“I am Johannes Verne, and I am not afraid.”
This was the boy’s mantra as he plodded through the des...
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reviews
Jul 20, 2011
Jeanette
rated it: 
Take a jaunt through mid-19th-century Southern California with Louis L'Amour. He earned all five stars from this California girl for historical and geographical research and accuracy. The story follows orphan Johannes Verne from age seven through early manhood. He grows up with the territory, and always has to watch his backside because his wealthy Californio grandfather wants him dead. But he is Johannes Verne, and he is not afraid.
There are some minor plot flaws, and the ending f More...
There are some minor plot flaws, and the ending f More...
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Jan 30, 2008
Lucinda
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This book was not just a cowboy, shoot ‘em up story, but if it weren’t an assignment, I don’t know if I would have read it. My sister said it was a book for old men! If you have children that you want to grow up with a strong moral character and the best education they can possibly get, this book is a must read. It is a model for an excellent education. Louis L’Amour makes it clear that history taught in public schools is not accurate, pointing out that Christopher Columbus only “discovered”
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Nov 16, 2008
Alexis
rated it:
I read this book as it was part of the follow-on "assignments" included as part of the epilogue in "A Thomas Jefferson Education." I never would have selected it on my own. It was exceptional, and the ties to "A Thomas Jefferson..." were apparent. An entertaining read, full of wonderful "gems" of wisdom.
The protagonist is well developed, perhaps over developed. The evil that pursues him is absolutely abomiable but also quite reflective of c More...
The protagonist is well developed, perhaps over developed. The evil that pursues him is absolutely abomiable but also quite reflective of c More...
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Nov 17, 2011
Joan
rated it: 
Picked this up in an airport on the way to a Florida weekend and polished it off by the end. It's my fantasy world, the 1850s American West. And no one describes it better than...Zane Grey....and Louis L'Amour. Adventure, risk, nature, the unknown, courage, good and evil, heroism, it's all there. Listen to this:
"Long since, I had learned that one needs moments of quiet, moments of stillness, for both the inner and outer man, a moment of contemplation or even simple emptiness when t More...
"Long since, I had learned that one needs moments of quiet, moments of stillness, for both the inner and outer man, a moment of contemplation or even simple emptiness when t More...
Mar 02, 2010
Natalie
rated it: 
I read The Lonesome Gods because it was recommended in A Thomas Jefferson Education as one of five books to start one’s classic library. The reviews claimed it was Louis L’Amour’s biggest and most important historical novel. That may be true, but it didn’t measure up to the level of classic literature.
The coming-to-manhood of Johannes Verne is reflected in the story’s setting: the mid 1840s, as Los Angeles grows from a sleepy Mexican town to a major West Coast trading center. Yo More...
The coming-to-manhood of Johannes Verne is reflected in the story’s setting: the mid 1840s, as Los Angeles grows from a sleepy Mexican town to a major West Coast trading center. Yo More...
Mar 30, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
This was the first western I've ever read (at least as best I can recall), and probably one of the longer books I've read. I wouldn't have chosen it other than it was the only book the library had of the 5 classics I was looking for suggested from the Thomas Jefferson Education. It was surprisingly good and had many great nuggets of wisdom. Here are my favorite quotes:
115 – Johannes’s dad – “How young is too young to begin to discover the power and the beauty of words? Perhaps he w More...
115 – Johannes’s dad – “How young is too young to begin to discover the power and the beauty of words? Perhaps he w More...
Apr 08, 2009
William
rated it:
Incredible. This book takes you right into the heart of the desert, over the mountains and up to the sea. The way L'amour writes, you can almost feel the sun on your face, the sense the breeze whispering through the trees and smell the salt in the sea air. His historical and geographical accuracy is almost without question, because he lived it. Read his Education of a Wandering Man and you will understand. One of my favorite quotes, and unfortunately I cannot remember it clearly right now,
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Nov 06, 2008
Jim
rated it:
This is a long book for L'Amour. He spends some time getting philosophical - a boy on his own living in the desert, communing with nature, learning & such. There's a good look at early Los Angeles - well, it sounded good to me. I can't vouch for actual historical accuracy, though. It was interesting, not just a shoot 'em up.
