The Stainless Steel Rat

Harry Harrison

Before Bernie Rhodenbarr or Sandman Slim or other likeable bad boy antiheroes, there was James Bolivar DiGriz (or Slippery Jim or the Stainless Steel Rat or many other personas he claims and sheds). Or should I say way after since this is set in outer space future? This 1960's pulp fiction space opera is still fun and tongue in cheek.

DiGriz is happy working as a con man in a future with little crime. He loves reinventing himself and setting up new cons then slipping away before he gets caught. But he finally does get caught - and recruited (as in White Collar or It Takes a Thief). He starts off his new, unwanted career as a paper pusher and researcher. But he starts putting pieces together on the paperwork he is filing. A small planet, presumably nothing special, appears to be building a warship. There aren't many wars any more. There are no space warships. If this vessel is built, it can destroy almost anyone it wants.

DiGriz talks his way into being the active field operator to catch and stop the government agencies building the ship. Unfortunately, by the time he sees the whole picture, he's too late. Now he has to chase around the galaxy to catch the bad guys who are killing people with the warship. Perhaps he should have stayed behind the desk? Or is it time to return to his old line of work?

Harry Harrison is one of the early masters of science fiction, from the same era as Asimov, Heinlein, Bester, and Dick. The Stainless Steel Rat is a fun romp that follows a con man turned somewhat legit. Harrison could have used any background. He put his imagination to work and has Slippery Jim living in an almost utopian future. It's a great setting for our hero because there are so many places where he can hide and work. On many planets the police don't have lots to do and don't expect someone like the Stainless Steel Rat to invade their society.

As I noted before, this is definitely pulp fiction. Good pulp fiction, that shows its age in some ways, yet is timeless in its fun and appeal. The Stainless Steel Rat quickly became a series that is still entertaining 50 years later.