First Blood

By: David Morrell

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

"HIS NAME WAS RAMBO AND HE WAS JUST SOME NOTHING KID FOR ALL ANYBODY KNEW."

The award-winning novel that inspired the legendary film series starring Sylvester Stallone.

First came the man: a young wanderer in a fatigue coat and long hair. Then came the legend, as John Rambo sprang from the pages of FIRST BLOOD to take his place in the American cultural landscape. This remarkable novel pits a young Vietnam veteran against a small-town cop who doesn't know whom he's dealing with - or how far Rambo will take him into a life-and-death struggle through the woods, hills, and caves of rural Kentucky.

Millions have seen the Rambo movies, but those who haven't read the book are in for a surprise - a critically acclaimed story of character, action, and compassion.

©2000 David Morell (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Rambo!

First a warning that the author's forward gives away the plot. If you object to a major spoiler skip the forward.

FIRST BLOOD introduces Rambo and is the basis of the movie with the same title that made John Rambo a cultural icon. This novel, released in 1972, was David Morrell's first novel and is likely his best. Morrell is still releasing novels at age 77. Of course there were two other Rambo movies which were followed by two other Morrell novels based on the movies.

First Blood is an outstanding action and suspense novel that I highly recommend. Eric G. Dove is the perfect narrator for First Blood.

What a great book!

So I have seen the movie First Blood dozens of times. I listened to the audio book because a friend and I watched First Blood yesterday. On a long trip today I started listening to the book. Knowing that it was very different than the movie now I wish they would make another movie of the book and keep it true to the story. What a dark and sad story. Being a Veteran myself I can identify with both Rambo and Teasel. The story is troubling but is still very current. I loved it.

Spoiler by the author.

I just started listening to this book this morning. The author included a forward that gives away the end. I am, however, enjoying the book. I think I would have opted to put that at the end. Just a warning to future purchasers.

Beware

This audio book is great. However, the first chapter is an introduction by the author. during that introduction he gives away the ending of the book and discusses the books differences from the movie. avoid that chapter

Sobering Story

Sad to think about the way society treated veterans during that era. Really makes you think. Very well written and performed.

Pretty Good Book, Finished quickly

Pretty Good Book, I finished it quickly.

I also bought a second book (not the same series) by this author immediately after finishing this one.

They shouldn't have messed with Rambo!!!

Where does First Blood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think I would have to say in my top 25.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I wouldn't go so far as to say the edge of my seat good, but it was enjoyable. This Rambo was one bad mother (shut your mouth) type of guy that was just pushed too far. And he showed the sheriff that he was the wrong drifter to go and mess with.

What does Eric G. Dove bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Like what i say every time, that when you have a good narrator it brings the characters to life and Mr. Dove did a good job on his part.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The movie tag line that was used in 1982 works just fine in my opinion "This time he's fighting for his life."

Any additional comments?

It's pretty much the same as the movie, except that he kills a butt load of guys in this book than what he did in the first Rambo movie. I still enjoyed listening to the book and I'm a fan of the movie too.

Not everything I expected, but exciting

I heard this novel does a good job of telling the story from two different perspectives and I enjoy stories that show events from more than one perspective. I was disappointed that it didn't do a good job of showing the events from both perspectives (in my opinion at least) but I enjoyed this book because of the excitement. I usually only read and listen to nonfiction but this is such an action packed story I enjoyed it.

One criticism/warning is that the authors comments before the story give away the ending so if you don't want a spoiler skip the author comments until you've complete the rest of the book. On the positive side the narrator was incredible.

The book is very similar to the early 80's Rambo movie at the beginning but as the story progresses the movie took a different course so you won't know what comes next if you've already seen the movie.

This, is Legit

Better than the movie, WAY better! The narrator is spot on too. Great Book. Check it out.

So good

Easily in my top 5 books I’ve listened to on here. So gripping. A real thriller.

More a warning than a review...

Right at the beginning of the First Blood audio book is a preface from the author himself DO NOT LISTEN TO IT !! For some stupid unknown reason he decides to tell you what happens at the end of the book ! This really spoilt it for me and I would've enjoyed it far more NOT knowing the ending before it began.

Warning!

at the beginning of this title the author speaks about how the book came about. unfortunately he also tells you how the book ends therefore ruining any surprise!

why are you pushing me

Unfortunately the intro tells us the books finish, so I suggest you bypass this if the story is new to you. Still it's a good story

Quite simply put, its a modern classic

Would you listen to First Blood again? Why?

This story is a compelling one, its one i have visited many times in the past and thoroughly enjoy it every time

What did you like best about this story?

the detail, the way we see the perspective from the protagonists view, how we get the sense that he main chanything and think nothing of it.arcter would do

Which scene did you most enjoy?

the scene wher Rambo interacts with the Hunter and his son, it was a surreal moment for JR

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Its already a film

Any additional comments?

well worth a listen or read

brilliant

great story from start to finish and well narrated. 5/5 would highly recommend first blood

worth it... much more in depth character study .

a reflection of the Vietnam era and society attitudes to it..
well read..
much better than the film...

Don't push me...

Really enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed First Blood, David Morrell's story at the beginning is very inspiring, EricG.Dove did a great job with the narration:)

Brilliant book!

So much better than the movie! More detailed an a better more realistic story. A must read.

fantastic read.

firstblood is one of my favourite films and now one of my favourite books. I must admit the book story line is better than the film. I'm not really a fan of remakes with films but I would love to see firstblood remade but more to the book story line.
So stallone if you read this get in your directors seat and remake this so you can make the rambo trilogy reborn again.

Nice in site on a classic

It's nice to get the full pic of how David Morrell wanted rambo to come across and how he became
Skip chapter 1 and play it at the end