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Apr 30, 2009
Scott
rated it:
I really didn't want to read this--it is the first Western I have ever read, and I had some preconceived notions of what it would be like.
I realy enjoyed it. The most surprising thing about that, to me, is that most of my preconceived notions were accurate--that it would involve cowboy stuff that I knew very little about, that it would involve gunslinging and horseback riding, and clear good guys and bad guys. What was surprising to me was how much I enjoyed this "western" More...
I realy enjoyed it. The most surprising thing about that, to me, is that most of my preconceived notions were accurate--that it would involve cowboy stuff that I knew very little about, that it would involve gunslinging and horseback riding, and clear good guys and bad guys. What was surprising to me was how much I enjoyed this "western" More...
Sep 04, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
This was my first L'Amour book I've ever read and I really appreciated it. I have since listened to 4 books on CD from the Sackett series (Sackett Land, To the Far Blue Mountains, The Daybreakers, The Lonely Men) and I am quickly becoming a BIG Louie L'Amour fan. I've always liked watching oldie-but-goodie western movies and I'm rekindling that love by reading his books.
The Lonesome Gods is a unique L'Amour book - different than his other westerns. It's focus is on the value of More...
The Lonesome Gods is a unique L'Amour book - different than his other westerns. It's focus is on the value of More...
Oct 03, 2011
Janaleefish
rated it:
LOVED this book!!!! Caught my attention right away and then I couldn't stop reading. It was actually an easy book to read a little at a time, there were a lot of breaks within the chapters to throw my bookmark in and put it down for a minute. However, it was hard to do in the last half bacause of all the gunfights and foot chases!!! WooWee!!! Man this was a fun book! And I love the message it shares about how reading good books is sooooo important. Not just reading for entertainment, but rea
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Feb 08, 2012
Kris
rated it:
I'm kind of ridiculously impressed. I was not expecting literary awesomeness from a guy whose novels were the only books available in grocery stores in the 90s.
The story revolves around Johannes Verne, who is 6 when the story begins. I wasn't expecting a kid to be the main character! And, there are horses. That, I was expecting. It is a western, after all. The only western I've read, but I can see why they were so popular back in the day. I kinda want to go be a vaquero now and More...
The story revolves around Johannes Verne, who is 6 when the story begins. I wasn't expecting a kid to be the main character! And, there are horses. That, I was expecting. It is a western, after all. The only western I've read, but I can see why they were so popular back in the day. I kinda want to go be a vaquero now and More...
Mar 20, 2010
Laura
rated it:
I don't usually pick up Westerns. In fact, I try to avoid them. But this book was REALLY great! It deserves a space on my bookshelves!
This book follows the story of Johannes, a 6 year old boy who is left in the desert to die by the grandfather who hates him. He is partially raised by Indians, and self-educated by the classic books left for him by a mysterious benefactor. Johannes loves the desert, and feels an affinity for the "Lonesome Gods", or the ancient people who More...
This book follows the story of Johannes, a 6 year old boy who is left in the desert to die by the grandfather who hates him. He is partially raised by Indians, and self-educated by the classic books left for him by a mysterious benefactor. Johannes loves the desert, and feels an affinity for the "Lonesome Gods", or the ancient people who More...
Dec 04, 2008
Shauri
rated it:
I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed this book. The characters had a depth that endeared me to them, and dared me to be more courageous in my own life. On a personal note, I related intimately with the surroundings portrayed. I was not only raised in the Arizona desert, but worked "on the trail" teaching wilderness survival for a week at a time as a young adult. Some of my fondest memories took place in the dry untamed desert that seemed to be able to snuff out life for all who d
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Nov 21, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
Content - The story is an interesting one. The characters are engaging and there are a few that are not run of the mill L'Amour characters. It's not one of his typical westerns.
Mechanics - Lot's of over-writing. L'Amour typically did very little revising which works for most of his stories but this book really needed it. It is philosophical and repetitive. I have no objection to books waxing philosophical but the philosophies are repeated so often it gets tiresome and encumbers the plo More...
Mechanics - Lot's of over-writing. L'Amour typically did very little revising which works for most of his stories but this book really needed it. It is philosophical and repetitive. I have no objection to books waxing philosophical but the philosophies are repeated so often it gets tiresome and encumbers the plo More...
