The Bachman Books: Four Early Novels by Stephen King : Rage, the Long Walk, Roadwork, the Running Man by Stephen King (1985, Hardcover)

These are four King stories that have stayed with me since my high school days in the late 1980s. I have re-read them and 15 years later still intense and kept me turning the pages.

King wrote under the name Richard Bachman most likely to explore deeper and darker writings. He had succeeded to go where he hadn't with his classic novels.

"Rage" an alienated boy holds his class hostage at gun point. Written in an empathic way of those involved.

"The Long Walk" is a game show of the future, where you walk until you drop, and when you drop, then your out of the game of life. It is hard to put this one down as it draws you in and you will need to know who finishes.

"Running Man" is probably the most famous of his stories as was made into the movie with Richard Donner, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more familiar faces. A game show where the 'criminals' are trust inyo a gauntlet full of crazy stalkers, who's job it is to kill. Action packed and alot of fun.

"Roadwork" is about a man who wants to give up who can't accept change. The main character wants to hold on to all the familiar things in his life and he fears he may lose them. Sometimes progress comes with harsh consequences.

King has always had a thing with monsters and in these stories he went further into the monster's's of human nature.

Stephen King was and still is brilliant and relevant.

These four novels existed in obscurity until their author announced that Bachman was in fact himself--Stephen King, who had already sold millions of copies of his novels and story collections. The inclusion of "Rage" resulted in the quick disappearance of this collection from bookstores and online booksellers following American school shootings, especially at Columbine H.S. in Littleton, Colorado. "Rage" is an insightful study of teen frustration and confusion, acted out in a very ugly way. "Road Work" is a character study of the most intese sort with the action almost exclusively taking place in a single location--a home in the path of a new highway extension project. "The Running Man" is a tale of ingenuity and sharp-thinking in the face of imminent death with a final violent scene painfully reminiscent, and prescient of the tragedy of 9/11. "The Long Walk" is King yet again in the mode of seer presenting a reality show pitting teens in a deadly and exhausting race.
Awesome collection that's diverse enough for anyone who doubts King's storytelling genius.

Here is a collection of short stories by Richard Bachman (Stephen Kings pseudonym), and it's a rare collection that would be a must have for any hard core Stephen King fans. One of the stories, Rage, is out of circulation and has been taken out of publication as per King's request. The stories are gruesome, haunting, and at times all-too real. The mastermind behind IT, Carrie, Cujo, and the Dark Tower series is at it again, and this time nothing can hold him back. Not even his name.

If you read Stephen King because of the scary stories, you may not appreciate "The Bachman Books". If you read his stuff because you think he's a great (or at least really good) writer, you'll definitely dig it. Looking at it now, its easy to see its basic King, the language, the quotes before chapters, the laundry (Roadwork {The Bachman Books}, The Mangler and Graveyard Shift (Night Shift} were all partially inspired by Kings stint in a commercial laundry)and of course everything takes place in Maine.
I've read it 3 times, I graded it good rather than excellent because it didn't "grab" me like some of his books have. Never-the-less, buy it, read it, enjoy it.

I've only finished two of the four novels within this book, but I can already say its been one of the most intense books I've read in along while!!! I was on the edge of my seat as I finished "The Long Walk" I recommend this to anyone who's a Steven King fan or just enjoys great novels.