Rye Tyler was twelve when his father was killed in an Indian raid. Taken in by a mysterious stranger with a taste for books and an instinct for sur...
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reviews
Mar 08, 2009
Ryan
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My dad loves all his books and I read over a hundred while staving off the night terrors when growing up.
It is a strange fact about the old west, Indians, and the genocidal take over of the land now called the United States that fiction writing about them is often taken for truth (see Ward Churchill's Fantasies of the Master Race). The back of almost every L'amour novel lauds his knowledge of "how it really was" and the fact that he could've been one of the tough, honorable More...
It is a strange fact about the old west, Indians, and the genocidal take over of the land now called the United States that fiction writing about them is often taken for truth (see Ward Churchill's Fantasies of the Master Race). The back of almost every L'amour novel lauds his knowledge of "how it really was" and the fact that he could've been one of the tough, honorable More...
Sep 15, 2010
Kani
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this is tough to listen to if you are touchy about political correctness toward native americans and mexican americans because if you are: look out, you're going to spend several chapters in agonized frustration! Louis has no problem with the toughness of his characters and our hero (for hero he is, surviving being orphaned by Injuns & taming the west practically single handedly as he grows up) talks plain and shoots straight (and fast too!) but he doesn't consider having "killed a man"
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Jan 21, 2010
Robert
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I love L'Amour westerns, always have, and I am currently re-reading them in order. This book, the eighth one, has a completely different feel than the first seven as it is written in a first person perspective. It is the story of a young man, stating when he sets off on his own after the death of his father when he is 12 years of age. I don't think it reads as well as the other L'Amour books, due to the perspective, but it does make a nice change of pace and it is very interesting to read.
Aug 24, 2011
Bruce
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I am in the process of reading all of Louis L'Amour's novels. I really liked this one. It was more epic in scope, covering a number of years of the Old West and the territory from Texas to California. As with all of L'Amour's novels, this had a great hero, lots of action, and moments of pure education of the history of the Old West. Highly recommend it to those who like the genre and like the history of the Old West.
Mar 03, 2010
Gloria
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Given that I own a zillion Louis L'Amour books (a collection begun in jr. high), I figured I should add my favorites here.
To Tame a Land is, hands down, my favorite. Admittedly, many of the plot lines in his books are similar (they're westerns-- what do you expect?), but I loved ALL the characters in this one.
And I still think this is begging to be adapted for film.
To Tame a Land is, hands down, my favorite. Admittedly, many of the plot lines in his books are similar (they're westerns-- what do you expect?), but I loved ALL the characters in this one.
And I still think this is begging to be adapted for film.
Apr 13, 2010
Kami
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I found a Louis L'Amour at my dad's which I hadn't read, so I read it on the drive back to my house. It was a typical Louis L'Amour, guy is good with gun, rescues girl, kills bad guy, etc. Fun for the drive but nothing I could remember without going and reading the back again just now.
Dec 30, 2008
Randy
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First L'Amour novel I've read in years. I liked this one as it showed the development of Rye Tyler from a young boy watching his father killed by Indians to his final encounter with an old acquaintance to rescue a young woman he'd loved since they were young.
Feb 18, 2010
Agnitio
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Rye a young man grows up fast in times of struggle, suffering from a great loss. Set in days of the wild frontier. Rye happens always to do the right thing in any situation. A short story but always enthralling throughout the journey. Never a slow moment in the story. 090109
Dec 08, 2008
Eric
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I enjoyed this book way more than I thought possible. There is a certain amount of Western Legend that is ingrained in all American boys since they were little. Hearing this book reawakened those Legends and aroused a hunger that had long remained dormant.
May 14, 2009
Rod
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A great shoot em up western story. Probably the best I've ever come across so far. A reluctant gunslinger blows away every bit of evil in his path for love and prosperity.
Nov 06, 2011
Bobbi
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Another solid hit from L'Amour! Although I did the ending coming, the story was beautiful. It's always a great ride with L'Amour anytime I open up another book of his.
Sep 20, 2011
Heather
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Loved this book. Even though I like romance in my books, the action in this book and the fact that the hero was so bada** quickly made up for it.
May 27, 2010
Thomas
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OK, so I am a sucker for this stuff. Forgive me. I grew up in north Texas. 1955. Actually has the line: "A man has to do what a man has to do."
Aug 03, 2009
Melissa
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We listened to this book on tape as we drove down to Lake Powell. It was really good!
Apr 13, 2009
Amileah
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Great story!
Full of courage, action, drama, and romance. You'll be crying at the end.
Full of courage, action, drama, and romance. You'll be crying at the end.
Aug 04, 2009
Dennis
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This is one of my favorite westers of all time. I have read it many times.
Dec 23, 2011
Aaron
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Books written in the first person are nice when you get the audio version.
Nov 16, 2008
Laura
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If you just want to see what L'amour is like, this is the best I've heard to date, outside of the books in the Sackett series. L'amour is best when he's covering a long period of time, and this book spans several years. The pacing is good, and I wasn't left feeling like it ended super-abruptly. I liked the both lead character and his girl. One recommendation: don't read the back cover. Some people can be really stupid about spoilers, and sometimes you don't even realize that what you are reading
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May 20, 2011
Gaylene
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I'm not sure what to rate this. I told my brother in law I've read nearly every genre except cowboy books. He grabbed one he had on hand, and told me to try it, with a warning, "It's not very deep, it's just a good story."
So, surprisingly, I enjoyed it. L'Amour is a good story teller, and I'm glad I read it, but I don't think this is my genre and I'll probably never read another :)
So, surprisingly, I enjoyed it. L'Amour is a good story teller, and I'm glad I read it, but I don't think this is my genre and I'll probably never read another :)
Feb 17, 2010
Alice
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Westerns are just as formulaic as romances, but in some ways I like them better. It's fun to have background that is unrelated to the boy-girl storyline. I guess if I were more highbrow, I wouldn't like formulaic literature at all...
Jul 26, 2010
Charles
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This is my favorite L'Amour book. I reread it periodically. I think it's nearly a perfect example of the western genre.
Jun 04, 2008
Elizabeth
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This one is so good! I think this is one of my favorite ones too! it is kind of sad though... I almost cried....
