The Destroyer: Created, The Destroyer #1

I bought it because I was a fan of the movie, but the book is even better. I look forward to reading the whole series!

I purchased this book in the early 70's and have been hooked ever since. There is much satire in the series along with much humor. However, the main focus is Remo learning from Chium to become the next Master of Sinanju as well as saving the US and other countries as well. The series is - overall - very well written. The relationship between Remo and Chiun is fascinating. This series, which has about 150 stories now, is perhaps my favorite along with the Perry Rhodan series.

I will agree with the other reviewers that the first two books in the DEstroyer series almost do not even count and the series would really not find its way and unique style until the third book in the series. Still...this is the beginning as we learn how the NJ cop Remo Williams gets the chair for murder and is then resuscitated and recruited by a super secret agency Known as CURE. Remo is trained in the deadly Korean martial art known as Sinanju by Chiun, master assasin, and uses his new skills to battle evil under the guidance of CURE's director, Smith. The first book really doesn't develop any of the characters with the personalities that they would come to have once the series took off but it is still notable as THE first and as such deserves a place of honor. It's rather slow moving but historical still.

The Destroyer, particularly in its first incarnation with the original authors, was a surface-level "men's adventure" series of short novels with satirical undertones that rose above other entries in the genre, such as the Executioner. The original novel is something of a false start, in that it was conceived as a standalone novel, not the paperback equivalent of a 1930s/40s character pulp that it turned out to be (conceding that its wit rises above the genre). The series is such that you can really pick up any installment and start going. Indeed, prior to the Internet age, its unclear how many people were able to quickly lay hands on the first book. It's best to stick with the books _written_ by Murphy and Sapir, not those listed as _created_ by Murphy and Sapir. The later ghost authors have not fared as well as the originals. This book is really simply the original of Remo Williams, assasain for an agency that does not exist, and his teacher Chiun, the last master of a martial art that makes ninjas look like Tai Chi in the park. Yes, there's a hit and some tests, but it's really about establishing characters.

The Destroyer is a series of books ( over 130 ) total. Why so many? Because Destroyer Fans can't get enough. Well written, highly ingenuitive, The Destroyer is the type of series and ideas everyone wishes they had come up with. You will be entrapped by the humor and intrigue of Remo Williams and his side-kick, Chiun, the Master of Sinanju, who would kill me for calling him Remo's sidekick. These two will crack you up, and keep you on your toes as they do the United State's dirty work at home and abroad, as the enforcement arm of the secret agency that keeps America free. Do yourself a favor, join us Destroyer Fans, I think you'll be glad you did. One hint, start with Volume 1. It is titled, Created:The Destroyer.