THREE YOUNG MEN
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
Testimonials
What Our Reader’s Say
A total page-turner. I couldn’t believe some of the stuff these guys did. It made me want to take my own trip and stop playing life so safe.
Kevin Marshall
This book brought me right back to being young and fearless. It felt like I was riding those trains with them. A beautiful reminder of how adventure shapes us.
Michael Turner
I laughed out loud more than once. Deano’s voice is honest, raw, and hilarious. It’s rare to find a book that feels like a conversation with an old friend.
Sandra Lopez
This isn’t just a story about a road trip. It’s about friendship, risk, and that moment in life when everything feels wide open. Loved every page.
Tina McAllister
I started reading just to pass the time and ended up finishing it in one sitting. It’s that good. You feel every mile they travel.
Rachel Whitmore
Peter Evans
There’s something timeless about this book. Even though it happened years ago, the emotions, the freedom, the laughs, they all feel so fresh.
Jonathan Rice
Dean Rappa nailed it. The way he captures youth, spontaneity, and that need to break away from routine hit me right in the heart.