
In his introduction to The Naked and the Deadly, Lawrence Block discusses how he got into writing for men’s adventure magazines (MAMs) and how that led him to the eventual writing career he’s practiced for 65 years.
I’ve read a more than couple dozen of Lawrence Block’s books over the years, from Evan Tanner to Matthew Scudder to Chip Harrison to Keller to Bernie Rhodenbarr. I’ve always considered Block a consummate professional and a craftsman. But the stories in The Naked and the Deadly are examples of a young writer learning how to tell a story. You’ll see gradual improvement in the quality of the stories as you go from the Fifties to the Sixties. Eventually, Block abandoned the MAMs market and concentrated on crime fiction where he achieved success.
If you want to experience a sample of the early writings of an excellent writer, check out The Naked and the Deadly. Are you a Lawrence Block fan? GRADE: B
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Tricks of the Trade by Wyatt Doyle and Robert Deis — 9
- Introduction by Lawrence Block — 17
- “Queen of the Clipper Ships” from REAL MEN April 1958 — 24
- “The Greatest Ship Disaster in American History” from REAL MEN April 1958 — 37
- “She Doesn’t Want You!” from REAL MEN June 1958 — 45
- “Pleasure Cruise for 137 Corpses” from REAL MEN November 1958 — 53
- “They Called Him ‘King of Pain’” from ALL MAN September 1961 — 61
- “Killers All Around Me” from ALL MAN September 1961 — 71
- “The Naked and the Deadly” from MAN’S MAGAZINE October 1962 — 81
- “Just Window Shopping” from MAN’S MAGAZINE December 1962 — 153
- “Stag Party Girl” from MAN’S MAGAZINE February 1963 — 159
- “Twin Call Girls” from MAN’S MAGAZINE August 1963 — 228
- “Great Istanbul Gold Grab” from FOR MEN ONLY March 1967 — 294
- “Bring On the Girls” from STAG July 1968 — 368