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Bendigo Shafter
At what point does a group of strangers become a community? When young Bendigo Shafter and a ragtag bunch of travelers settle in the rugged Wyoming mountains, they quickly come to depend on a toughness and wisdom many of them never knew they possessed. Led by the beautiful and resourceful widow Ruth Macken, the settlers battle harsh winters, renegade opportunists, and the destructive lure of gold. Through these brutally demanding experiences, young Bendigo is forged into a man. But when he travels to New York to reclaim the love of Ninon, his childhood sweetheart, Bendigo is faced with new challenges. Will hard-edged instincts, honed from years in the mountains, serve him in the big city? Does Ninon’s heart belong to the lights and glamour of the theater? And if his destiny deems it so, will he be willing to leave the community he toiled so long and hard to build?
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1979
931 people are currently reading
1739 people want to read
About the author
Louis L'Amour
996 books3,478 followersLouis 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".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
August 14, 2012
The title character is one of the best male role models in literature. He's the type of man you want to raise your son to be. He's not perfect, he's just an extremely believable rendition of a person that survived & even thrived during white people's exploration/settlement of the American West. When we're introduced to him, he's a young adult, physically strong through years of toil, used to being responsible for others' welfare, and skilled with weapons as was necessary for those who hunted game for survival and/or dealt with hostiles of the time period.
His physical development complete, the narrative focuses on events shaping him mentally, his life experiences forging him into the formidable man he becomes. Being told in first person, the story doesn't make him an idealized caricature, just a man responding to his life course and making adjustments as events necessitate. The dangerous tasks he undertakes, the family and friends who mold his thoughts & ideals, and the unexpected trials he faces all culminate in him becoming a realistic hero.
Bendigo Shafter's blessed with a curiosity for ideas; he's a thoughtful reader as well as a man of action. In a world where people often devote themselves to learning or doing, viewing these choices as mutually exclusive, he makes good use of both, and prospers because of it. His success is all the more alluring because of its accessibility. It doesn't inspire you to try to be him, but to be the best version of yourself, a timeless notion that should resonate with most people.
His physical development complete, the narrative focuses on events shaping him mentally, his life experiences forging him into the formidable man he becomes. Being told in first person, the story doesn't make him an idealized caricature, just a man responding to his life course and making adjustments as events necessitate. The dangerous tasks he undertakes, the family and friends who mold his thoughts & ideals, and the unexpected trials he faces all culminate in him becoming a realistic hero.
Bendigo Shafter's blessed with a curiosity for ideas; he's a thoughtful reader as well as a man of action. In a world where people often devote themselves to learning or doing, viewing these choices as mutually exclusive, he makes good use of both, and prospers because of it. His success is all the more alluring because of its accessibility. It doesn't inspire you to try to be him, but to be the best version of yourself, a timeless notion that should resonate with most people.
December 28, 2015
Not your typical good guy vs bad buy shoot 'em up western from L'Amour. This is a little more thoughtful & told in the first person, from our hero's POV. Bendigo journey's west with his older brother & his family. They set up a new town in the wilderness. L'Amour hits some of the high points of what that entails & makes you think a bit about how hard it was for them.
Bendigo is a little to good to be true (typical hero) but it's a fun read. There's plenty of action, but not a lot of slap-leather, get-out-of-town-by-noon stuff. Hunting for lost people in the snow, hunting for food, keeping out some riff-raff & even a glimpse of NYC during that time.
The only downside to the book is the philosophizing that Bendigo constantly shares with us. It actually wasn't bad reading as a teenager since it is idealistic & appealed to me at the time. Now, it's a little too trite & too much. Still, a very good book.
Bendigo is a little to good to be true (typical hero) but it's a fun read. There's plenty of action, but not a lot of slap-leather, get-out-of-town-by-noon stuff. Hunting for lost people in the snow, hunting for food, keeping out some riff-raff & even a glimpse of NYC during that time.
The only downside to the book is the philosophizing that Bendigo constantly shares with us. It actually wasn't bad reading as a teenager since it is idealistic & appealed to me at the time. Now, it's a little too trite & too much. Still, a very good book.
January 7, 2022
A small group of westward-bound pioneers, making their way to what they hope will be a better life, find themselves running out of time. It’s too close to winter to make it over the mountains so they decide to stop and build a small town of sorts, just some place to survive until the warmer weather of spring would arrive once again. They were seven men and thirteen women and children, among them a young man of eighteen by the name of Bendigo Shafter.