Jun 24, 2010
Londa
rated it:
July 2010 book club selection: Ali Watford.
It is SO HARD to rate a Louis L'Amour novel! Twenty years ago I read every word that he had published. His characters are strong, but not too finely drawn. His locations are exquisite. This book is more sweeping in scope than some of his formula westerns, but there are still certain "production-line" qualities that keep it from being top-notch. One of the minor irritants is that L'Amour plagiarizes from himself so frequently, and habit More...
It is SO HARD to rate a Louis L'Amour novel! Twenty years ago I read every word that he had published. His characters are strong, but not too finely drawn. His locations are exquisite. This book is more sweeping in scope than some of his formula westerns, but there are still certain "production-line" qualities that keep it from being top-notch. One of the minor irritants is that L'Amour plagiarizes from himself so frequently, and habit More...
Jan 19, 2012
Mary Jane
rated it:
This was our January 2012 bookclub book. I had never read a Louis L'Amour book, even though I gifted many on my father in my lifetime. I LOVED IT. I could only give it 4 stars, because I feel like he has so many books out there, that I couldn't give it more. I want to read more of his books for sure. I thought a lot about that country type of life. My father grew up as a cowboy in the desert and it made me think a lot about him. The heros are good heros who grow and develop into strong ch
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Mar 11, 2010
Beth A.
rated it:
I have never been a big western fan, so I kind of had low expectations when I started this book. I tried a few Louis L’amour books in high school and was unimpressed. (Suddenly, that seems like a long time ago.) Although I did love Firefly. Do space westerns count?
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised as I read this book. It started with an interesting premise, and jumped right in to a few well rounded and dynamic characters. The story was interesting, with lots of setbacks, and challe More...
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised as I read this book. It started with an interesting premise, and jumped right in to a few well rounded and dynamic characters. The story was interesting, with lots of setbacks, and challe More...
Jun 07, 2010
Katie
rated it:
As a mother of a recently turned 7 year old boy, I had a hard time with the first part of this book. I understand that life was different back in the 1840s, but the things that 6 year old boy went through and saw....well, it was hard for me.
That said, this really was an interesting book. I loved reading about the early days of Los Angeles and about the life of the people there, whether it was all fiction or not, it was interesting.
"The Lonesome Gods" follows th More...
That said, this really was an interesting book. I loved reading about the early days of Los Angeles and about the life of the people there, whether it was all fiction or not, it was interesting.
"The Lonesome Gods" follows th More...
Aug 01, 2009
Greg
rated it:
The Lonesome Gods is another gripping historical novel written by Louis L'Amour, adventure set in the early days of California. Johannes Verne is a young man left to die and then rescued by outlaws and raised (partly) by the indigenous people of the California desert.
The novel follows Verne as he exercises his desert-born skills and growing knowledge and intellect to live within the constraints of the desert and claim a piece of the burgeoning economic opportunity of early Los Angel More...
The novel follows Verne as he exercises his desert-born skills and growing knowledge and intellect to live within the constraints of the desert and claim a piece of the burgeoning economic opportunity of early Los Angel More...
Jan 29, 2012
Kirt
rated it:
I really liked the story and the characters. Louis L'Amour always has people of high integrity and moral character in his books. I give the story an A+.
I was a little confused by all the mysticism surrounding the Indians. The book after all is titled "The Lonesome Gods" speaking of the old Indian gods. There is quite a bit of talk about it and twice the main character sees an old Indian that we as readers must assume is one of the "Old Ones". But I don't see how i More...
I was a little confused by all the mysticism surrounding the Indians. The book after all is titled "The Lonesome Gods" speaking of the old Indian gods. There is quite a bit of talk about it and twice the main character sees an old Indian that we as readers must assume is one of the "Old Ones". But I don't see how i More...
Feb 27, 2009
Erin
rated it: 
This was my first foray into "The cowboy/adventure" novel. My husband had read something else by him and said it was just "pulp", but I had been recommended this book on lists of "classics". This book has a story which is really intriguing, but it feels as though the author had a specific person in mind when he began this book, someone he was trying to encourage to get an education or at least figure out what they were going to do with their life. Maybe it was inten
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Nov 20, 2008
Leslie
rated it:
I feel like I got an education from this book. I found some very profound quotes. Who ever thought that a western book could be so profound and spiritual? You will know what I mean by the following quotes:
"...all education is self-education. A teacher is only a guide, to point out the way, and no school, no matter how excellent, can give you an education." (I whole heartedly believe this. Education is the doorway to greatness but only when the student is ready. I hop More...
