Rambo III

By: David Morrell

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

The most dangerous man in the world is back.

David Morrell's First Blood introduced Rambo, who joined the ranks of Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan, James Bond, and Harry Potter as an international thriller icon. In this further adventure, Rambo is in exile far from home in Thailand, vowing to renounce violence and war. When his country calls him once again, he refuses to accept. But then he learns that his former commanding officer, Colonel Trautman, the only man he trusts, has been captured by the Soviets on the Afghan border during a mission that Rambo rejected. For Rambo, it's a call to arms - and a mission back into hell. This novelization and the film have many differences. Listen to the story that the film could have had.

"David Morrell is, to me, the finest thriller writer living today, bar none."
--Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Columbus Affair

"Morrell, an absolute master of the thriller, plays by his own rules and leaves you dazzled."
--Dean Koontz, New York Times bestselling author of 77 Shadow Street

"The father of the modern action novel."
--Vince Flynn, New York Times bestselling author of Kill Shot

©1988 David Morrell (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Rambo vs. the Russians - What's Not to Like?

The insight of how a novelization was necessary before on-demand is epic for Rambo III. I really enjoyed hearing the author's note from Morrell and his own personal tragedy spurred him on to finish the book. It's very different from the movie and nice to take in if you are like me - a John Rambo fan.

The only thing about the reading is you don't get to hear the hauntingly sad First Blood soundtrack. I really enjoyed it

Rescue Troutman!

The story begins with a tortured Rambo punishing himself for what he was. A warrior, a killer, was there a difference? The death of Coe from book two still haunted him. He still wore the leather string with the small Budda attached around his neck. To make a living, he found himself in a Thai gambling house where combatants fought for prize money. Rambo was there to punish himself. Allowing himself to be brutally beaten. Rambo recognized Troutman in the crowd. Rambo knew what he wanted. Rambo refused. Troutman’s mission was to train rebels in Pakistan to fight in Afghanistan. Troutman was captured. Rambo was compelled to rescue his Colonel, his quasi-father, the only man he trusted. Via a U.S. Intelligence Officer, he went to Pakistan, then Afghanistan to find Troutman. One man against a manned fortress. The story is quite intense and exciting.

Excellent

Excellent as always! I’ll never tire of the fantastic story telling David has perfected! One more excellent novel finished as I read towards my goal of finishing all of his books! Thank you!

Great performance by the narrator and great story

What made the experience of listening to Rambo III the most enjoyable?

Rambo sounds just like he does in the movie, which I saw before I purchased and listened to the book. If you liked the film, you'll love this book as well. The only disappointment for me was the ending, otherwise a great and enjoyable listen.

What other book might you compare Rambo III to and why?

The other RAMBO books, apart from the first one, which was written in parts that distracted from the enjoyment of the first in the series.

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

Mostly the realistic voices which Eric Dove did his best to make sound just like in the movies of the books which I saw first before listening to the books.

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

An action packed story with a fantastic actor - Sylvestor Stallone who in my opinion, was absolutely perfect for the part.

Any additional comments?

If you liked the film(s), you'll love the books. Highly recommended.

Good fun

Just like the other Rambo books the author adds very nice character to Rambo and fills out what is missing in the movies

Fun book!

Another great audiobook. I think the novel adds great detail about Rambo as a character that makes him a very likable hero. I never thought I'll be a Rambo fan after all these years, who knew?

Okay, the movie (which I haven't seen) came out weeks after this novel but "behind the scenes" in the introduction of this audiobook provides a glimpse of how David Morrell repeatedly starts over as often as the movie script changes. Quite fascinating how novelization works from screenplay to novel.

First Blood III takes place in Afghanistan. Rambo is already "retired" when his old commander Trautman asks him to accompany him on a trip, but he declined. Trautman was captured by the Soviets. Rambo attempts to rescue Trautman with the help of local Afghans.

So the story isn't all that original but it's entertaining! Narrated by: Eric G. Dove ~ 6hr 🎧💓

Can't lose with any Rambo adventure

David Morrell delivered the goods again. Can't wait to enjoy his other books. David's other series have great reviews also.

A Partial Improvement

This title was another novelization that came out after the film had, and the author made some changes that were subjectively improvements but more realistic at any rate. Still, I appreciated how the cinematic Rambo relied on his skills to infiltrate the Soviet base rather than insider knowledge. To his credit, David Morrell did well in developing the Russian and Afghan characters and had done considerable research on all subjects from archery to religion to military science. The literary Rambo makes an obvious allusion to the point that the filmmakers were trying to make, that is, if you want peace, you must prepare yourself for war. Buddhism is a pacifist religion that experienced pressure in Communist-controlled Vietnam and strong persecution in Taliban-held Afghanistan, so he says "What I want is peace." In the first book, Morrell used the metaphor of fishing to describe the protagonist-antagonist conflict as the surname Trautman confirms, but this book uses the metaphor of hunting and how the hunter can become the hunted. Lastly, the narrator does an astonishing job with the Afghan accent that validated the "accented" dialogue, and he and sounds as though he were struggling to carry a stretcher.

Typical Rambo 😊

In line with the first two – if you like Rambo you will like this story.

Rambo 3 was great

amazing, great book. love Rambo very entertaining .. on the edge of your seat. loved it