Hey, Greaseball!: Violent America: A New Folktale. (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781979231145)

Life in the United States has changed drastically over the past decades. Through his protagonist, Simon Banmeyer, author Jack O'Hare calls attention to the most troubling aspects of American culture and the lack of safety, security and stability in the lives of many American citizens.

As a teenager, Simon cannot guess what the future will hold for him. He struggles to make it through each day, dealing with the taunts and threats of violence from school bullies. The only form of escape Simon has is ROTC, but even that is taken away from him after his sophomore year. Though Simon eventually graduates and starts to make his way in the real world, the anger and frustration he felt at the hands of that one bully never leave him.

Simon falls in love and finds a career he's passionate about, but he can't help feeling troubled by the changing attitudes in America. His brother-in-law, a military veteran, is arrogant and insulting toward "civilians," claiming the country is safe only because he wore a military uniform. Simon's journey will take him full circle as he returns to his roots and finally confronts the most painful moments of his adolescence.