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Traveler #1
First You Fight
Vintage paperback
175 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1984
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156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 2, 2020
This series is classic 80's post-apocalypse fiction. They are basically classic pulp adventure stories retold in a Road Warrior-Esque North America. These are very much written for young men. There is a lot of violence, some sex, and much talk about cars and guns. I feel this series deserves more attention than it has gotten. This is not great literature, but it is as good or better than anything written by Kenneth Robeson, or Edgar Rice Burroughs.
2020 reread.
This is the first in a post-apocalyptic series that is clearly influenced by the movie Road Warrior. It is a post-apocalyptic version of Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" and Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars." D.B. Drumm is a house name. This first book was written by Ed Naha. He does a good job of establishing the setting and main character and their backgrounds while still delivering a blood-soaked action-adventure story. The first book of the series has none of the over the top craziness that is to come, mutants, a visiting alien, and a trip to Hell. For the most part, this is a guilty pleasure read. The Traveler series is some of the best pulp fiction produced in the 80s. If you are interested in this kind of pulp fiction I'd also recommend The Outrider series by Richard Harding.
2020 reread.
This is the first in a post-apocalyptic series that is clearly influenced by the movie Road Warrior. It is a post-apocalyptic version of Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" and Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars." D.B. Drumm is a house name. This first book was written by Ed Naha. He does a good job of establishing the setting and main character and their backgrounds while still delivering a blood-soaked action-adventure story. The first book of the series has none of the over the top craziness that is to come, mutants, a visiting alien, and a trip to Hell. For the most part, this is a guilty pleasure read. The Traveler series is some of the best pulp fiction produced in the 80s. If you are interested in this kind of pulp fiction I'd also recommend The Outrider series by Richard Harding.
November 5, 2017
This is the first in a post-apocalyptic series that seems clearly influenced by the movie Road Warrior. It's about fifteen years after the "nuke-out," which seems to have occurred in this book's timeline around 1984, when the book was written. It features a man known only as Traveler, an ex-special forces soldier who was exposed pre-war to a very nasty neurotoxin that often causes him great pain but which also seems to provide him with some extra-sensory ability to detect emotions. In this volume, Traveler stumbles into a town where two opposing war-lords divide the town between them. Shades of Kuroisowa's "Yojimbo" and Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars." As one might expect, Traveler ends up pitting the two sides against each other.
I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit and will look for others in the series. Although the story is pretty standard, the writing was good and the character interesting. Better done than many in the post-apocalyptic genre.
I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit and will look for others in the series. Although the story is pretty standard, the writing was good and the character interesting. Better done than many in the post-apocalyptic genre.
Want to read
February 28, 2018Written by John Shirley as D. B. Drumm that takes place 15 years after a nuclear apocalypse and the antics of the remaining survivors.
December 29, 2019
This is a difficult book for me to rate. It has high entertainment value, but unfortunately, it is of the action movie variety. Sure, it's fun to read about explosions, human depravity, quick-draw knife battles, torturing hostages, and what not, but after a certain point I begin to question the time I've spent, to examine the pages I've turned for some semblance of human dignity.
I understand the author's utilitarian concerns. This is pulp fiction, printed on recycled toilet paper. A hundred years from now, no one is going to write a dissertation on the Traveler series. It is just one notch above those adventure magazines boys hide under their beds. I must say, however, that if you are looking for a simple, straightforward gore-fest, look no further.
The first book in the Outrider series, in my opinion, was far superior to this one. In that epic yarn, you had a Mad Max ripoff battling inhuman odds, with incredible pacing and satisfying moments of heartbreak and sadistic joy. In this series, however, I had trouble identifying with the main character. A certain amount of sarcasm is warranted, I'll grant, but the acidic cynicism of Traveler borders on the misanthropic. The twists and turns of his pre-doomed misadventures are less predictable than they are completely random. There is no real femme fatale, and the big baddies rarely show their ugly mugs. Instead you get endless ranks and files of disposable thugs, shoddily armed, and mishap-prone. You get tasteless depictions of women doing un-progressive things against their will or against the odds.