Louis L’Amour, the best-selling western author of all time offers up one of his most beloved tales. This is not a traditional western novel crammed full of gunfights, cattle rustling, town taming and the like, although all those things do occur in this book. Rather, this is more of a historical fiction novel, a “frontier” story depicting the harsh conditions and challenges under which a community is carved out. Ben “Bendigo” Shafter is the ideal man to face the situations that arise, wise beyond his years but always seeking out new knowledge. In the midst of becoming a leader of the town, he wonders what his future holds, as well as what the future of the town may be.
I’ve read most of Louis L’Amour’s body of work and would rank this one in the top five. Given his prolific output, that’s really saying something. I always like a good frontier yarn filled with mountain men, rough characters, and the ever-present threat of an Indian uprising. I really enjoyed the character of Bendigo Shafter and his approach to life, especially his penchant for reading whatever books he could get his hands on in order to improve himself. Having read L’Amour’s autobiography, I know that is a trait shared by both author and character. Indeed, there is quite a bit of the author’s background that infuses Bendigo, including his extensive travels during his formative years. Several other characters provide a well-balanced “family” for Bendigo, including a fellow by the name of Ethan Sackett. Putting a Sackett in a L’Amour novel is always a wise decision. But in the end, it is the town itself that ties the events of the novel together. That feeling of building something with your own hands infuses the narrative, and to then see it grow and prosper is very fulfilling. Plenty of pitfalls occur, mistakes made, and obstacles overcome, all towards a brighter future.
This is L’Amour at his best. It’s a novel of hope, destiny, and an unerring sense that change is the only constant in our lives.
Highly recommended.
Louis L’Amour, the best-selling western author of all time offers up one of his most beloved tales. This is not a traditional western novel crammed full of gunfights, cattle rustling, town taming and the like, although all those things do occur in this book. Rather, this is more of a historical fiction novel, a “frontier” story depicting the harsh conditions and challenges under which a community is carved out. Ben “Bendigo” Shafter is the ideal man to face the situations that arise, wise beyond his years but always seeking out new knowledge. In the midst of becoming a leader of the town, he wonders what his future holds, as well as what the future of the town may be.
I’ve read most of Louis L’Amour’s body of work and would rank this one in the top five. Given his prolific output, that’s really saying something. I always like a good frontier yarn filled with mountain men, rough characters, and the ever-present threat of an Indian uprising. I really enjoyed the character of Bendigo Shafter and his approach to life, especially his penchant for reading whatever books he could get his hands on in order to improve himself. Having read L’Amour’s autobiography, I know that is a trait shared by both author and character. Indeed, there is quite a bit of the author’s background that infuses Bendigo, including his extensive travels during his formative years. Several other characters provide a well-balanced “family” for Bendigo, including a fellow by the name of Ethan Sackett. Putting a Sackett in a L’Amour novel is always a wise decision. But in the end, it is the town itself that ties the events of the novel together. That feeling of building something with your own hands infuses the narrative, and to then see it grow and prosper is very fulfilling. Plenty of pitfalls occur, mistakes made, and obstacles overcome, all towards a brighter future.
This is L’Amour at his best. It’s a novel of hope, destiny, and an unerring sense that change is the only constant in our lives.
Highly recommended.
February 20, 2019
Funny, I had to add an new shelf for "Westerns". This is not the first Western novel I have read; however, it is definitely not my genre of choice. Nostalgically I was drawn to this novel. A dear friend had engulfed all of the Louis L'Amour books during her lifetime, and I did feel her leaning over my shoulder giggling as I was reading this. Our oldest son also loves Louis L'Amour.
The author definitely has a storyteller's skill and I can see where these two important people in my life have been drawn to read his novels. I found this novel entertaining but long. The balance between action and philosophy became unbalanced for me with the philosophy becoming the dominant theme. Louis L'Amour was definitely well read and it is not that I disagree with his "preaching". It just made the novel choppy and not authentic for my taste. I still had fun reading it, and I particularly was grateful for the many memories that invaded my thoughts regarding my deceased friend.
The author definitely has a storyteller's skill and I can see where these two important people in my life have been drawn to read his novels. I found this novel entertaining but long. The balance between action and philosophy became unbalanced for me with the philosophy becoming the dominant theme. Louis L'Amour was definitely well read and it is not that I disagree with his "preaching". It just made the novel choppy and not authentic for my taste. I still had fun reading it, and I particularly was grateful for the many memories that invaded my thoughts regarding my deceased friend.
