Buy used
£40.00
£2.80 delivery 21 September - 10 October. Details
Used: Good | Details
Condition: Used: Good
Dispatches from
Pooka Comics
Dispatches from
Pooka Comics
Sold by
Pooka Comics
Sold by
Pooka Comics
Condition
Used - Good
Condition
Used - Good
Returns
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Item can be returned in original condition for a full refund within 30 days of receipt unless seller’s return policy specifies more favourable return conditions. For seller’s return policy click on seller's name located in the "Sold by" section.
Read full Amazon return policy
Returns
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Item can be returned in original condition for a full refund within 30 days of receipt unless seller’s return policy specifies more favourable return conditions. For seller’s return policy click on seller's name located in the "Sold by" section.
Read full Amazon return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Harry Harrison
Follow
Kelvin Gosnell
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Stainless Steel Rat (Stainless Steel Rat Stainless Steel Rat) Paperback – 12 Aug. 2013

by Harry Harrison (Author), Kelvin Gosnell (Author), Carlos Ezquerra (Illustrator)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,168 ratings
See all formats and editions

GENTLEMEN THIEF-SCIENCE-FICTION HERO!

Slippery Jim, aka The Stainless Steel Rat, may be the greatest con-man of all time. He's charming and quick-witted, a master thief and adventurer. Yet the road to infamy doesn't always run smooth and Jim diGriz finds himself forced into serving the Special Corps elite law enforcement agency and confronting the beautiful but deadly Angelina - his future wife! Things get even stranger for the Rat when he has to travel through time to stop a master criminal meddling with the past... and then help overthrow an evil President by running for the job himself!

Now read Harry Harrison's science-fiction classic, collected together as a graphic novel for the very first time and featuring the stunning artwork of Carlos Ezquerra. Harry Harrison is the author of the Stainless Steel Rat and Bill the Galactic Hero novels, and the book which inspired the science fiction movie Soylent Green.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 8
    The Stainless Steel Rat
  2. Print length
    208 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    2000 AD Graphic Novels
  5. Publication date
    12 Aug. 2013
  6. Dimensions
    18.7 x 1.5 x 25.9 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    1906735514
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1906735517
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product description

About the Author

Harry Harrison is the much-loved author of the Stainless Steel Rat and Bill the Galactic Hero novels. He was also a highly respected science-fiction critic and anthologist. Harry penned the story that inspired the classic SF film Soylent Green.

Kelvin Gosnell served as 2000 AD’s second editor, from Progs 17 to 85 (18th June 1977 – 7th October 1978). He also wrote Blackhawk, Dan Dare, A Joe Black Adventure, Judge Dredd, One-Offs, Project Overkill, Ro-Jaws’ Robo-Tales, The Stainless Steel Rat and Tharg’s Future Shocks, as well as co-writing the first series of Flesh.

Carlos Ezquerra was the co-creator of Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Rat Pack, Major Eazy and many other fan-favourite characters, he designed the classic original Dredd costume as well as visually conceptualising Mega-City One. In addition to these credits he also illustrated A.B.C. Warriors, Judge Anderson, Tharg the Mighty, and Cursed Earth Koburn amongst many other stories. Outside of the ‘Galaxy’s Greatest Comic’, Ezquerra illustrated the first Third World War episodes in Crisis magazine, and became a regular collaborator with Garth Ennis, working on Adventures in the Rifle Brigade, Bloody Mary, Just a Pilgrim, Condors, The Magnificent Kevin and two special Preacher episodes. He died in 2018 but his profound influence on the world of comic art cannot be overstated.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 2000 AD Graphic Novels (12 Aug. 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1906735514
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1906735517
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.7 x 1.5 x 25.9 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,168 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Harry Harrison

    Harry Harrison

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Harry Max Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey; March 12, 1925 – August 15, 2012) was an American science fiction (SF) author, best known for his character the Stainless Steel Rat and for his novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966). The latter was the rough basis for the motion picture Soylent Green (1973). Harrison was (with Brian Aldiss) the co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.