The bleak societal criticisms, relying as they do on Vietnam-era politics come off as more dated than relevant. The perspective of a near-future which has by now past usually has that effect. But think of Philip K. Dick or Orwell, who could make 1984 look ominous, and who got a few things right. I'm not saying that D. B. Drumm didn't think about what he was doing, but what I've read of this series seems to play out like a weekly serial the author wrote using a series of checkboxes. Pressed for time, he might've reached into a tried and true toolbox of snide comments, fluffy tropes, and contrived situations. Instead of plotting out a logical progression for the protagonist, the reliance on intense violence violates my innate inability to turn off my brain.
On the plus side, all of the prerequisites for a good time for most people are met. Every word out of the protag's mouth elicits a chuckle. The chewing-gum plot is completely forgettable but for some, will be a welcome distraction. I am a sucker for burnt out wastelands tenanted by goofy, grimy sociopaths. Witty banter is never so apropos as when it comes from a gritty, gristly, leather-jacket sporting mercenary and a blundering henchman. Is it a harmless diversion or a searing cult classic? Decide for yourself.
Is it morbid curiosity or subtle appreciate that makes me want to continue on to Traveler #2?
I understand the author's utilitarian concerns. This is pulp fiction, printed on recycled toilet paper. A hundred years from now, no one is going to write a dissertation on the Traveler series. It is just one notch above those adventure magazines boys hide under their beds. I must say, however, that if you are looking for a simple, straightforward gore-fest, look no further.
The first book in the Outrider series, in my opinion, was far superior to this one. In that epic yarn, you had a Mad Max ripoff battling inhuman odds, with incredible pacing and satisfying moments of heartbreak and sadistic joy. In this series, however, I had trouble identifying with the main character. A certain amount of sarcasm is warranted, I'll grant, but the acidic cynicism of Traveler borders on the misanthropic. The twists and turns of his pre-doomed misadventures are less predictable than they are completely random. There is no real femme fatale, and the big baddies rarely show their ugly mugs. Instead you get endless ranks and files of disposable thugs, shoddily armed, and mishap-prone. You get tasteless depictions of women doing un-progressive things against their will or against the odds.
The bleak societal criticisms, relying as they do on Vietnam-era politics come off as more dated than relevant. The perspective of a near-future which has by now past usually has that effect. But think of Philip K. Dick or Orwell, who could make 1984 look ominous, and who got a few things right. I'm not saying that D. B. Drumm didn't think about what he was doing, but what I've read of this series seems to play out like a weekly serial the author wrote using a series of checkboxes. Pressed for time, he might've reached into a tried and true toolbox of snide comments, fluffy tropes, and contrived situations. Instead of plotting out a logical progression for the protagonist, the reliance on intense violence violates my innate inability to turn off my brain.
On the plus side, all of the prerequisites for a good time for most people are met. Every word out of the protag's mouth elicits a chuckle. The chewing-gum plot is completely forgettable but for some, will be a welcome distraction. I am a sucker for burnt out wastelands tenanted by goofy, grimy sociopaths. Witty banter is never so apropos as when it comes from a gritty, gristly, leather-jacket sporting mercenary and a blundering henchman. Is it a harmless diversion or a searing cult classic? Decide for yourself.
Is it morbid curiosity or subtle appreciate that makes me want to continue on to Traveler #2?
September 15, 2013
First You Fight is the first in the Traveler series of post-apocalyptic books.
Traveler is a man who left his name behind when the world went to crap. He travels around in a custom vehicle surviving day to day. He is a loner and a skilled combatant.
Traveler has one major issue; he has been affected by an experimental agent before the bombs dropped. This causes occasional seizures and some lapses into past experiences.
In this story, Traveler finds himself in a town that survived the war. Unfortunately, two groups entered the town at the same time and are each trying to control it. With a shipment of arms rumored to be passing by, Traveler finds himself in the middle of a war coming to its final conclusion.
For the most part, this is a guilty pleasure read. Not much extra thought needed to go into reading this book. A few new and innovative ideas were introduced, but this still comes down to a pulp fiction read.
I caught the idea that this is supposedly 15 years after a nuclear war and there is still a separation of fulltime Army and National Guardsmen. One might have thought that they would either blend together or dissolve in that amount of time. One would at least think that people wouldn't still call themselves National Guardsmen when running in what are basically gangs or organized crime organizations.
