This is the first in a series of nine novels based on the television series "Get Smart". This book tells the story of Maxwell Smart, code named Secret Agent 86. He is given the task to find and retrieve a robot named FRED {Fechnerized Radiological Electronic Decoder}. He is helped by the robot's builder named Blossom Rose, and "K-13, Fang the Spy Dog". Also hunting for the robot is the villainous group known as FLAG {Free Lance Agents Amalgamated} ("They have a little spelling problem"). The story takes place in New York, where the CONTROL is located, {unlike the television series, which is in Washington D.C.}. His female partner, Agent 99 is not present in this book, however Agent 94 is mentioned, or is it 49...? The cover of this book was also used for the 1st, and 8th issues of the comic book. This first book was released in October 1965, about a month after the television show premiered.

Get Smart, books by William Johnston, each book was originally priced at 60¢;
1. Get Smart! #T-103
2. Sorry, Chief... #T-119
3. Get Smart Once Again #T-121
4. Max Smart and the Perilous Pellets #T-140
5. Missed it by That Much #T-154
6. And Loving It! #T-154
7. Max Smart - The Spy Who Went Out to the Cold #T-159
8. Max Smart Loses CONTROL #T-174
9. Max Smart and The Ghastly Ghost Affair #T-191