Just reread First Blood.....with all the Rambo movie mumbo jumbo it's easy to forget just how VERY good and different the book was. I first read this about 9, because I was mad I couldn't go see movie, so I walked over to Northgate and bought a copy from Walden books. Guy didn't look twice. The irony that I was too young to see the movie which was like the Disney version, but one of the goriest brutal books was quite available without question. (then again I think I bought Naked Lunch at like 13) Much of the story was lost on me at that age as well, as I know history better now. I can say It's a genuinely compelling story, and reading it at 50+ I have to say I think "The Kid" aka Rambo is more the bad guy then the Police Chief, it's nothing like the movie no black and white heroes and villain's. But god all mighty is there a visceral detailed body count. You know how in the movie Rambo just beats them up but let's them live with a warning at first? yeah that didn't happen, starts with disembowelment and goes down hill from there.... He kills so many it is literally unknown how many officers, guard, and civilians he kills. But most of the book is more about the HUNT both as hunter and huntee in Kentucky, it gets into the dirty details of tracking a human being and being tracked by one trying to kill you. ....so damn good. if you have only ever watched the movie...please Read the book. or Listen to the audiobook. Jaw dropping stuff.