Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew up… as pivotal member of a special forces group for the United States Army. John was in the thick of the action in Vietnam, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor.
Living… searching for the last remaining member of his group, who is dying from cancer as a result of being exposed to Agent Orange in the course of the war. After hearing of his death, Rambo goes to Hope, Washington, where he runs into some trouble with the law.
Profession… killing machine. After being harassed by Hope's local sheriff, he has a flashback to when he was back in Vietnam as captive P.O.W. Naturally, he flips out and escapes. They've messed with the wrong guy.
Interests… staying alive at all costs. As he escapes he's hunted by a police helicopter, and shot at. In an effort to defend himself, he throws a rock at the helicopter, leading to some fatalities. Afterwards, he's officially on the run. Can he use all his training to evade capture, and perhaps bring some justice to Hope?
Relationship Status… brother in arms to his other comrades. Now, he's on the run from the police, but as a survivalist he's unmatched; this man can run circles around law enforcement. In fact, he tells the sheriff of Hope: "I could have killed 'em all, I could've killed you. In town you're the law, out here it's me. Don't push it! Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe. Let it go. Let it go!"
Challenge… trying to stay alive, and come out as the same hero he was remembered as. With police looking to take him out as a matter of vengeance, he'll have to use every amount of training and combat experience to survive.
Personality… decisive, equipped, ruthless, and more than a little traumatized by battle.
Get to Know him in...
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When former Green Beret John Rambo is harassed by local law enforcement and arrested for vagrancy, the Vietnam vet snaps, runs for the hills and rat-a-tat-tats his way into the action-movie hall of fame. Hounded by a relentless sheriff, Rambo employs heavy-handed guerilla tactics to shake the cops off his tail.
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When governments fail to act on behalf of captive missionaries, ex-Green Beret John James Rambo sets aside his peaceful existence along the Salween River in a war-torn region of Thailand to take action. Although he's still haunted by violent memories of his time as a U.S. soldier during the Vietnam War, Rambo can hardly turn his back on the aid workers who so desperately need his help.
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Combat has taken its toll on Rambo, but he's finally begun to find inner peace in a monastery. When Rambo's friend and mentor Col. Trautman asks for his help on a top secret mission to Afghanistan, Rambo declines but must reconsider when Trautman is captured.
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Col. Troutman recruits ex-Green Beret John Rambo for a highly secret and dangerous mission. Teamed with freedom fighter Co Bao, Rambo goes deep into Vietnam to rescue POWs. Deserted by his own team, he's left in a hostile jungle to fight for his life, avenge the death of a woman and bring corrupt officials to justice.
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From New York Times bestselling author, David Morrell, comes a classic thriller that introduced the character of Rambo, one of the most iconic action heroes of the twentieth century. Called “the father of the modern action novel,” FIRST BLOOD changed the genre. Although the book and the film adaptation have similarities, they are very different, especially its unexpected ending and its greater intensity. If you’ve only experienced the film, you’re in for a surprise. Once they were soldiers. Rambo, the ragged kid whose presence in town is considered a threat. And Teasle, the Chief of Police of Madison, Kentucky. Both have been trained to kill: Rambo in Vietnam, Teasle in Korea. They learned different military tactics, different ways of death and survival in two different wars. Now, without warning, they are enemies in a civilian combat that becomes a chase through the woods and mountains and caves above the town. As we follow them, we understand that once a man has been trained as a killer, perhaps he is changed forever. Award-winning FIRST BLOOD was published in 1972, was translated into 26 languages, and has never been out of print. It was one of the first novels to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. David’s novelizations for RAMBO (FIRST BLOOD PART II) and RAMBO III are available as e-books. They’re quite different from the films and include revealing introductions. See also David’s RAMBO AND ME: THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY. Critical reactions: “A fine novel. . . . When Johnny comes marching home this time, watch out.” —The New York Times Sunday Book Review “A first-rate thriller.” —Newsweek “One of the finest chase novels you will ever read.” —Minneapolis Tribune “A terrific thriller.” —Saturday Review “One hell of a hard, fast novel.” —John D. MacDonald
