sxk's review against another edition
5.0
This book keeps the pace moving and while not delving too deeply into Joe Mac's background, apart from he's Native American and thus is basically a proto-MacGuyver when it comes to fighting, surviving, and living in the tundra, the book keeps you engaged. The characters and their motivations, especially among the Russians, are well established and add real depth to them and their parts in Joe Mack's story. Depth that Joe himself lacks in the book, but he's not an unstoppable terminator either. My one gripe with the book is how it ends. It does not end poorly, but in fact, leaves you wanting more and knowing you'll never get it as the sequel was never written. Can't hold that against L'Amour, but it's a regrettable state of events. I've read a few of the Jack Reacher novels and I found Joe Mack and his story of escaping the Soviet Union to be similar but superior to any Reacher novels I've yet read. That may owe to the time period or the narrator.
mickeymole's review
5.0
One of my favorites. Read it when it came out in the late '80s. I'd read all of the Sackett series, and loved them, so I figured I'd like this one. Turned out to be my favorite L'amour. I really like man vs man, and man vs nature stories. This one has it all. I identify with Joe Mack as "a man born out of time". I read it again years later, and enjoyed it just as much. I hope to get around to it again. If you're a fan of L'amour, be sure to read his autobiography, [b:Education of a Wandering Man|828165|Education of a Wandering Man|Louis L'Amour|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584724203l/828165._SY75_.jpg|509736]. It's the best autobiography I've ever read.
mickeymole's review against another edition
5.0
“Even in the days when we were poor, there were always books. There were libraries, and we read everything. The mind was free to navigate any course; the world of ideas is a vast universe of unexplained worlds, and we were free to go anywhere!”
Thus says one of the characters in this fantastic adventure story. Here, we are taken to the cold wilderness of Siberia of the 1980s. Our hero is Joe Makatuzi, an American Indian in service to America as a pilot of experimental aircraft. When he is forced down by the Soviets, and taken prisoner into the heart of Siberia, you get the feeling that the Russian authorities have bitten off more than they can chew. This is no ordinary Joe, and right from the get-go, escape is the only thing on Joe Mack’s mind.
One man who helps him, Stephan Baronas, describes Joe to his daughter:
“Your young man has learned how to survive in one world, at least. Colonel Zamatev was unwise in not realizing he had captured something wild that could not stand being imprisoned. He is elemental, your friend. He is basic. His thoughts are simple, direct thoughts. I believe, although I don’t know him well enough. I am a little afraid that when Zamatev had him captured he bought more than he bargained for. To Zamatev his action was totally impersonal. He captured a man to squeeze information from him, then to cast him aside. To Makatozi his capture was a deadly, personal insult, I believe. Something to be wiped out in blood.”
But isn’t escape from Siberia and Colonel Arkady Zamatev impossible? Many have tried. None have succeeded… yet.
Louis L’Amour was a first-rate story-teller, and he shows the skills of his art here, just as he has in over 80 Western novels.
Not only is this the story of Joe Mack on his wilderness trek pursued by soldiers, trappers, and one excellent tracker with similar abilities, but it is layered with side stories of the Russian people he encounters along the way. It is a pure pleasure to read these stories and varying perspectives that L’Amour weaves into Joe Mack’s pursuit of freedom.
We are reminded of the importance of such qualities as courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and kindness--traits that seem in short supply today.
Thus says one of the characters in this fantastic adventure story. Here, we are taken to the cold wilderness of Siberia of the 1980s. Our hero is Joe Makatuzi, an American Indian in service to America as a pilot of experimental aircraft. When he is forced down by the Soviets, and taken prisoner into the heart of Siberia, you get the feeling that the Russian authorities have bitten off more than they can chew. This is no ordinary Joe, and right from the get-go, escape is the only thing on Joe Mack’s mind.
One man who helps him, Stephan Baronas, describes Joe to his daughter:
“Your young man has learned how to survive in one world, at least. Colonel Zamatev was unwise in not realizing he had captured something wild that could not stand being imprisoned. He is elemental, your friend. He is basic. His thoughts are simple, direct thoughts. I believe, although I don’t know him well enough. I am a little afraid that when Zamatev had him captured he bought more than he bargained for. To Zamatev his action was totally impersonal. He captured a man to squeeze information from him, then to cast him aside. To Makatozi his capture was a deadly, personal insult, I believe. Something to be wiped out in blood.”
But isn’t escape from Siberia and Colonel Arkady Zamatev impossible? Many have tried. None have succeeded… yet.
Louis L’Amour was a first-rate story-teller, and he shows the skills of his art here, just as he has in over 80 Western novels.
Not only is this the story of Joe Mack on his wilderness trek pursued by soldiers, trappers, and one excellent tracker with similar abilities, but it is layered with side stories of the Russian people he encounters along the way. It is a pure pleasure to read these stories and varying perspectives that L’Amour weaves into Joe Mack’s pursuit of freedom.
We are reminded of the importance of such qualities as courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and kindness--traits that seem in short supply today.
stephanie6519's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sarabaggins's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
1.5
I forced myself to read the entirety of this book because a family member really wanted me to. I cannot in good conscience recommend it to anyone else, however. This is because of the shocking and horrific racism on every page, as well as the sexism.
darthgrim's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
llkendrick's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! This book reminded me of a Rambo movie (speaking of which I'm told that there's a Rambo book so I'll definitely be checking that out!) and was action packed like the other Louis L'Amour book I read. I'm really liking L'Amour books but haven't decided if I want to read his westerns yet. It seems like a huge commitment since he's written about 500 of them. Anyways, great book and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an action-type book.
dhilderbrand's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Loved this. I get why he sold so many books. Will read more
monkiecat2's review against another edition
My first Louis L'Amour and, I think, my last