Oh well. It is what it is.
Traveler is a man who left his name behind when the world went to crap. He travels around in a custom vehicle surviving day to day. He is a loner and a skilled combatant.
Traveler has one major issue; he has been affected by an experimental agent before the bombs dropped. This causes occasional seizures and some lapses into past experiences.
In this story, Traveler finds himself in a town that survived the war. Unfortunately, two groups entered the town at the same time and are each trying to control it. With a shipment of arms rumored to be passing by, Traveler finds himself in the middle of a war coming to its final conclusion.
For the most part, this is a guilty pleasure read. Not much extra thought needed to go into reading this book. A few new and innovative ideas were introduced, but this still comes down to a pulp fiction read.
I caught the idea that this is supposedly 15 years after a nuclear war and there is still a separation of fulltime Army and National Guardsmen. One might have thought that they would either blend together or dissolve in that amount of time. One would at least think that people wouldn't still call themselves National Guardsmen when running in what are basically gangs or organized crime organizations.
Oh well. It is what it is.
December 24, 2021
I picked this book up on a whim. I noticed it was short, 175 pages and for the price I grabbed it. I wasn’t expecting much from Traveler, it’s a typical post apocalyptic wasteland, which was very popular in the 80s thanks in part to mad max the movie, so these types of 80s novels are far and wide.
To my surprise I LOVED this book. It’s everything I loved about From the Ashes series, without a lot of the preaching that Ashes has. If the creators of Fallout (the video game) didn’t read this book, I would be very shocked.
You follow the adventure of The Traveler, a mercenary who is traveling a now wasteland of the USA. This book, PACKS the adventure in just 175 pages. The way the author weaves in the travelers PTSD and flashbacks is very impressive. Plus, it seems our traveler has a bit of “super powers” thanks to a chemical drug used on him.
Not to put anyone off by “super powers” consider it more of a sixth Sense. This book has an awesome story line with its characters fantastically written. This is an ongoing 15 book series, and I can’t wait to see what the traveler has in store!
Great read, can’t recommend it enough! One of my favorite books I read this year, if not my favorite!
To my surprise I LOVED this book. It’s everything I loved about From the Ashes series, without a lot of the preaching that Ashes has. If the creators of Fallout (the video game) didn’t read this book, I would be very shocked.
You follow the adventure of The Traveler, a mercenary who is traveling a now wasteland of the USA. This book, PACKS the adventure in just 175 pages. The way the author weaves in the travelers PTSD and flashbacks is very impressive. Plus, it seems our traveler has a bit of “super powers” thanks to a chemical drug used on him.
Not to put anyone off by “super powers” consider it more of a sixth Sense. This book has an awesome story line with its characters fantastically written. This is an ongoing 15 book series, and I can’t wait to see what the traveler has in store!
Great read, can’t recommend it enough! One of my favorite books I read this year, if not my favorite!
April 6, 2019
I first read these books back when I was in middle school (which I hid from my parents because, yeah, I probably shouldn't have been reading them at 12 but it was the 80s) and I remember loving them. Now that I'm an adult I can see that they were a lot more than just pulp men's adventure. They were that for sure, but the authors who wrote under the pseudonym were all accomplished sci-fi and horror writers and that definitely leaks through. They are quick, fun, reads that harken back to a time when a nuclear holocaust seemed almost too inevitable.
July 15, 2017
A highly enjoyable action adventure from the eighties.
November 11, 2020
This is an 80's post-apocalyptic pulp series that I found through a late friend of mine. I inherited a number of his books, and one of the later books in this series was in there. So, nothing about the character is new to me, as this isn't my first book in the series. As far as I understand it, there are 2 different authors for the series using the D.B Drumm pen name, John Shirley and Ed Naha. Naha is responsible for the first, and then a number of the later ones. After reading one of each, Naha has a slight edge, but we'll see what happens after I read a couple more.
It's a super fast read, slightly funny at times and kind of a fun ride. The plot is basically Yojimbo/Last Man Standing/A Fist Full of Dollars/Red Harvest . . . . you get the picture. No real surprises, but it has a Road Warrior, post-apocalyptic wanderer vibe which makes it kind of fun.
