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Title: First Blood
ISBN: 0446364401
Author:
David Morrell
Publicate Date: 2000-02-01
Publish: 2000-02-01
List Price: $7.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.88
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $4.26
Amazon Merchant Price: $7.99
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Expecting More
I have read several of Morrell's books before and I must say, he is a mixed bag author. I either absolutely love his books ("Fraternity of the Stone," and "Brotherhood of the Rose", or I absolutely abhor them ("Scavenger," for one). "First Blood" is the first book I've read by Morrell that I found somewhere in the middle. I didn't despise reading it, and I enjoyed it for the most part, but it wasn't the exceptional quality I had come to expect out of Rambo (or John Rambo, to which it later evolves).
Unfortunately, I am just now reading this book, some thirty plus years after it originally debuted. I think, being a child born somewhere between Generation X and the Mellinial Generation, I was raised already knowing how incredible Rambo was and always expected high octane, high caliber, and emotionally charged stories.
I really liked Rambo, the character, at the beginning of the story. I was hoping for some more development and background on him, though. Maybe some more detailed flashbacks, more information from his superior officer, maybe... something! This story was a non stop chase throughout the Kentucky wilderness, of which I grew as fatigued in reading about Rambo and Teasle as those characters did chasing each other.
You can tell this is a first book by an author. It is hard to describe, but there just isn't the polish that I had come to appreciate of his later works (as expected) like "Brotherhood of the Rose," and "Fraternity of the Stone."
This book is highly recommended - no, required reading - for any Rambo or Morrell fans. Knowing the origin (of both) is like revisiting an old friend: Timeless.
J.Stoner
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2: Excellent study on the PTSD
"First Blood" was the excellent support of the film "Rambo". Only this film of the trilogy is worth being seen (I did not see the last one issued this year). The two others are trash.
David Morrell is a great thriller writer. In this book he depicts the impossible re-integration in the civilian wife of a special force soldier who lost his last comrade dead from the orange agent.
What a shame in the story of the USA was the hatred civilians had against soldiers coming from their tours in Vietnam ! Moreover David Morrell draws the psychologic profile of the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder many veterans from the Iraq wars are presently living (see "Will They Ever Trust Us Again?: Soldiers Write to Michael Moore").
Excellent.
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3: Roots of Rambo
I've wanted to read this book since I saw the film as a kid. I still like the film, there are bits of cheesy dialog--especially from Trautman--but overall the flick is good. The book, as most books made into movies, is different in many areas. For one, it has a much higher body count, Rambo isn't pulling punches. He still escapes from the police station on a motorcycle, but in the book you are in for a big surprise. Teasle and Rambo are much younger and their relationship is really the central focus of the story. First Blood was first published in '73, so the Vietnam vet angle takes on a much different vibe, it's much more present. The story itself moves along at a brisk clip, like a good thriller should. I'd recommend it to folks curious about where Rambo came from. Overall it is much more satisfying than the film version (I'm not talking about the sequels, which sucked). If you don't want to hit any spoilers, skip Morrell's intro until after. It gives away a key event that I would have rather not known about.
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4: What good writing was never known as....what one could never imagine.......
With the novel version of "First Blood",you have pretty much the same plot that you got out of the movie,a few exceptions--a former Green Beret of the Vietnam War named Rambo arrives in the small(fictional)town of Madison,KY,finds himself under arrest(what for?That's for you to discover:--),and,shortly thereafter,wages a one-man war. An intruigingly executed concept that you can go far with--or sink a little low with.
Fortunately,"First Blood" goes far with its concept. The pages of "First Blood" are written suspensefully and intelligently,the one-man war being brought to life and being supplemented with plausible and exhilarting action,justice,and impeccable character chemistry. Throughout "First Blood",you know what all of the characters feel,whether they are in action or not,the telling of their backgrounds richly executed and well worked into the story. The apparent knowledge that David Morell holds of both the military and Kentucky never fail to contribute to all of this,either. The military information is intact and fitting,giving "First Blood" a lot of its beauty as it not only sits in the novel,so apparent and knowledgeable,but as it becomes a part of the action. The "descriptions" of certain parts of Kentucky throughout "First Blood" are "beautiful" enough to make one feel like they are there. You can't go wrong with how far it takes the concept,either. Who would really imagine such acts as depicted in the novel to happen out in beautiful country and a small town?
There are several versions of "First Blood" available. If you want easiness and convenience in getting your copy,just buy one of the new copies--it happens to come with an introduction from David Morrell,something not included in the original printing. However,I recommend searching out the original printing and going from there---you get to discover "First Blood" in its very original context,and at the same time,you have a collector's item you are holding onto(the original printing being released in 1972 and now being out of print).
Overall,a must read novel,whether you do or don't like the "Rambo" films. It was good to see "Die Hard" making action films dominant. It was great to see "First Blood" taking the concept of action and turning it into a basic and intelligent thriller--a remarkable move for any genre. The "Rambo" films may be dismissed as just action films--but here,there is life that even non action film fans can enjoy.
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5: Way better than the Stallone movie
If you want to read a top notch thriller, get this immediately.
Had they filmed this version it would definately be in the AFI top 100 of all time. Gripping, suspensful with great characters you can't go wrong.
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