The New York Times–bestselling author tells the story behind the creation of his iconic character during an era of violence and polarization in America.
In an era when the Vietnam War raged and police and protestors battled in the streets, a young writer introduced Rambo—a disillusioned and angry trained killer who’d returned to America a ticking time bomb—in a novel called First Blood. The character would go on to appear in a wildly popular action film in which he led the authorities on an extraordinary manhunt, as well as in several sequels. Here, award–winning author David Morrell reveals the origins of the now world-famous figure and the influences that shaped him in this surprising and candid essay.
Previously published under the title Rambo and Me