March 16, 2023
There was just something about this story that made me love it. There was action, but it wasn’t all the time and it wasn’t too intense. There were wonderful pages of dialogue and the descriptions of places made me want to head west.
I loved so many characters! Bendigo was the kind of man who grew from a boy to a man because he had to. And Cain had my respect from the first. I liked Ethan and his skill and ability to track, hunt, and notice things others wouldn’t. Ruth Macken was so wise and kind and yet no one would consider her weak.
And then there were others that I wasn’t sure of at first, but Bendigo made me like them because he found the best in them and seemed to expect you to as well.
Several times I had to smile or chuckle over events. Central Park at night? Only someone like Ben could have done that.
This was a story that made me sigh when it was over because it was over. I would have kept reading, only the story ended in a good place.
There were a few mentions of the Lord’s name in vain, and several people swearing, but all that could be whited out.
I loved so many characters! Bendigo was the kind of man who grew from a boy to a man because he had to. And Cain had my respect from the first. I liked Ethan and his skill and ability to track, hunt, and notice things others wouldn’t. Ruth Macken was so wise and kind and yet no one would consider her weak.
And then there were others that I wasn’t sure of at first, but Bendigo made me like them because he found the best in them and seemed to expect you to as well.
Several times I had to smile or chuckle over events. Central Park at night? Only someone like Ben could have done that.
This was a story that made me sigh when it was over because it was over. I would have kept reading, only the story ended in a good place.
There were a few mentions of the Lord’s name in vain, and several people swearing, but all that could be whited out.
April 29, 2020
At what point does a group of strangers become a community? When young Bendigo Shafter and a ragtag bunch of travelers settle in the rugged Wyoming mountains, they quickly come to depend on a toughness and wisdom many of them never knew they possessed. Led by the beautiful and resourceful widow Ruth Macken, the settlers battle harsh winters, renegade opportunists, and the destructive lure of gold. Through these brutally demanding experiences, young Bendigo is forged into a man. But when he travels to New York to reclaim the love of Ninon, the girl he saved years ago from a certain death in the middle of a freezing night in a winter, Bendigo is faced with new challenges. Will hard-edged instincts, honed from years in the mountains, serve him in the big city? Does Ninon’s heart belong to the lights and glamour of the theater? And if his destiny deems it so, will he be willing to leave the community he toiled so long and hard to build?
********
Very drawn out and a rather tedious read that spans over few years in a life of early settler to the west - among them a young man named Bendigo.
It starts in late fall when they stop in a valley completely uninhabited so he recalls how they have to build their village/town from scratch and the perils they had to go through from Indian raids, fighting the outlaw gangs to the harsh weather of winter.
The settlers are not on the same page as to how to govern, protect and expand their settlement, often fighting among themselves for control and power.
In parts it was a great window into the early life of western settlers and what they had to go through to establish not just themselves but towns and cities during times where they had no one else to rely on but themselves and their closest people.
It was quite drawn out and Louis L’Amour goes into a rather lengthy philosophical studies of what he thought about the west, the Indians, the life on the prairie etc. which had nothing to do with the story and became rather frustrating than uplifting or enlightening.
He is all over the place in few places within the book, not sure which was his main character should go, which is rather unfortunate.
The end is hasty and abrupt, as is with many of his books. There is not slow ending to the story, not real conclusion just a fast and abrupt halt that still takes me rather aback every time I read his books. But alas, nothing that can be done about that.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend it - there are much better books about the frontier and the west than this one.
********
Very drawn out and a rather tedious read that spans over few years in a life of early settler to the west - among them a young man named Bendigo.
It starts in late fall when they stop in a valley completely uninhabited so he recalls how they have to build their village/town from scratch and the perils they had to go through from Indian raids, fighting the outlaw gangs to the harsh weather of winter.
The settlers are not on the same page as to how to govern, protect and expand their settlement, often fighting among themselves for control and power.
In parts it was a great window into the early life of western settlers and what they had to go through to establish not just themselves but towns and cities during times where they had no one else to rely on but themselves and their closest people.
It was quite drawn out and Louis L’Amour goes into a rather lengthy philosophical studies of what he thought about the west, the Indians, the life on the prairie etc. which had nothing to do with the story and became rather frustrating than uplifting or enlightening.
He is all over the place in few places within the book, not sure which was his main character should go, which is rather unfortunate.
