The Amboy Dukes(1946)

Irving Shulman

The Amboy Dukes is a powerful story of a gang of tough and brutal boys whose values were all wrong and whose standards were just as bad.They hung around the street corners, picked up girls, smoked grass, used dirty language, picked fights and carried guns, knives and brass knuckles.They were interested in making money but never willing to work for it.Even the gang-rape of a 12 year-old girl is not the end oftheir Murder isA fascinating insight into violent life among teen age gangs in New York city during the 1940s. Has influenced a generation of readers including James Dean and Elvis Presley. Was made into a film in the 1950 CALLED "City Across the River"