Lost Boys of the Bronx

A Highly Recommended Read- Don't Pass up the opportunity to check this book out!

How do you do justice to the past, whether recent or far off past? There is not easy answer to this question. Too often I find that there are few writers who handle any past history objectively, rather than presenting an unbiased true account of events the writer bandies about their own opinions regarding historical people or events without truly knowing the state of mind of those who actually lived during those times. More often than not when one reads an account of someone's life, the account is presented in a very methodical almost professor like tone which causes the reader to fall asleep after only a few pages. I am very pleased to say that the book Lost Boys of the Bronx: the Oral History of the Ducky Boys Gang is unlike any historical account of a group of people that I have ever read. The author James Hannon approaches the history of the Ducky Boys Gang in an entirely different way than what I am used to reading. He actually obtained the information, not only from literary research, from the mouths of those people who actually lived as a part of the gang. James takes these stories and research and molds them together flawlessly in a way that is both entertaining and informative. Another thing that I was impressed by while reading this book was that James remained objective, simply stating what happened in the lives of the Ducky boys gang without inserting judgmental opinions or without glorifying any wrongs that may have been committed by those about whom he wrote about. There is an easy accessibility to James' writing that draws the reader in and holds them enraptured by a tale that is both exciting and tragic at the same time. This is a book which talks about love, sadness, anger, frustration, joy, mischievousness, etc. Lost Boys of the Bronx: the Oral History of the Ducky Boys Gang is, in my humble opinion, a story of the human condition and of one man's journey to know more about his own backyard. This Book is an essential read for anyone. When you finish this book you walk away with the feeling that you have been a part of something INCREDIBLY special. It is like the reader is sitting right next to James as a partner sharing in the stories and history of the Ducky Boys Gang equally. I can easily guarantee to anyone that after reading this you will not remain unaffected. You will, like me, find yourself as you close the book uttering the words "Ducky Boys Forever!"

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An Irish-American Bronx Tale

The Lost Boys of the Bronx is eloquently narrated by the author and former members of the gang making this book a quick read. Additionally, you will find that even if you are not an Irish American kid that grew up in the Bronx, you can still relate to this book because gangs sprout just about anywhere. Some are urban while others are suburban and secretive but hardly ever an isolated phenomenom that would affect more an ethnic group over another. I enjoyed the historical bit and stats on the Bronx in the intro. Awesome job by Mr. Hannon!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Didn't want it to end!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Anyone growing up in the Bronx in the '60s probably at least heard of the Ducky and the Ducky Boys. And like me, may have even known one or two members but until this book came out we really didn't know much "about" the Ducky. What I really liked about this book is that it stays with the facts and doesn't try to Greaser up the Ducky to fit the usual image of urban gangs but shows them as an independent young group of like-minded friends who while being Bronx street savvy and tough, actually had their home turf in tracts of parkland amidst the sights and sounds of nature. This incongruous identification with nature (animals, birds, trees, lakes, rocks, tunnels, fire) added to their mystery and separated them from other city gangs of the era. Through documentary-style reminisces we are brought back to a time when anyone, whether friend or foe, who came in contact with the Ducky Boys (and Girls) knew up front that they were the real thing. James Hannon's book has saved this neglected corner of Bronx history from the windswept ravages of extinction. I give this book 5 stars for its honesty and for giving us insight into such a unique and legendary subject matter.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must have for your Bronx library.

I'll start with the disclaimer that I was interviewed for this book (as an outsider of the gang who knew some later members) as a result of my contact with the author through the Bronx Board.

I just finished reading the book and it was a bittersweet trip through the Norwood Bronx of the 60s. I thought it was an honest, unbiased account of the neighborhood and the members of the gang and a couple of their victims too.

For posters on the Bronx Board who have voiced their displeasure with the notion of a book about the gang, you may take comfort in the number of casualties the members endured. There are quite a few who did not make it to adulthood. Those people are missed but not necessarily glorified by the accounts in the book (nor are they disrespected). Readers may also be impressed with those members that went on to lead productive/successful lives.

The maps and photos were pure nostalgia. Quite interesting to see the old neighborhood through aerial photos and my (now) adult eyes. I used to think everything was so far away (we walked everywhere) and to see how close it all actually is to each other makes me want to walk those streets again with my grown up legs.

Bronx historian Lloyd Ultan provides a socio-economic explanation and back drop to the dynamics of the neighborhood at the time that gives you a perspective of where members of this generation fit in the evolution of the Bronx. I have shared Prof. Ultan's books (It Was Only Yesterday, The Beautiful Bronx) with my children so they could gain a perspective on where their old man comes from. I will do the same with this book.

The book had that same effect that other Bronx books (i.e. Sewer Balls, From the Block, The Amorous Busboy, Dreaming of Columbus, etc.) have had on me; I didn't want it to end. James Hannon delivers the story in a unique format and gives us an opportunity to meet and gain the perspective of some of the central figures of the gang as adults. Well done, Mr. Hannon. It's a must have for your Bronx library.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Steal this book!!

I couldn't put this book down. It was a great that the author let the Ducky Boys tell their stories, he let them speak for themselves. I also really liked how the author put in little "author notes" where he explained exactly what they meant from a certain place you might not know (slang) to a certain kind of breath mint they were talking about.

It left me wanting to hear more stories about the Ducky.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A real page-turner!

An easy and entertaining read, this compilation of interviews/stories is one that anyone from the Bronx can easily relate to. Even those not from the Bronx will appreciate the honesty that comes straight from the mouths of Duckies!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing.Loved it!!!

This book is not your typical 'gang' story. The author brings you back in time to the 60's in the Bronx, and how it was for the teens of that era. I loved the illustrations and the way he made you feel you were 'right there' in that time and place. It's a very easy read book, and you can not only 'imagine' the places he writes about, but also 'see' them through all the pictures along with the story. He brings you through the fun, the sadness, the problems and antics of that era, along with the group called the Ducky Gang! I thoughroughly enjoyed being taken back to that time, and the descriptions of what 'really was' by reading the actual interviews the author James Hannon had with many of the gangs former members. You just can't help to feel involved with the members and the area.
A Must read!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Lousy Read

Should have been called the Sucky Boys. Boring... No surprises here.

Begjdj

What is this book?!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Just ordered the book

Hey everyone......I just wanna say I am looking forward to receiving this book. This book is based on some of my family members. My uncle Kevin is one of the people that helped with the information provided to the Author. My family was very large and had alot to do with the Ducky Boys. The house they speak of as "The Ducky House" is actually my grandmothers house.
With that being said, I am very excited to order/receive and read this book. I've heard many stories of my families past and I've also seen The Wanderers in which The Ducky Boys were one of the gangs that were focused on.
Thank you Mr. Hannon for writing this book and focusing on a great piece of 1960's gang life. I'm looking forward to reading this. Once I am done reading I will post a review from my standpoint. I'm very proud of the history of my family and heritage and I think this book will be a very exciting read. Thank You again Mr. Hannon

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