Chicago Rage

by Ronald Schulz

A time in US history. A time of turmoil. And a time of unrest. A five-part memoir as seen through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Ron trying to earn enough money to continue his exploration of the emerging Counterculture, just after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. From the exploration of the underground culture of Chicago to the streets of New York, this recollection of the riots and first inter-racial romance tells of the trials we all face, even today. And then Karen entered his life - a young run-a-way with wild thoughts of tearing down Pig City. From freedom to jail, Ron must re-evaluate his life’s direction and to look at the world in a wider scope. Take an amazing journey through the memory of a man from another generation as he struggled to find his position in life–as most of the world is doing today.

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2022

About the author

RONALD SCHULZ was born in 1952 in Chicago. He dropped out to explore the Sixties radical counterculture before hitchhiking across Europe and Africa on a roundabout Buddhist pilgrimage to Nepal. Now a semi-retired hobo, and a new author writing his honest history of those tumultuous times, he hopes to honor the memory of departed friends before he too vanishes from this planet. He has taken advanced writing classes at the University of Washington and Hugo House. Ronald is a father of two, and grandfather of three, who believes in living life to the fullest, regardless of circumstances.

Reviews

[Arielle Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a deep breath and get ready for a non-stop, mindblowing ride through the streets of Chicago and beyond during one of the most chaotic and profoundly intense period of modern history - the 60s.

Ronald Schulz takes us into the mind of a confused, yet highly idealistic teenager, as he stumbles through life-changing experiences - from hour to hour. At just 15 years old, this unlikely protagonist left school and home and now, at the wise old age of 17, finds himself in unique, strange, exciting and perilous situations as he hitchhikes with strangers, tries out mind-altering substances, practices his understanding of Eastern philosophy, enjoys his newfound sexuality and even takes part in historical justice riots.

Not a boy anymore, Schulz discovers just how racism, sexism and homophobia are deeply embedded in a society not quite ready to change, but on the cusp of being so - and is determined to push that inclination over the edge - no matter how dangerous an undertaking, and no matter how unlikely he is to succeed.

A wild ride for sure - and only the first of a series by this brilliant author! Can't wait to read the rest!

[Thomas Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ronald Schulz recounts four months of his life in the summer and fall of 1969 as an often homeless, often hungry hippie-freak on the streets of Chicago and New York City, and on the highways in between as he hitchhikes back and forth trying desperately to find a higher purpose and true love.
In this memoir. Schulz writes vivid and emotional descriptions of the sounds and scents of protest. The opening scene is dramatic, intense, and frightening. Yet while all this is happening, he humanizes the conflict by weaving in revelations of personal thoughts and decisions that add meaning to the choices he made.
I was reminded of Holden Caufield in A Catcher in the Rye. Schulz takes the reader on a journey through the counterculture and does so through a teenager’s (himself) perspective. In this journey, Schulz throws himself into adventure and love with abandon. Just as he adjusts to his new circumstances, he is thrown into a new scene and with a new young woman in which he believes is going to be wonderful and special until they are not. But by then he has found a new direction to go in and a new lover to do it with.
I felt transported to the streets of 60s Chicago and found it fascinating. The characters described are also fascinating and raw and shown through the lens of drugs.

Yes, Shultz offers a window into a raw and open life many of us of that age did not experience. He presents his views and perspectives that drove his need to protest, but while comparing it back to his family of origin.
He shared the confusion he experienced while sorting out his political beliefs and philosophy of life.
I read this book quickly and the scenes still play on inside my head.

[Ronald J Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author of this true story of my seventeen-year-old hippie radical self on the road and in the streets in 1969, I'm biased in favor. Unfortunately, because my publisher left off my middle initial, J, Goodreads insists we are two different creatures and I had to create a new profile for my new book. Maybe I can make a new one for each published work. I hope not, I have enough to keep me busy.

[Janvi Santwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Chicago Rage," Ronald Schulz paints a vivid picture of a tumultuous era in US history through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Ron. Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Ron navigates the underground culture of Chicago and the streets of New York, facing trials that resonate even today. Schulz masterfully captures the essence of the Counterculture movement and the raw emotions of riots and inter-racial romance.

Ronald Schulz brings authenticity to "Chicago Rage" with his firsthand experiences during this transformative period in American history. As a participant in the emerging Counterculture, Schulz provides readers with a unique perspective, drawing from his own journey of self-discovery and activism.

Overall "Chicago Rage" is a compelling memoir that resonates with readers, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of a generation grappling with social upheaval. Schulz's narrative is both gripping and poignant, leaving a lasting impression and a reminder of the power of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

[Sarah Nachin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look back at a time that most of us Baby Boomers remember. The fact that it's based on the author's real life experiences makes it even better. If you saw the movie "The Trial of the Chicago 7" you'll definitely enjoy this book. It was filled with humor, pithy observances and just the right about of sex to make it an enjoyable and nostalgic read.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A verywell-written memoir of a young man, raised in the suburbs, who is initially attracted to the counter-culture movement in an attempt to force an end to the War in VietNam and to live an idealistic communal lifestyle.This is a totally honest and well-written account of how he tries to stay true to his values while dealing with homelessness, budding sexuality in the the age of “Free Love,” the widespread psychedelic drug culture of the time, and trying to just find a sense of belonging and fulfillment as he travels the United States. Most of the characters are well-developed, although I think there are a few too many that aren’t really necessary and take away from the main story of a man’s coming of age in the 60s/70s and the people who truly mattered to him. I could not put the book down and finished it the next day. Luckily, I am retired or I would have taken a sick day. Highly recommend.

Full disclosure: I am a Chicago girl who also grew up in this time period, but now live in CT.

[Gary Sosniecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I went to high school in suburban Chicago with “Chicago Rage” author Ronald Schulz. Ron was a year behind me, and we didn’t know each other. We look similar in our yearbook photos, we both explored Fischer’s Woods with childhood friends, but, as I learned from his book, we were very different philosophically. I was active in Teen-Age Republicans, wrote for the school and local newspapers, and was determined to go to college to study journalism. Ron dropped out at 17, became a Buddhist, and hoped to form his own hippie commune. Ron wanted to “fight back against the Establishment,” protest the Vietnam War, fight racism and all the other ills he saw in 1960s society. We led different lives but became acquainted recently on Facebook as authors with roots in the same high school. Ron’s memoir, “Chicago Rage,” isn’t as much about the “Weatherman Rage” — the Chicago riots of October 1969 — as it is about the experiences of an idealistic 17-year-old kid wandering around Chicago, New York City and points in between, often homeless, hungry, and quick to fall in love with various young women on similar idealistic journeys. Ron is an excellent writer, and that’s what kept me coming back each night to read a few more chapters. I wanted to know what his next adventure would be. Would he find a “crib” for the night? What would he eat? Would Sherry, or Bonnie, or Karen still be with him the next day? My only complaint is that Ron recounts full conversations from more than a half-century ago. His memory would have to be better than mine for those conversations to be accurate, but the extensive dialogue does make it a better read.