A review by mickeymole
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour
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.