    Aldiss called him "a constant peer and great family friend". His friend Michael Carroll said, "Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean or Raiders of the Lost Ark, and picture them as science-fiction novels. They're rip-roaring adventures, but they're stories with a lot of heart."

    Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Szymon Sokół (Picture taken at Worldcon 2005) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Kelvin Gosnell

    Kelvin Gosnell

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,168 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fun and easy to read. They say it never gets old and holds up well today. Readers also describe the plot as fun, adventurous, and intriguing. They appreciate the fast pace and great character development.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityAgePlotPaceCharacter developmentVisual quality
30 customers mention ‘Readability’30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun, easy to read, and enjoyable. They say it's well-written and an enjoyable trip down memory lane.

"...Bit like a James Bond, but with a criminal bent. Well worth a read even though it is of its time and lots of references pay homage to the time in..." Read more

"...a little old, but reading this harkens back to a more innocent, fun-loving time which stands at odds against all the darkness, negativity and angst..." Read more

"...No issues with formatting or layout, a smart reworking of the words into Kindle." Read more

"...they are fun to read and remembering it was first published in 1961 and should be read as classic not contemporary sci-fi should put you in the..." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Age’6 positive0 negative

Customers say the book never gets old and holds up quite well today. They appreciate the quick wit and ability to survive in difficult situations.

"...Cap that with his quick wit and ability to survive in difficult situations, and you have a memorable character...." Read more

"...Harrisons work holds up quite well. Probably more 3 1/2 than a 4 good easy read through." Read more

"...Unlike some from that time it even holds up quite well today and should appeal not only to oldies like me who first read the series in the 1960's..." Read more

"Outstanding yarn, simple and ageless. Easy reading and from a time when we didn't require too much tech and yet another film spin off." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Plot’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the plot fun, adventurous, and enjoyable. They say the storyline is complex and intriguing. Readers also mention the book is fast-moving and has a fair deal of action.

"...It's fast moving, with a solid plot line that doesn't get in the way of the business of being cool...." Read more

"...Published in 1957, it is very much of its time. The plot is fun, adventurous and enjoyable...." Read more

"...But well written and couched into the narrative.Have already bought the next in the series and can see it becoming habit forming...." Read more

"...Original ideas, satirical take on society and a fair deal of action also...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Pace’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book simple, fast-paced, and short. They also say the action starts straight away and the plot is solid.

"...who he is, but unlike other stories this is brief and the action starts straight away and we are quickly introduced to Jim and the gadgets he uses..." Read more

"...This is a short read, great fun and with a streak of humour often missed today and has aged well with a few out of date references...." Read more

"...It's fast moving, with a solid plot line that doesn't get in the way of the business of being cool...." Read more

"Just what I needed. A simple book with a fast pace. Really enjoyed it." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters great and the leading man has depth.

"...Its nice to follow the lead character on his journey through to the end...." Read more

"...A great leading man, or should i say 'anti hero' , with a depth of character sorely lacking in many today...." Read more

"Entertaining character...." Read more

"Great art, great characters, 2000AD at its early best..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Visual quality’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's visual quality excellent, brilliant, and sublime.

"...was written it still has humour that lasts and the visualisation the Harry gives you is sublime...." Read more

"Harry Harrisons excellent creation in graphic form" Read more

"...Ezquerra artwork exceptional, some of the centre spreads very memorable" Read more

"Brillent" Read more

very enjoyable stories from the 2000ad vaults
5 out of 5 stars
very enjoyable stories from the 2000ad vaults
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry, we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Droid
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Sci-Fi with a twist
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2013
Verified Purchase
Bought this book in 1978 and have been reading it off and on since then. I still have it, even though it is now falling apart hence the reason I now have a Kindle Paperwhite to read it on which does not :-) . Its a sci-fi version of "It Takes a Thief to Catch a Thief" and the main character Slippery Jim D'Griz is a criminal of the future, needing to be a Stainless Steel Rat in order to hide in the concrete cracks of society.