The end is hasty and abrupt, as is with many of his books. There is not slow ending to the story, not real conclusion just a fast and abrupt halt that still takes me rather aback every time I read his books. But alas, nothing that can be done about that.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend it - there are much better books about the frontier and the west than this one.
June 4, 2025
Will and Phil were right: a dang good Louis L’amour book. Such a great insight as to how Americans settled the West, and the challenges they faced. Boys becoming men, and learning to take on the world. I told Matthew he has to read this book next lol.
June 8, 2020
The terminator in western form. Nothing he can’t do.
Beat off grizzly bears with a stick... no problem!
Beat off grizzly bears with a stick... no problem!
December 12, 2024
My 18th birthday is approaching, and people are constantly congratulating me on adulthood. I appreciate the sentiment, but I disagree with the idea of a "legal adult."
It reminds me of a scene from Bendigo Shafter where the small town is making a crucial decision. Bendigo, around 18 years old, begins to cast his vote but is stopped by a few settlers protesting against his youth.
Bendigo's response is simple and effective. "I do a man's work. I'll cast a man's vote."
This is similar to that one L'Amour quote slipped into nearly all his books that goes along the lines of, "A man is determined not by his age, but by the responsibility he can bear."
L'Amour's standard of "manhood" is high, but it's my goal. I can't be given true adulthood—I need to earn it.
It reminds me of a scene from Bendigo Shafter where the small town is making a crucial decision. Bendigo, around 18 years old, begins to cast his vote but is stopped by a few settlers protesting against his youth.
Bendigo's response is simple and effective. "I do a man's work. I'll cast a man's vote."
This is similar to that one L'Amour quote slipped into nearly all his books that goes along the lines of, "A man is determined not by his age, but by the responsibility he can bear."
L'Amour's standard of "manhood" is high, but it's my goal. I can't be given true adulthood—I need to earn it.
July 17, 2015
I loved this book so much! I am having a hard time even writing a worthy review. I will come back to this book at some time. This is a book I would love for my boys to read. A great book on becoming a man.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"To destroy is easy, to build is hard. To scoff is also easy, but to go on in the face of scoffing and to do what is right is the way of a man."
"I had been given certain flesh and certain brains susceptible of shaping, and the shaping was mine to do.....the shaping was in my hands."
"I want my son to learn what he can, but most of all I wish him to be a citizen, to judge issues, to use logic in his thinking, to respect his country and it's people."
" And when the frontiers of our own land are gone, when we have drawn them all into an ordered world, then we must seek other frontiers, the frontiers of the mind beyond which men have not gone, the frontiers that lie out beyond the stars, the frontiers that lie within our own selves, that hold us back from what we would do, what we would achieve."
Some of my favorite quotes:
"To destroy is easy, to build is hard. To scoff is also easy, but to go on in the face of scoffing and to do what is right is the way of a man."
"I had been given certain flesh and certain brains susceptible of shaping, and the shaping was mine to do.....the shaping was in my hands."
"I want my son to learn what he can, but most of all I wish him to be a citizen, to judge issues, to use logic in his thinking, to respect his country and it's people."
" And when the frontiers of our own land are gone, when we have drawn them all into an ordered world, then we must seek other frontiers, the frontiers of the mind beyond which men have not gone, the frontiers that lie out beyond the stars, the frontiers that lie within our own selves, that hold us back from what we would do, what we would achieve."
May 5, 2021
Another great book by Louis L'Amour! I find it fascinating how much historical information is packed into this book (as well as his other books). He is very talented in giving the reader a feel for life in the untamed lands of the "wild west" - the effects of bitter cold and how to primitively survive in it; the urgency of providing meat for a starving town; the constant threat of an Indian attack; the struggle people went through just to survive! While it is a "novel", it could easily be classified as "historical fiction."
I enjoyed the story line of this book. While some parts were predictable, most parts were not. I wasn't crazy about the ending and personally, being a woman, I wished it had more of an emphasis on Bendigo's future and his girl. However, I realize that that was not the focus of the book and thus, I believe it ended appropriately.
The edition that I read is part of the "Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures" series and therefore included a short story, War Party; some personal notes by L'Amour on his book; and a note by Beau L'Amour.
I enjoyed the story line of this book. While some parts were predictable, most parts were not. I wasn't crazy about the ending and personally, being a woman, I wished it had more of an emphasis on Bendigo's future and his girl. However, I realize that that was not the focus of the book and thus, I believe it ended appropriately.
The edition that I read is part of the "Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures" series and therefore included a short story, War Party; some personal notes by L'Amour on his book; and a note by Beau L'Amour.
