunner, drug user/seller and miscellaneous assaults. At some points I found myself laughing at these overgrown adolescents who really just want a sense of brotherhood.

And that is where the book is the best, describing the camaraderie of being a member of the club. When Queen's aunt (think quasi-mother) dies, he hits on how touched every member of the Mongols were but his ATF partners showed no such compassion, probably just because they are busy with their own lives. He also overlays how this time-consuming operation damaged his family relationships and eventually led to his ex-wife and kids being moved for fear of retribution. But the summation statement of this book is when the Mongol arrests start and a fellow Mongol calls to tell him they know who the snitch is and they are going to kill him. Unfortunately, they don't realize it is Queen so he has to disclose that he is the snitch to save the other member's life.

Other than feeling that the story was somewhat exaggerated to make this mini-crooks look like the worst people in the world this is an entertaining book. Not the fastest read I've had but if you are like many Americans and fascinated by current day outlaws it is enjoyable.

When i first heard about this book it piqued my interest. subject matter being somewhat close to home living in southern california and knowing some of the Mongols. what impressed me was the immersion into the life complete isolation from friends and family.

i sat and read this book today, it was not a long or complex read. the plot moves quickly and i found it extremely hard to put down. i felt for queen and the choices he had to make. i question his drug usage and involvement in violence and wonder what really happened. i also find it hard to believe that somebody with his background and history is so opposed to getting his hands dirty for the sake of his undercover persona. i feel that he probably toned it down so as not to look like a psycho. however whatever the motivations it is a compelling and worthwhile read and definitely suggested for any biker or some such.

This is one of the best books I have ever read, Queen easly takes us through his life while under cover. I couldn't put it down.

This book is a very gripping and compelling look at undercover law enforcement work. It outs you in the boots of a veteran ATF agent who sacrificed his family life for over 2 years to hang out with one of the most violent motorcycle gangs around.

His close calls of being found out and tests before being fully "patched in" will keep you on the edge of your seat. This shows an inside look at undercover work and how it can play with your emotions and second guess your true identity. The struggles of interacting with his family and regular society and other police looking like a gangster and trying to keep his true identity hidden from his own gang keeps this story intense emotionally.

I looked forward to reading this book and finishing it each day at lunch but at the end of the book I didn't want the action to end.

Billy Queen is clearly an amazingly smart and tough guy. His tale of inflitrating the Mongrols, moving from 'Hang Around' to 'Prospect' to Treasurere and then Vice President of the local chapter is fascinating and well written. And it will quickly disabuse you of any notion that the the Mongols are OK guys have chosen their own path. While some people may have been OK when they joined, Billy makes clear the gang and its members are all to happy to hurt and kill with little or no reason.

Things the book does really well: Give a feel for day to day life in the gang, outline historical background to the Mongols/Hells Angels flue, give a sense of Billy's double life- knowing his gang friends would kill him at the drop of the hat, and that a large chunk of ATF would rather see everything he'd risked his life for throw away then chance the smallest public embarrassment.

The things I found lacking: Would have to liked to know even more about the gangs structure and the relationship between the head chapter (Mother) and the local chapters, would have liked to see more detailed sketches on even more of the members. Still, these are pretty trivials issues.

If you are interested in motorcycle gangs this book is required reading.

I have read several "Biker" books and this one has to be the best so far.
For all the content that could have been included, this book was too short. I wish there was an Under and Alone II or III.
Well worth the money.

This is one of those rare books I had to force myself to put down so I wouldn't read it all in one sitting... I read it in two. What a story!

Could'nt put this book down. It does'nt matter who's side you're on with this book because the line between fades. Poor Billy must have been one messed up dude when this was over.

A interesting read, but makes you wonder how much was actual fact and how much was embellished. For cops and people who like to read similiar stuff, the reader will experience the fear, the adrenaline, and the excitement of an undercover agent.

Have you ever known how it feels to be totally alone and afraid for you life? Read Under and Alone, and you will know. William Queen, has done an incredible job of bringing his time as an under cover agent for the ATF to life on these pages.

He gave up three years of being with his family to do the unheard of, becoming a patched in member of the Mongols Motorcycle Club. Then to rise within the club to become an officer. Yet everyday was filled with the fear of being found out and murdered. His bravery and commitment towards the investigation is profound, yet you get the feeling that even though he did his job. He developed a personal relationship with some of the most dangerous people this country has every seen.

This is a must read book if you have ever been in or around the motorcycle life style, whether you are a weekend warrior or a true blue motorcyclist.

What a great read. Fast paced. Great balanced detail. Very exciting twists and turns. Fantastic human insight, truly sympathetic.

Read it in a day, simply couldn't put it down.

Thrilled to learn they're making a movie out of this, possible with Mel Gibson in the lead.

Bill, thank you for sharing your amazing story.

My dad is a hardcore Harley enthusiast, and former Motorcycle shop owner. He knows a lot about various OMGs from being in the business, but enjoys reading about them still. I bought this book for him several months ago, and he said it was one of the better OMG books he had read. I acquired the book several days ago, and sat down to read it. I had a hard time putting it down. William Queens infiltration of the Mongols was fascinating and exciting to read about. I really enjoyed how he didnt make these outlaws seem inhuman and unfeeling all the time. This truly was one of the best OMG books Ive read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with any interest in motorcycle gangs.

This is a well written book about the undercover exploits of a true hero. A great view into the dark world of outlaw motorcycle culture.

From the standpoint of someone in Law Enforcement