Picture a grizzled storyteller who traded a chemistry lab for the jungles of Vietnam and the newsrooms of Washington—meet Fred Reed! Born in 1945 in Crumpler, West Virginia, this former Marine turned journalist and author spins tales with a sardonic wit and raw authenticity. From war zones to police beats, Reed’s life fuels his gritty prose, captivating readers with a lens on humanity’s underbelly.
The Making of Fred Reed
Fred Reed grew up in a coal camp, son of a mathematician who served on a Navy destroyer. A self-proclaimed lousy student, he ditched a chemistry-biology major at Hampden-Sydney College after two years, craving adventure. Inspired by Jack Kerouac, he hitchhiked across America, hopped freight trains, and enlisted in the Marines in 1966. Vietnam left him with a Purple Heart, shrapnel in his eyes, and a trove of stories. He later graduated with a history degree, his GREs in the 99th percentile, proving brains beneath the bravado.
Journalism called in 1973 amid the Middle East’s turmoil. Reed dove in as a war correspondent, covering Vietnam’s final days in Phnom Penh and Saigon. His clips landed him gigs at Army Times and Soldier of Fortune, where his tales of mercenaries sparked a Playboy feature—and made him persona non grata at the magazine.
Fred Reed’s Unforgettable Stories
Reed’s writing blends hard-boiled fiction and biting commentary, published in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Playboy, and Harper’s. His fiction, like Triple Tap, follows Robert Dawson, a cynical ex-Marine reporter navigating murders and drug dealers in Washington, D.C. Critics liken it to Raymond Chandler for its gritty pace and unapologetic edge, warning readers seeking ‘niceness’ to steer clear.
A Brass Pole in Bangkok showcases Reed’s essays, skewering feminism, politics, and societal pretenses with humor and venom. His memoir-esque Nekkid in Austin recounts wild days hitchhiking, diving in the Caribbean, and reporting for The Washington Times. Reed’s style—folksy yet erudite—reflects a life of snake butchers in Taiwan and tequila fests in Mexico, where he now resides. His columns for Fred on Everything cement his cult status among readers craving unfiltered takes.
Whether fiction or nonfiction, Reed’s themes—war, crime, and human folly—draw from his front-row seat to chaos. His prose, laced with dark humor, invites readers to laugh at the absurd while confronting grim realities.
Why Fred Reed Matters
Fred Reed’s work resonates for its fearless honesty. As a Vietnam vet and police reporter, he exposes truths polished newsrooms often gloss over. His influence lies in his cult following, drawn to his irreverence and distrust of ideology. Living in Ajijic, Mexico, Reed continues to challenge conventions, inspiring writers to embrace raw authenticity over political correctness.
His legacy endures in readers who value unvarnished perspectives. In a world of sanitized narratives, Reed’s voice—equal parts barroom philosopher and battle-scarred scribe—remains a beacon for those seeking stories that bite.
- Born: 1945 in Crumpler, West Virginia
- Key Works: Triple Tap, A Brass Pole in Bangkok, Nekkid in Austin
- Notable Outlets: The Wall Street Journal, Playboy, The Washington Times
- Military Service: U.S. Marine, Vietnam War veteran with a Purple Heart
About Fred Reed
Snag A Brass Pole in Bangkok and dive into Fred Reed’s sardonic world of wit and wisdom!