The Boys From Hicks Drive Vienna, Virginia: True Adventures of Growing Up During The 1960s and 70s in The Best Small Town In America Paperback – December 13, 2018

This book was so entertaining for me and I have passed it on to many that grew up in the neighborhood. I was aLso the paper boy during those times for customers on Hicks drive. Every story I could relate to and even knew some mentioned. The book brought me right back to those fond memories and inspired even more similar memories of being free to explore encounter and experience pure adventure in every direction we turned. We lived on the other side of wolf Trap creek from Todds farm. Each story was filed with adventure and fun. The book covers every school that I went to throughout Fairfax county and even into my college years at ODU. It even covers a brief stay at the Vienna Police department after a Halloween stunt of piling pumpkins in our van and distributing them from the farm on Rte 7, down trap rd thru to Old Courthouse rd and onto to Rte 123 where we were apprehended with the stolen loot. Pumpkins. I felt really bad about that until I read about the failed grave digging extraction but the end result was the same. Busted by the Vienna Cops!!. Later we actually made friends with the authorities to be and laughed about the whole incident. He really did a great job paying tribute to the Todd family and teachers at Joyce Kilmer. I loved the fact that the boys stayed in touch for more than 50 years. That in itself is worthy of a book. I recommend this book to anyone who grew up in the 60's and 70's as a must read. We had such a great childhood and were very fortunate. our childhoods define us in our adult lives. For the boys on hicks drive I pay tribute. My only regret is that I was not the kid on the bike on a high speed decent down Campbell rd. I still have a bike and campbell rd is still there. Anyone up for the death plunge II. Loved the book. Thanks to Rick and all who helped with this project- TW

I found this book by accident when it was mentioned in a FB group about "Growing Up in Northern Virginia". As soon as I saw the name of the book and the name of the author I knew this was going to be a meaningful and fun read for me. I grew up very close by and knew many of the people and all of the places mentioned in the book. The main things I look for in a book are to be entertained, enlightened, or both and it hit both of those marks for me! While as a reader I have the advantage knowing the places, people, and the truth of much of this, I still think it could be a fun read for almost anyone who grew up in any area of the country similar to the outskirts of Vienna, VA in the 1960's.

I believe anyone growing up suburban in the 60's can relate to Rick Speight's adventures. From learning which neighborhood bullies to avoid and whose mom offered the best snacks, to advice on how to deal with inebriated friends (and inebriated friends' guard dogs), Rick adds rich details, humor and warmth to each story to bring it all to life. If we haven't been there ourselves, we each know someone who has. I am fortunate to personally know someone who has lived it and has the writing ability to share it with the world. Thank you, Rick!

Anyone growing up in the 60’s and 70’s will enjoy reading The Boys From Hicks Drive. Fun adventures of more innocent times when kids met down the street to play ball or hung out at the pool instead of being glued to their electronics. So glad I grew up during these years. Hope I didn’t have one of those revealing swimsuits! Oh what the heck, maybe I do hope I turned a head or two under water back in the day!

I loved this book! Well-written, insightful, with so many humorous stories that took me right into the lives of these lifelong friends. I especially liked how the music was an integral part of the memories, and the power it has to transport. I was able to relate to my own childhood and youth in a small town during these same years, and how universal the author's themes are for us all. A really fun read! Hope there will be more.

Rick Speight captures the the thrills and chills of young boys growing up during a simpler time in rural northern Virginia. The boys spent their summer days playing baseball, fishing, exploring,and learning about girls. I didn’t know how much fun was happen just over the hill from our house.

This book is a must for those who grew up in the 60's and 70's. The antics of these boys from my hometown were the same antics all boys at that time we're enjoying.(Although I'm not so sure they were all thinking about grave robbing!) Told from the heart, these true stories of boys I grew up with are spot on. I laughed all the way through it. It brought back wonderful memories of my Junior high/highschool years.

Reading Rick Speight’s THE BOYS FROM HICKS DRIVE VIENNA VIRGINIA could’ve easily had my own hometown in the title. The cast of characters he so vividly presentedWe’re just like those in my own neighborhood. Thanks Rick for bring me back to a time of fond memories.