"For the Hell of It....and Souvenirs " follows a group of young Marines whose friendships grow through training to the battlefront and beyond. As the pains of war for them include a first love strained by separation, a spouse's letter that shatters a soldier's world, and frequent brushes with death, this group of friends must rely on each other to get through the physical and emotional ravages of war. John Maltese, Jr., transcribed this previously unpublished work written by his late father, John T. Maltese, a former Marine who served in World War II. "For the Hell of It....and Souvenirs " brings to life a time of great change from the eyes of a close group of friends - their emotional bond will leave you yearning for more. John T. Maltese (1924-1995) wrote this novel in the late 1950s while teaching Journalism in Steubenville, Ohio. The manuscript sat in the attic of his home for more than 40 years. This book is now published in his honor as a legacy for his family and friends.