Frontier

by Louis L'Amour, David Muench (Photographer)

Louis L'Amour has built his unmatched worldwide popularity largely through his ability to make the American frontier experience come alive in more than 200 novels and short stories. Now, in response to numerous requests, L'Amour has written Frontier, his first work of nonfiction, a unique opportunity for readers to follow him on a personally guided tour across the broad sweep of the North American continent.

Genres: Westerns, Nonfiction, Travel, Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Louis Dearborn L'Amour was an American novelist and short story writer. His books consisted primarily of Western novels, though he called his work "frontier stories". His most widely known Western fiction works include Last of the Breed, Hondo, Shalako, and the Sackett series. L'Amour also wrote historical fiction (The Walking Drum), science fiction (The Haunted Mesa), non-fiction (Frontier), and poetry and short-story collections. Many of his stories were made into films. His books remain popular and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death, almost all of his 105 existing works (89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two full-length works of nonfiction) were still in print, and he was "one of the world's most popular writers".

Reviews

[Willow Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love most all Louis L'Amour books and this one was no different. Although Frontier, rather than being a story, was more like an account of Louis L'Amour's knowledge of various places across the US. And boy did he have a lot of knowledge. From deserts to mountains to forests to rivers and everything in between, you name it and he's been there.

One of the main reasons I love his books so much is because every time I read one, I feel as though I've learned something new about the land. This book was extra special in that regard because not only was I able to gain knowledge, but I was able to see through absolutely stunning pictures what the places he writes about look like.

Louis L'Amour has lived the lives of every character he writes about, and that's what makes his stories come to life.

[Pj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful 'coffee table' book with gorgeous photos by David Muench of this land across America. Louis L'Amour's love for the land was apparent in his novels-this book encapsulated that. Lightly he referred to many of those books, but not too heavily that it would take away from the notion of FRONTIER. Other than being lost in the beautiful photos, I took away WHY I love reading LL books!!! That sense of bond with nature..that sense of, shall we say, LOST in the uncontrollable control that 'the land' can (and will) ultimately have on humans. It's not so much a conquering the land and space around you, but a respect one must have coexisting with it.

One line in the book did it for me: '"I wasn't alone," I said, "I had a mountain with me."'

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative but the dimensions of the book is too big. I like the content. It was combination of history and landscape description. I also love how the author divided the chapter. It has theme like pioneer, long hunter, maine, the forest, the Mississippi, etc.

[Russ Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art work. A helpful narrative of a life as an author who is deeply in love with the places and people he writes about. Clear text shared in short enough chapters to enjoy in the evening, accompanied by a good cup of coffee (or tea). It's a keeper for my library's oversized shelf.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best 3 dollars that I ever spent. Picking up this wonderful series of essays at a used book store.
It was an honor and pleasure to be able to read the interesting history of discovering America from L'Amours knowledge and experience. Although I have hiked some of the locations in the book, the descriptions along with Muench's photographs make you want to visit each location.
"Nobody knows the wild country. No matter how long one lives in it and with it one is forever learning, and there is always much to see and hear. Nor are any two places the same"

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays dealing with history and L'Amour's concept of the "frontier" in America.

[Peter Charleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable