This was another book I read as a kid and had fond memories of. When I found it at Powell's books for under $4 I just had to pick it up. Harrison seems to focus on "pulp science fiction" -- all of the stuff I have seen from him has been short and easy reading, as is the case with this book. What do you do if you're stuck on a farming planet, smart, and bored out of your brain? Apparently the answer is to turn to a life of crime for entertainment. That's what James DeGriz does, and he is a great anti-hero while he's at it. Great book.

http://www.stillhq.com/book/Harry_Har... ( )

See The Stainless Steel Rat. ( )

The origin of the Stainless Steel Rat. Back in the day, a young Jim was not so clever, not so talented, and just a little on the naive side. He decides that to learn to be a super criminal, going to jail is a good idea, to pick up a few skills.

Errr, no. However, it sort of all turns out ok for him, it seems.

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2007/0... ( )

This book explains to the reader how James diGriz became a stainless steel rat. The story and plot twists are interesting and full of Harrison's odd sense of humor. This is definitely light reading, but definitely an entertaining story. 4/5 ( )