First Blood

By: David Morrell

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

First came the man: a young wanderer in a fatigue coat and long hair. Then came the legend as the character, John Rambo, took his place in the American imagination. This remarkable and critically acclaimed novel pits a young Vietnam veteran against a small-town cop who doesn't know what he will unleash after their first ill-fated encounter - a life-and-death struggle through the woods, hills, and caves of rural Kentucky.

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

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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Sobering Story

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

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This, is Legit

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book. More complex than the Movie.

The characters and motivations are much more complex than the movie.

Rambo and Teasle represent a generational gap, and how the attitudes at the end of the Vietnam War were very different than previous wars.

I would have loved to see this translated faithfully to film.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

loved book

finally a hard ass Rambo instead of the wimpy one in the movies. A must read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Extra gritty original version of the Rambo story

Go into this expecting it to be different from the movie. Fuller story. More violent. And above all more fully defined characters. I loved the first three quarters of this book. Lots of action. Lots of character development. Rambo and Teasle are both the hero and both the villain depending on the reader's perspective at any given moment. Rambo caused many of his own problems and had no problem killing anyone who got on his way. Teasle was an arrogant sheriff who abused his authority but genuinely wanted to protect his community and take care of his men.

The last several chapters went on and on for no good reason. How long does it take somebody to die?

Overall the narrator was satisfactory. He was easy to understand and expressed the emotion of the characters without overreacting. My one criticism is that his voices for Rambo and Teasle are too similar.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Better than the movie (but only by a little)

If you could sum up First Blood in three words, what would they be?

Wrong first impression! I guess if you know the story that may be obvious but it is the best 3 words to sum up the story.

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

First Blood did keep me interested throughout the story. It is a bit different than the movie which was fine by me but that is not the reason for my interest. This is a good story by a good narrator. Well worth the credit.

What about Eric G. Dove’s performance did you like?

My first listen to Eric G Dove. He was very good.

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

They did make this into a film and it was a good one.

Any additional comments?

I was glad that I had not scene the movie in a while when I read this book. I like the book a bit better than the movie.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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

better than the movie

fantastic, thriller from start to finish loved it
great narration well read.
would recommend this book

Enjoyed the film more

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was ok but there's much better books out there. It really didn't grip me too much and some of Rambo's decision making was very questionable. The film is better and you can't often say that.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Was expecting it.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

More diversity in his voices. I often got characters mixed up as they sounded the same.

Could you see First Blood being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

It has been.

Any additional comments?

In the film there's a much bigger part of Rambo being pushed into things and it being more the police's fault. It wasn't the same in the book. I think the film exploited that opportunity a lot better, even though it was the book's idea.

Feel the pain

This book is one of my favourites.

The character Rambo is beautifully crafted. He is not a myth or a fantasy, the author used to be a psychiatrist for soldiers with post Vietnam distress. The character is based on the realities of a soldier returning from war and what's going on in his mind. It also reflects society's little distinction between soldiers and drifters at that time. If you have ever been misunderstood, underestimated, stressed and bullied for no fault of your own, you will feel the pain.



Audiobooks made it interesting for me as I picked up parts I missed observing while reading.

Yes, this is the book on which the Sly superhit FIRST BLOOD is based on, only the movie doesn't end the same way the book does.

Rambo

Would you consider the audio edition of First Blood to be better than the print version?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

A better story then the film this is Rambo as he should be

Which character – as performed by Eric G. Dove – was your favourite?

The sheriff and Rambo

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cry at the ending

Any additional comments?

It kept me gripped all the way through

0 of 1 people found this review helpful