By Dean Rappa

Three friends. One wild summer. Three Young Men is a true story of freedom, friendship, and fearless adventure. Dean Rappa takes you on a journey you won’t forget as they travel from the tracks to the Jersey Shore.

About The Author

Dean Rappa

Dean Rappa was just eighteen when he set out on the unforgettable journey that inspired Three Young Men. Raised with a love for the outdoors and a thirst for adventure, he found meaning not in the classroom but out on the open road. That summer, he and two close friends followed their hearts into the unknown, chasing freedom one train car at a time. What started as a road trip became a life-shaping experience filled with friendship, risk, and discovery.

Now five decades later, Dean finally shares the story that stayed with him all these years. With honesty, humor, and a sharp memory for the moments that mattered most, he brings readers into his world as it was then. Raw, real, and full of wonder. His writing reflects a man who lived fully, learned deeply, and never forgot the power of saying yes to adventure.

About The Book

THREE YOUNG MEN

Three Young Men is a true coming-of-age story about three friends who set out on a road trip that turned into the adventure of a lifetime. At just eighteen, they left behind familiar streets and headed into the heart of the unknown. From a quiet visit with a friend’s grandmother in Geneseo, Illinois, to hopping freight trains toward the East Coast, every stop brought new challenges, deep laughs, and unforgettable moments. Along the way, they found love, forged stronger friendships, and learned what it really means to grow up. The journey was raw, risky, and wildly alive.

This book captures the spirit of youth, the thrill of freedom, and the power of experience. It’s not just about travel but about finding who you are when nothing is planned and everything is real.

Chapters

Chapters We Have

Chapter

01

Surprise Visit from Dieter

On a sweltering football field, Deano feels fed up and ready for something more. Just when life seems stuck, his friend Dieter shows up with a plan that changes everything.

Chapter

02

Telling My Parents That I'm Going on a Road Trip

Breaking the news wasn’t easy. With nothing but determination and seventy bucks, Deano faces his parents’ reaction to a dream they never saw coming.

Chapter

03

The Journey Starts

Packed in like sardines, the boys hit the road. Between cramped seats and beer debates at the border, their wild ride officially begins.

Chapter

04

Chasing Rabbits

As dawn breaks, Deano finds peace in chasing rabbits and watching the sunrise. With cheap food, good friends, and open skies, it already feels like freedom.

Video

Book Trailer

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