Thread: Matt Helm rides again.

I am a big fan of Donald Hamilton's series of books about Matt Helm. Just discovered that there has been a prequal written about Helm. I enjoyed the books because of the knowledge of firearms and other things that Hamiliton brought to the series.

For instance in his first novel he describes the usefullness of a 1950 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup truck with 4 speed transmission as an all around utility vehicle.

He also was the first write i know of who placed any importance on the use of the folding pocket knife in self defense or in the case of Helm, self offense.

I recommend you find a copy of his first book, "Death of a Citizen". I am sure you will not be disapointed.

The current offering is entitled, "Matt Helm, The War Years" and is available from Amazon.

Based on the logic of Hamilton's choice of weaponry for his character, Matt Helm, Upon completion of my military service, my first purchase was a Smith & Wesson Model 37 Airweight revolver and a Buck 110 folding knife.

Today I have much better equipment but the old ones will still do the job.

It came as a surprise to me that no one has commented on the new Matt Helm book. But i then remembered Donald Hamilton wrote the series in the 60's and 70's and many of our members were around then. Old Geezers like me tend to forget that as generations pass some things are left behind and the books have been out of print for years.
When the early James Bond craze came about. Helm was everything Bond was not. While Bond drove Bentlys and Aston Martins, Helm drove a 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup with a camper shell on the back. Bond was famous for his Walther PPK while Helm used a Smith & Wesson snub nose .38 airweight revolver and a folding pocket knife. Hamiltons books were full of his opinions on automobile, guns, hunting and fishing, dogs The books had good plots and were realistic enough to the life of a post WW2 counterterrorit would be like. The books can still be found in used book stores. Suggest you start with Death of a Citizen which is the first in the series of 27 books. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Not familiar with it, but it sounds like fun. I'll see if Half Price books has any next time I stock up on reading stuff.

Been on a Brad Thor and C J Box kick lately.

Always been a Lee Childs Jack Reacher fan. Pissed me off when they cast that idiot Tom Cruise in the movie. LOL