Cool Hand Luke: Introduction by Antonia Quirke

Written using Donn Pearce''s own experiences of working on a Florida chain gang, Cool Hand Luke is the classic tale of a quiet hero who refused to conform. Forced into a chain gang after a controversial career in the army, Lucas Jackson''s outsized feats range from bizarre acts of gluttony and gambling - betting a fellow inmate he can eat 50 eggs - to harrowing escape attempts. Luke''s acts of defiance and his refusal to ''git his mind right'' soon make him a legend among his fellow convicts - a symbol of hope in a cruel regime designed to break a man''s body and spirit. The original rebel, Luke''s anti-hero personality makes him one of the seminal non-conformists - born to lose, but full of dignity.

Cool Hand Luke was turned into a film in 1967, the year after its initial publication, starring Paul Newman. The screenplay, scripted by Donn Pearce himself, was nominated for an Academy Award.