Kind of hard to find as it's out of print and not available digitally, so look for it if you must, but not required reading in any way.
It's a super fast read, slightly funny at times and kind of a fun ride. The plot is basically Yojimbo/Last Man Standing/A Fist Full of Dollars/Red Harvest . . . . you get the picture. No real surprises, but it has a Road Warrior, post-apocalyptic wanderer vibe which makes it kind of fun.
Kind of hard to find as it's out of print and not available digitally, so look for it if you must, but not required reading in any way.
December 30, 2023
Awesome setting for a 12 season TV show!! Mutants!! Psi powers!! After the nuke!! road warrior!! Hot babes!! Ripped warrior white stud with machine guns in custom armoured van vs mutant bikers gangs!! SICK WORLD BUILDING!! REsident evil tried to rip this off just as star wars did doctor who with tom baker the hidden assassin!! AWESOME!!! Heterosexual violence and sexy fun!! wargames!! Who will die next? Hot babes appreciating strong man! NO boss babes or feminist fantasy enforced by usury bankers fake sales sammers!! Like the executioner there is reason the books were multi dozen series!! Like dying earth and star trek adn star wrs many author should take up gauntlet but no gay or feminist shit only gritty steven seagal in a post nuke environemtn shit! In fact seaagal should dorp 70 pounds and be prefect the the part!!
May 20, 2020
This was a blast from the past (no pun) I reread this a few years ago. I first read it when I was
14-I left it hidden under my pillow because of the cheap porn type sex in the story which involves
a former soldier roaming the nuked out U.S. in search of the man who infected him with a nerve gas
which gives him special powers. Traveler is a Mad Max/Rambo style character who comes to the
rescue of a town being terrorised by two rival gangs. The book itself is quite exciting and is quite
well written. Other books included a giant mutant talking cat( no seriously) and concrete eating
mutants-I bet that played hell with the teeth. Overall, I enjoyed this 80's slice of pulp fiction although I always enjoyed Phoenix more. Great for a miserable wet weekend.
14-I left it hidden under my pillow because of the cheap porn type sex in the story which involves
a former soldier roaming the nuked out U.S. in search of the man who infected him with a nerve gas
which gives him special powers. Traveler is a Mad Max/Rambo style character who comes to the
rescue of a town being terrorised by two rival gangs. The book itself is quite exciting and is quite
well written. Other books included a giant mutant talking cat( no seriously) and concrete eating
mutants-I bet that played hell with the teeth. Overall, I enjoyed this 80's slice of pulp fiction although I always enjoyed Phoenix more. Great for a miserable wet weekend.
March 27, 2025
This is a book that kinda defies ratings. It's complete 80s post-apocalyptic schlock that hits just about every trope, good and bad. But it's action-packed and races along. As much as the main character is cut in the Rambo mode, he also evokes the Rambo of First Blood - a deeply traumatized, damaged man.
November 16, 2019
Den rejsende, mad max lookalike med en varevogn fyldt med våben redder dagen, hvis det da er, at redde dagen i en ødelagt verden der ikke bliver som den var.
Der er nogen huller i bogen, hvor handlingen ikke fungere. Men ellers en rigtig drenge bog😃
Der er nogen huller i bogen, hvor handlingen ikke fungere. Men ellers en rigtig drenge bog😃
March 1, 2020
3.5 rounded down. This is a nice introduction to our man Traveler. Good action and characters. Traveler is Jack Reacher and Mad Max rolled into one. I expect the 13 book series to get better and better.
June 22, 2021
I would have given it a 3.5. It was pretty fun post apocalyptic “nameless stranger enters town” kind of story. Not bad at all but not really great either. It was decent enough that I’d like to read the next book.
July 24, 2018
The traveler series was one of my favorite books to read as a youth. Very engaging and though provoking. If you like the Post Apoc theme with a wonder writer, this series is for you.
February 7, 2025
80-luvun humppaa ja vauhdikasta post-apokalyptista hölmöilyä. Valitettavan ajankohtaiseksi pikavauhtia muuttunutta tosin. Mutta kyllä tämän kiinnostuneena luki.
wish-list
March 24, 2009John Shirley writing as D.B. Drumm.
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