....Tim posted a photo:

I first read this book about 20 years ago (this actual book), though the story was written in the '50s, and love this series by Harry Harrison. I have recently uncovered them in my parents attic and am having a nostalgic read through books of my 'teens!

"The Stainless Steel Rat is anti-hero James Bolivar diGriz, who goes by many aliases, including "Slippery Jim" and "The Stainless Steel Rat".

He is a futuristic con man, thief and all-round rascal. He is charming and quick-witted, a master of disguise and martial arts, an accomplished bank robber, an expert on breaking and entering, and (perhaps most usefully) a skilled liar.

A master of self-rationalization, the Rat frequently justifies his crimes by arguing that he is providing society with entertainment; and besides which, he only steals from institutions which have insurance coverage. "

Taken from Wikipedia:-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_Steel_Rat

Also worth a fun read are the Bill The Galactic Hero novels...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill%2C_the_Galactic_Hero

Posted on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:16:33 -0800 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tim_norris/2796885391/
Author: nobody@flickr.com (....Tim)