Street Justice

Chuck Zito comes by his reputation honestly as one of the toughest, most uncompromising men ever to sit astride a Harley. Now, with tales both hilarious and chilling, violent and truthful, Zito tell his life story in his own words.

From growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn and the Bronx, where fighting was a way of life, to becoming president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels, the wild and crazy life of protecting some of the world's biggest celebrities, Zito might be seen as a latter-day outlaw, the last of a dying breed of men. But throughout his tempestuous days, one thing defined him: his unfailing sense of justice, of what's really right and what's really wrong. That's how Zito found himself facing his biggest challenge: refusing to cooperate with a federal investigation into his brothers, the Hells Angels, and in the process losing the very thing he cherished most-his freedom.

Zito's astonishing recovery from this experience, and the unique kind of stardom he forged based on hard work and sheer will, is a testament to his courage, his ambition, and his indomitable heart-a testament now recorded unflinchingly in Street Justice.

From the streets of Brooklyn to the set of Oz. From Hells Angel to celebrity bodyguard. The revealing autobiography of an American man.

Chuck Zito comes by his reputation honestly as one of the toughest, most uncompromising men ever to sit astride a Harley. Now, with tales both hilarious and chilling, violent and truthful, Zito tell his life story in his own words.

From growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn and the Bronx, where fighting was a way of life, to becoming president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels, the wild and crazy life of protecting some of the world's biggest celebrities, Zito might be seen as a latter-day outlaw, the last of a dying breed of men. But throughout his tempestuous days, one thing defined him: his unfailing sense of justice, of what's really right and what's really wrong. That's how Zito found himself facing his biggest challenge: refusing to cooperate with a federal investigation into his brothers, the Hells Angels, and in the process losing the very thing he cherished most-his freedom.

Zito's astonishing recovery from this experience, and the unique kind of stardom he forged based on hard work and sheer will, is a testament to his courage, his ambition, and his indomitable heart-a testament now recorded unflinchingly in Street Justice.

Publishers Weekly

In a meandering memoir that ranges from his childhood in the Bronx to his days as a nose-busting Hells Angel and bodyguard to the stars, Zito (who uses "Fuggedaboutit!" without a dose of irony) proudly recounts the details of street fights in which he knocks out yet another drunk who "challenges a representative of the most notorious motorcycle club in the land." More interesting than the KOs are Zito's chronicles of fellow Hell's Angels brothers such as John "The Baptist" LoFrancco, Charming Chuck, Terrible Ted and Mike the Bike, and the turf wars, bike runs, clubhouse rituals and cell time they share with Zito (who spent almost six years in prison for conspiracy drug-trafficking, despite his claims of innocence and a drug-free lifestyle). The celebrity clientele of the author's Charlie's Angels Bodyguard Service are a who's who of the 80s: the list includes Mickey Rourke, Liza Minelli and Sly Stallone, all of whom appeared at his trial in his defense. Zito's status as a regular on the HBO series Oz is proof that his street cred has earned him a place in Hollywood-rumor has it he's even got his own upcoming USA Networks series, Chuck Zito's Street Justice-and this humble memoir is equal parts gritty and entertaining. 8-page color photo insert, 44 b&w photos throughout. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Chuck Zito, bodyguard to the stars, a former Golden Gloves boxer, martial-arts expert, past president of the New York Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels, and actor on the award-winning HBO drama Oz, is the star of the upcoming USA Network series Chuck Zito's Street Justice. He lives in New Rochelle, New York.

Joe Layden, is an award-winning journalist and an author of more than twenty books, including Home Before Daylight and the number one New York Times bestseller The Rock Says. He lives in upstate New York.