The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison Episode #90
Harry Harrison | August 23, 2023-
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The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison Episode #90
Harry Harrison
THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT
Episode #90 · Written by Harry Harrison · Narrated by Scott Miller
A master criminal slips through a galaxy grown soft and complacent, exploiting every gap in its shiny façade—until an unseen force finally matches his brilliance. Cornered and outplayed, he discovers an unexpected offer that could change his life forever.
The Stainless Steel Rat introduces James Bolivar diGriz—better known across the stars as “Slippery Jim”—a gifted criminal plying his trade in an age so stable and orderly that crime is almost extinct. For Jim, that’s the fun of it. Society has sealed every crack, tightened every bolt, and sterilized every possible life path, but he has made a profession out of finding the gaps. With disguises, forged identities, clever inventions, and the smooth confidence of a born operator, he glides through the galaxy taking what he wants and slipping away before anyone can react./p>
But this time, something is different. After a heist worthy of his legend, Jim finds himself outmaneuvered at every turn by someone who knows his style, anticipates his tricks, and blocks every escape route. Pursued by a force that behaves nothing like the slow, predictable police he is used to outwitting, Jim is pushed to his limits in a twisting pursuit that turns into a battle of intellects. When the truth finally snaps into focus, he faces a revelation that forces him to choose between the life he knows and a startling new path./p>
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harry Harrison, born Henry Maxwell Dempsey, became one of the most influential adventure-focused science fiction writers of the 20th century. Before becoming a full-time author, he worked as an illustrator, editor, and comic book artist—experience that sharpened his sense of pacing, visual action, and sleek, cinematic storytelling. Harrison’s fiction blended humor, clever plotting, and a lightly satirical view of humanity’s ambitions and flaws, giving his work a warm, energetic style that still feels fresh today.
He created numerous classics, including Make Room! Make Room! (the basis for Soylent Green) and the long-running Stainless Steel Rat series. His stories emphasize quick-thinking protagonists, moral nuance, and a playful sense of rebellion that resonated deeply with readers. Harrison helped define a lively, accessible branch of science fiction—one filled with daring escapes, scheming antiheroes, and bright, pulpy fun. His influence continues to echo through modern adventure sci-fi, and The Stainless Steel Rat remains one of his most enduring creations.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison — a witty vintage sci-fi adventure. A tale of crime, escape, and unexpected twists.
HARRY HARRISON SHORT STORIES
Harry Harrison never approached science fiction quietly. He brought velocity, mischief, and a sharp-edged sense of irony to every page he wrote.
Harrison understood that the future could be thrilling, absurd, dangerous, and darkly funny all at once. He loved competent rogues, stubborn survivors, ambitious cadets, and machines that behaved just a little too independently. Whether he was writing about interstellar con artists, military mishaps, planetary politics, or robots questioning their assigned roles, there is always movement in his stories. Ships launch. Plans unravel. Authority is tested. Someone usually thinks they’re in control — and usually isn’t.
At the same time, Harrison never loses sight of character. His heroes are rarely polished icons. They improvise. They bluff. They adapt under pressure. Even his mechanical creations carry attitude, curiosity, or quiet defiance. The tension often comes not from overwhelming cosmic forces, but from clever minds colliding — criminals versus lawmen, humans versus their own inventions, cadets versus impossible expectations.
Harrison’s range stretches from biting satire to straight-faced adventure. One story may lean into sly humor while another builds pressure through tactical maneuvering or moral standoff. Yet the voice is unmistakable. Clean prose. Forward momentum. A sense that something is always about to go wrong — and someone quick-thinking might just turn it around.
The stories below highlight that range — rebellious antiheroes, restless robots, uneasy first contact, military surprises, and futures that never behave the way officials expect. If you enjoy intelligence mixed with action and a streak of irreverence running through the stars, Harry Harrison delivers every time.
- The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison
- The Misplaced Battleship by Harry Harrison
- The Robot Who Wanted To Know by Harry Harrison
- Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison
- The Robots Strike by Harry Harrison
- Welcoming Committee by Harry Harrison
- Trainee for Mars by Harry Harrison
- The Repairman by Harry Harrison
- The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison
ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST
The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.8 million listens.
Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.
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“Scott Miller’s narration of old science fiction short stories is just wonderful. Of course, so is the material! Everyone from Ray Bradbury to HG Wells to Lovecraft to Asimov to Jack London and on and on... But there are also the one-timer sci-fi short-story writers that are relatively unknown and Miller provides a little background on them all. Extremely well done. Bravo, Scott Miller!”
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Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.
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