Excellent read. A planet that could be a paradise is ruled by a totally corrupt president who cheats, steals from and murders any citizen that dares to question his rule. Enter the Stainless Steel Rat who is determined to oust the evil president, even if it means he must become a politician himself - that is how serious he is about it. As usual with the adventures with Slippery Jim Di Griz, the action is nonstop and highly enjoyable.
Didn't age well and probably was written way too soon.
4 stars
Topics of autocracy are simplified almost to a joke. Re-reading the book in 2022, it doesn't feel like it age well. But then again, it was written just 40 odd years after the end of World War II, so I'm not sure why did Harrison even bother writing a comedy about autocracies. It's still 4 stars because he explains how they work well enough, also good for children.
Review of 'The Stainless Steel Rat for President' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
"I have seen presidential elections where ancient actors and proven crooks have been elected"
Written in 1982 but sadly, every bit as topical today, two days before the 2020 US presidential election. Seemed like a good time to read this 8th book in the Stainless Steel Rat series - here, Slippery Jim DiGriz is married to the lovely Angelina, father to 20-year old sons James and Bolivar, and on vacation to tropical paradise world Paraiso-Aqui. When a local revolutionary slips him a note asking for help freeing the oppressed population, the Stainless Steel Rat decides to take the results of the next rigged election into his own hands and bring a true democracy to the world, with fairly predictable hijinks ensuing a the old, corrupt dictator fights back. DiGriz and his family bring their wits, advanced technology, and cheesy brand of derring-do to yet another Stainless Steel Rat book. A …
"I have seen presidential elections where ancient actors and proven crooks have been elected"
Written in 1982 but sadly, every bit as topical today, two days before the 2020 US presidential election. Seemed like a good time to read this 8th book in the Stainless Steel Rat series - here, Slippery Jim DiGriz is married to the lovely Angelina, father to 20-year old sons James and Bolivar, and on vacation to tropical paradise world Paraiso-Aqui. When a local revolutionary slips him a note asking for help freeing the oppressed population, the Stainless Steel Rat decides to take the results of the next rigged election into his own hands and bring a true democracy to the world, with fairly predictable hijinks ensuing a the old, corrupt dictator fights back. DiGriz and his family bring their wits, advanced technology, and cheesy brand of derring-do to yet another Stainless Steel Rat book. A fun if meaningless romp in the usual style, though I felt it was a bit of a lost opportunity to reflect a little more deeply on some of the themes. Heinlein could do this style of cheesy SF with some actual real political philosophy behind it (The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress springs to mind) and this felt a little lacking in comparison. Fun, but could have been more.