rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Rounded up from 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed it, as I have most of the Louis L'Amour books I've ready (3 now - not a statistically significant sampling), but I'm not likely to reread it. L'Amour clearly loves the time, places and types of people he chronicled - and he absolutely loves classic literature.
His writing respects women, even though they aren't usually the central character. They are strong, smart, hardy, wise, well-read, and occasionally flirtatious, fearful and resentful. In other words, sparsely sketched but real people.
His writing respects minorities and cultural differences. Even though Bendigo Shafter is hunted by a Shoshone brave, Bendigo is able to articulate and understand the Native American view, without anything like an arrogant "I know them so well" attitude, and certainly without contempt or resentment.
His writing commonly praises hard work, self-sufficiency, openness of mind and the desire to learn and read, and respect (if not outright worship) for land and environment,
And I can usually find a quote that resonates deeply. In this case, while hiding in a slight cave on a snowy night, being hunted by baddies (whites, not natives): "Snug in my shelter, I enjoyed my fire, sipped hot tea, and considered how quickly a reasonably civilized man can become primitive. And how fortunate he is if he knows how primitive man survived."
Preach, brother.
I've pretty much resigned myself: If some apocalyptic societal collapse happens and we're dependent on what survival skills we have, I will not be one of the last people standing. If I can't look it up on the internet, I'm going to have some trouble.
His writing respects women, even though they aren't usually the central character. They are strong, smart, hardy, wise, well-read, and occasionally flirtatious, fearful and resentful. In other words, sparsely sketched but real people.
His writing respects minorities and cultural differences. Even though Bendigo Shafter is hunted by a Shoshone brave, Bendigo is able to articulate and understand the Native American view, without anything like an arrogant "I know them so well" attitude, and certainly without contempt or resentment.
His writing commonly praises hard work, self-sufficiency, openness of mind and the desire to learn and read, and respect (if not outright worship) for land and environment,
And I can usually find a quote that resonates deeply. In this case, while hiding in a slight cave on a snowy night, being hunted by baddies (whites, not natives): "Snug in my shelter, I enjoyed my fire, sipped hot tea, and considered how quickly a reasonably civilized man can become primitive. And how fortunate he is if he knows how primitive man survived."
Preach, brother.
I've pretty much resigned myself: If some apocalyptic societal collapse happens and we're dependent on what survival skills we have, I will not be one of the last people standing. If I can't look it up on the internet, I'm going to have some trouble.
ikelewis678's review against another edition
5.0
This book partly takes place in my childhood stomping-grounds, which made a good book unforgettable.
lugojayce's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Classic Louis, great western with all the feeling of open range.
sewingdervish's review against another edition
4.0
Book 1 and 2 were great, book 3 was a bit of a snooze. I felt like the time line was unclear, to me it read as 2 years but some how Ninon became a woman, I also did NOT care at all about their relationship. Was there even a relationship to care about? But the first two books were excellent.
a_ender's review against another edition
5.0
A brilliant book. Longer than most of his books. Not just in length but in scale, though it scarcely covers a few years. Brilliantly written and executed and will make you want to live in the wild. Have already started a reading list from the books mentioned in it(19 of them). Will treasure this. A slow but brilliant read.
papi's review against another edition
4.0
I have always enjoyed Louis L'Amour's writing, and IMHO this was one of his best. I think I liked it in part because it showed a side of the opening of the west that seldom showed up in his books, and also showed the growth of a boy to manhood. This novel was cloer to historical fiction than most of his other books. Very enjoyable.
jayrothermel's review against another edition
5.0
Great novel about a young man coming of age in the South Pass area of Wyoming in late 1860s.
More...