As with any new book in a series, time is spent developing the character in order to find out who he is, but unlike other stories this is brief and the action starts straight away and we are quickly introduced to Jim and the gadgets he uses to ply his trade.

A good read with humour, passion, gadgets and sci-fi. Bit like a James Bond, but with a criminal bent. Well worth a read even though it is of its time and lots of references pay homage to the time in which it was created. A great start to the series which I also own and have also replaced with Kindle versions.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Slow Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Great fun
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 February 2013
Verified Purchase
Arguably Harrison's most popular series, The Stainless Steel Rat introduces us to "Slippery" Jim diGriz, a thief and con man living a life of crime in an otherwise relatively crime-free future that spans many planets and systems, bound by The League of Planets. The title stems from the fact that in this future, brick and mortar has been replaced by the sheen of stainless steel, and Slippery Jim represents the rat that those in charge want to eradicate - one of stainless steel itself. After one con too many, he gets captured by the Special Corps and summarily taken into their employ and sent on a dangerous mission. However, not everything goes to plan...

Yes, it's a little old, but reading this harkens back to a more innocent, fun-loving time which stands at odds against all the darkness, negativity and angst of contemporary SF. It also contains an almost childlike sense of morality in its simplicity - diGriz refuses to kill, and makes sure there are no victims to his crimes. Cap that with his quick wit and ability to survive in difficult situations, and you have a memorable character.

This is a short read, great fun and with a streak of humour often missed today and has aged well with a few out of date references. The SF Gateway edition contains a couple of errors such as the odd missing full stop or misspelling. FYI, check out the bundled collection of the first 6 books in the series, instead of buying this one then buying the rest individually, like I did.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ewan S
5.0 out of 5 stars It never grows old
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2012
Verified Purchase
Look, it's The Stainless Steel Rat and Slippery Jim. If you;ve ever picked up pulp sci-fi and haven't got round to this yet, then do yourself a favour and get reading. It's fast moving, with a solid plot line that doesn't get in the way of the business of being cool.

I do want to say thank you to Golancz for digging out these older classics and making them easy to find them on Kindle, much appreciated. No issues with formatting or layout, a smart reworking of the words into Kindle.
Helpful
 Report
Andrew Carr
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 February 2013
Verified Purchase
I just love these Books and this one was the first one I read, that was over 40 years ago and made me an instant Harry Harrison fan, at the time he was described as the "Monty Python of the space ways" since then i have pretty much read everything he's written and loved most of it.

The 1st 4 stainless steel rat books are by far the best of the series and this one is my favourite. they are fun to read and remembering it was first published in 1961 and should be read as classic not contemporary sci-fi should put you in the correct frame of mind to enjoy them.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
BH
3.0 out of 5 stars A fun romp
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2022
Verified Purchase
A fun sci fi romp. A little dated now and the heists weren't overly original or exciting but I like that the Rat took some lumps and came through through perseverance and grit. He had an engaging voice. At the price this was well worth it on kindle and I would be up for reading more of the series.
Helpful
 Report
Steven
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Carlos Ezquerra art
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2021
Verified Purchase
Modern re-release of the comic adaption of Harry Harrison's The Stainless Steel Rat. The story is totally of the time it was written in but in a way that adds to the charm. Its nice to follow the lead character on his journey through to the end. Paperback is the ideal format for this as I think hardback would be too heavy to comfortably read.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Pezzini
4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly Stainless fiction
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2021
Verified Purchase
I've known about The Stainless Steel Rat series for many years, so under recommendations, I decided to read it.

