The Vandals
- ISBN-10
- 0738803197
- ISBN-13
- 9780738803197
- Series
- The Vandals
- Category
- Juvenile Fiction
- Pages
- 300
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1998-10-01
- Author
- John Vikara
Description
Nostalgia. Nostalgia. Nostalgia. It was the Fifties and they were a symbol of rebellious youth. They were the guys - and their girls - on the street corner, in the local candy store or hanging around the schoolyard. They wore the classy jackets, listened to the coolest music and got their names in the newspapers. Their story is told through the individual members, each with their own agenda and their own piece of Vandal history. As the years progress from 1954 until the end of the decade seven different members take their turn in the spotlight. Experience the days when a pulp paperback took you inside the circle of the street clubs and gangs of the Fifties. It started when they were thirteen and fourteen-year-olds. They were bucking the adults; teachers, parents, police while seeking their identity and their desire to form from an unruly group of neighborhood kids into a recognized organization. They were the early supporters of a new music sensation that was spawned from Rhythm and Blues and becomes Rock and Roll. They learn how to be street-smart from watching older gang members but must still wait their turn until they can achieve their goal. By 1955 they are on the verge of recognition but must prepare for their first major rumble against an older gang who refuses to relinquish claim on the neighborhood. Kelly Petrillo, newly elected president of The Vandals must defeat his long time abusive older cousin, the president of the Madhatters, to solidify the Vandals' reputation. Johnny Sadinski, a foster child and vice-president of the Vandals, struggles internally with his existence while he and some of his fellow Vandals frolic through a day in 1956, only to end the day in depression and despair, longing for something more meaningful in his life. That evening Red Janek, the war counselor, trying to balance his emotions between his family and his club duties, and driving himself to the brink of instability, finds a real enemy as he and the Vandals must continue to prove themselves. They have to face off against another older group at a local movie theater and it culminates in an explosive ending. Jim Yadenik, self-proclaimed historian of the club, writes the next section of the book in first person, exploring his relationship with the Vandals as a replacement for a weak family life. He doesn't fit the tough-guy gang member stereotype but finds comfort in their ranks. The three-part story takes Jim through a stormy night-into-day dodging trouble and hoping to win the affection of a girl who might change his life. It's 1957 and success and prosperity are finally achieved, but some Vandals are not satisfied with the complicity of the leadership. Sonny Kraus, now the war counselor, plots his rise to the presidency of the Vandals and creates a split in the ranks. Aided by a scheming girlfriend Sonny has uncharacteristically fallen for, he unwittingly takes his followers from a rebellion to forming their own chapter to the brink of extinction. With the backdrop of hot-rods and drag racing, 1958 finds Shades Gaglione, one time secretary-treasurer of the club, returning to the neighborhood to pick up where he had left off. He finds only a few minor players in the old neighborhood and strikes out to locate the faction involved in criminal activities so he can practice his skill in making money. A hit and run accident puts a damper on his plans. As the decade draws to an end, Madge Wilson adopts Johnny Sadinski and tries to form them and her son, Pete into a loving family. Pete is bitter and mistrusting from his just completed stretch in a reformatory and balks at his mother's efforts. Madge is also concerned about her two sons becoming more deeply involved in the racketeering activities run by acting Vandal president, Benny Petrillo. An epilog describ
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Other editions
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- 2017-02-23
- 46 pages
- Paperback
- Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
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