This book is easily in my top five ever read. The John Rambo in this book is nothing like the movie versions, so throw away any preconceptions before reading. It is shocking and brutal in it's hard-hitting action. A well-worn tale of immovable object meets unstoppable force, but with the twist that the characters are beautifully written with enough complexity to make the reader root for either or both main protagonists. The action is explosive and unpredictable, with so much attention to detail you can almost smell the cordite. To discuss too much about this book would be to do it a disservice as half the fun is reading it. - For a book written in 1972, it stands up just as well - if not better - than many of it's modern contemporaries and remains as fine a thriller as you could hope for. "First Blood" is a true page-turner, one of those rare books that hook you and won't let you go until you have finished it. Even if you disliked the Rambo films, you should try reading this stunning book. A modern day thriller masterpiece.

I read this book again three years ago after buying the movie on DVD. I first read it in the late eighties and enjoyed it. I watched the movie and loved it but was reminded during the extras on the DVD that the book was a much darker story than the one Sylvester stallone told when he adapted it for the screen. Incidentally I have to say that although I love the first Rambo movie I've not been impressed with the rest. Anyway, I decided to read the original novel again. Published in 1972 this book has stood the test of time. It's very well written, darkly atmospheric and features great characters. Rambo is a fantastic creation and all of the local characters are well crafted. This is a much darker tale than the movie. Rambo's rampage induced by his treatment at the hands of local law enforcement is shocking, brutal and brilliantly written. The end is famously different from the movie and I won't spoil it as I feel reviews should not give plots away to much. This is a great novel and highly recommended.