This book is like a boys own adventure with tech and space. Published in 1957, it is very much of its time. The plot is fun, adventurous and enjoyable. With plenty of pipes at odd angles, the maze for the rat to run down. If it defiiately wortnh reading anf and I would recommend reading to one. However, for the modern reader you do have to not think too deeply about some to the sexist commentary, as I said, its of it's time.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mr. M. D. Reid
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book, will take you on a journey through space!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a great book and the rest of the series is fantastic. Considering when this was written it still has humour that lasts and the visualisation the Harry gives you is sublime. I met him at a convention once and although I thought he was stand offish! and a little rude, his books are still brilliant. Buy it, read it, love it...lend it to someone else so they can join in too!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

stacy milne
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a read
Reviewed in Canada on 14 November 2020
Verified Purchase
It's a great series of books. A bit sexist, not going to lie.

I read them all as a kid, and re-reading them as an adult, they still hold up in a uniquely charming way
Report
Jon Tocker
3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I expected...
Reviewed in Australia on 10 February 2024
Verified Purchase
Turns out that this is the short story that was published in *Astounding* magazine in 1957, not the full-length novel that was based on it - it would have been nice if the description of the item made this clear.
The short story is great, but it's not what I was expecting when I purchased it.
Edit: seems the description has been edited since I purchased it, to clarify that it's the short story. GOOD!
Have looked for the full-length novel but it seems not to be available on the NZ market... because apparently the world will collapse if they let people in New Zealand have access to certain fiction books - or something like that.
Report
GadgetGuy
5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Treasure, Not to Be Missed
Reviewed in the United States on 15 August 2012
Verified Purchase
I just read the news today that Harry Harrison just passed away at the age of 87, which means it's a very sad day indeed for the science fiction community. I've been waiting for many years for the original three Stainless Steel Rat books to be released in e-book format (I had one of the original Sony Readers), so after reading today's news, I was reminded to look once again. Lo and behold, here they are! The Stainless Steel Rat, The Stainless Steel Rat's Revenge, and The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World, all finally available in electronic form!

I have very fond memories of reading (and re-reading) these wonderfully entertaining books when I was quite young, delighted by their smart-alecky, irreverent narrative style that Mr. Harrison never quite duplicated as sharply in the other Stainless Steel Rat stories written years later. Remarkably, I'm finding they can still make me laugh out loud. Many of the supporting characters are two dimensional, cartoon-character-like dullards (it's always been clear that Mr. Harrison had little regard for the military, for example) that make these such great escapist entertainment. Also, the notion of a bad guy with a high sense of morality about never hurting his "victims" too seriously made "Slippery Jim diGriz" an interesting anti-hero who was always in complete command of his environment, and yet vulnerable to the bad guys because of these high morals.

I can honestly say that few books have ever entertained me the way these have, and I would warmly recommend them to anyone with a sense of humor, as well as what we used to think of as a sense of adventure.

Although the world has lost a very talented author, it's somehow fitting that these books are finally being made available for all to rediscover and enjoy. They are not to be missed!
34 people found this helpful
 Report
Jim
5.0 out of 5 stars Rollicking Good Read
Reviewed in Canada on 26 June 2020
Verified Purchase
I have read a couple of other books by Harry Harrison and they are all great entertainment. A great read for the beach or any other place for that matter!
Report
Terence Greeks
4.0 out of 5 stars This book really is the bowb...
Reviewed in the United States on 29 October 2012
Verified Purchase
Of all of Harry Harrison's works, the Stainless Steel Rat series is for my money the most enjoyable. A sly mixture of SF and humor employing equal quantities of satire and parody, with a memorable character at the heart of the stories.

James Bolivar 'Slippery Jim' diGriz is a gleefully anarchic hero with a strong moral center. 'The Stainless Steel Rat' is the story of how this highly individualistic career criminal of the future is recruited into the Special Corps to track down other, more malevolent law-breakers.

This book was one of the shining gems of my teen reading years. The sequels were even better.

It is a "lock-'em-in-the-hole-and-torture-'em-with-'The-Sound-Of-Music'-24/7" crime that the Stainless Steel Rat has not yet reached the big screen.

As for this Kindle edition. 4 out of 5 stars, thanks to a few niggling transcription errors that should have been picked up by the proof-readers.
21 people found this helpful
 Report