"...all education is self-education. A teacher is only a guide, to point out the way, and no school, no matter how excellent, can give you an education." (I whole heartedly believe this. Education is the doorway to greatness but only when the student is ready. I hop More...
Feb 02, 2010
Cindi
rated it:
This was an entertaining, yet educational book to read. I was inspired by descriptions of the desert and the main character, Johannes (or Hannes) was drawn to the desert, knowing there was something out there for him. It reminds me of the way I feel about Lake Superior and the U.P.
L'Amour spends a fair amount of time talking about the indigenous people of the area, Native Americans. His writing teaches tolerance for ways we don't understand, including their spirituality. One frus More...
L'Amour spends a fair amount of time talking about the indigenous people of the area, Native Americans. His writing teaches tolerance for ways we don't understand, including their spirituality. One frus More...
Aug 16, 2008
Carolyn
rated it:
Who knew I'd finally read a Louis L'Amour book? I have studiously ignored them because they were westerns. I have not been a fan of cowboy media.
My book club reviewed it this month. This book was touted as Louis' best one and I must agree that it was a wonderful read. I was impressed with the novelty of the plot - the intriguing idea that a 9 year old could survive in the desert with skills taught to him by his dying father who had a good reputation for honesty, integrity, and qu More...
My book club reviewed it this month. This book was touted as Louis' best one and I must agree that it was a wonderful read. I was impressed with the novelty of the plot - the intriguing idea that a 9 year old could survive in the desert with skills taught to him by his dying father who had a good reputation for honesty, integrity, and qu More...
Nov 17, 2008
Deanna
rated it:
Ahhh! I love Louis L'Amour books. I'm glad I had to reread this one again for a book club. It is one of my favorites.
There are many reasons that I enjoy his books. In this book I was drawn into the main characters and I feel their feelings. I feel that they are developed. I understand them...
I also love that the main character is always very well read. In every L'Amour books there's a list of at least 10 great classics (ancienct classics) that the hero has read. Th More...
There are many reasons that I enjoy his books. In this book I was drawn into the main characters and I feel their feelings. I feel that they are developed. I understand them...
I also love that the main character is always very well read. In every L'Amour books there's a list of at least 10 great classics (ancienct classics) that the hero has read. Th More...
May 13, 2008
Franklin
rated it:
Let me state for the record that I very much enjoyed reading this book. There is a lot of majesty that the author has regarding the desert and the old west and it comes ringing through the pages of the book. I also became very attached to the main character Johannes Verne who's life we get to follow from age six to about 18 or 20. There were several wonderful characters in the book all of which I thought were beautifully portrayed although they did seem a bit 'larger than life' at times.
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Nov 15, 2008
Jeff
rated it:
Ah, Louis L’Amour! Sometimes you just need a book where you know who the bad guys are and who are the good guys. L’Amour offers that and also a very good story. I haven’t read a L’Amour book since I was a teenager and it had all the things I remembered; the beauty of the land, the struggle of good versus evil, man romance (meaning very little, but present and intense), and of course horses and gun battles. This book did take a little bit to get into and was a little choppy in the telling. A
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Sep 12, 2009
Courtney
rated it:
I liked the story and characters. The novel was engaging from the very beginning and held my interest throughout. Several twists that I didn't expect which is nice, since I hate predictable story lines. There were also lots of historical insights into life in early California. A little too much violence (though not gratuitous)for my liking. It is a western, so I should have expected it, but I think it is the first western I have ever read.
Apr 21, 2009
Tyler
rated it:
I know, it's hard to keep straight which Louis L'Amour book is which. This is the one about early Los Angeles, with the main character being a young boy whose father is hunted and finally killed by the boy's disapproving grandfather. The boy grows up to be an expert at surviving in the desert, and in the process feels a kinship with all the "lonesome gods" of the ancient desert peoples who once were worshiped and are now forgotten.