July 16, 2015
A great novel on the power of various types of teachers: nature, neighbors and books.
June 29, 2022
So many great quotes about being a man! I’m urging all four of my guys to read this! Here are some…
“To destroy is easy, to build is hard. To scoff is also easy, but to go on in the face of scoffing and to do what is right is the way of a man.”
“It is the willingness to accept responsibility, I think, that is the measure of a man.”
“I think we must beware not to stray too far from the hands of the craftsmen, the hands that weave, the hands that sew, the hands that weld and mold, for I think whatever man makes must carry pride in its making or we have lost much, too much.”
I really enjoyed this book, I couldn’t put it down today. I thought the ending was beautiful.
“To destroy is easy, to build is hard. To scoff is also easy, but to go on in the face of scoffing and to do what is right is the way of a man.”
“It is the willingness to accept responsibility, I think, that is the measure of a man.”
“I think we must beware not to stray too far from the hands of the craftsmen, the hands that weave, the hands that sew, the hands that weld and mold, for I think whatever man makes must carry pride in its making or we have lost much, too much.”
I really enjoyed this book, I couldn’t put it down today. I thought the ending was beautiful.
August 5, 2019
What an incredible book. Beautifully written and leaves one with much to think about.
Read
June 29, 2024One of my new favorite lamour books. Possibly a book every young man should read as he figures out and decides who he is.
September 30, 2024
better storyline than other l’amour books i’ve read. wholesome AND a little romantic. big fan of bendigo shafter
October 3, 2015
I enjoyed this book by Louis L'Amour thoroughly. It is ranked up in the top 5 of his books that I like. My favorite being the original 3 Sackett books, followed by Walking Drum and The Lonesome Gods.
I still find many of the characters "too good to be true". I doubt anybody was really as lucky or as true a shot as these characters seem to be, but they do make for good stories. I enjoy many of the insights into pioneer life being descendant from pioneer stock myself. My favorite part of this book is that the community in it's conception, while not exactly planned, is a complete group effort while each person individually owns and operates their homestead. That is how I envision America should be in general.
I highly recommend this book as a good, clean read. Perfect for a family read aloud book. Highly engaging for young boys and men, with some for the women folks too.
I still find many of the characters "too good to be true". I doubt anybody was really as lucky or as true a shot as these characters seem to be, but they do make for good stories. I enjoy many of the insights into pioneer life being descendant from pioneer stock myself. My favorite part of this book is that the community in it's conception, while not exactly planned, is a complete group effort while each person individually owns and operates their homestead. That is how I envision America should be in general.
I highly recommend this book as a good, clean read. Perfect for a family read aloud book. Highly engaging for young boys and men, with some for the women folks too.
August 1, 2013
Ya, so Ben Shafter is probably a little too good to be true, but the book was very enjoyable nonetheless.
The education model of studying classics with a mentor is very TJEd and was fun to read.
I am totally motivated to lean survival skills, as it was alarming to see how much I don't know. I guess I can find some comfort that I am a master herbalist and know plants.
I enjoyed all the philosophy and common sense and wish it was more widespread now days.
The education model of studying classics with a mentor is very TJEd and was fun to read.
I am totally motivated to lean survival skills, as it was alarming to see how much I don't know. I guess I can find some comfort that I am a master herbalist and know plants.
I enjoyed all the philosophy and common sense and wish it was more widespread now days.
March 27, 2019
Five stars, just like all the others. And just like all the others. That’s why I read them! I'm like Frances with her bread and jam--I always know what I am going to get, and I am always pleased.
The young (I mean super young) love story was a little weird, but I’ll forgive it that because it also contained Louis’ prose at its best. I almost cried.
The young (I mean super young) love story was a little weird, but I’ll forgive it that because it also contained Louis’ prose at its best. I almost cried.
May 8, 2019
This is my 3rd L’Amour, and he hasn’t let me down yet. I very much enjoyed this one.
Speaking of Plutarch’s Lives, “More great men have read this book, Mr. Shafter, than any other unless it be the Bible.”
Speaking of Plutarch’s Lives, “More great men have read this book, Mr. Shafter, than any other unless it be the Bible.”
November 22, 2020
This book was okay. It was a typical Louis L'Amour. You have your hero, in this case Ben Shafter, who is a "simple man" who happens to be good with his fists and gun. Yet he always talks fancy and is able to read anything. He keeps finding books to read that are difficult and he just reads and understands them and yet keeps talking about how stupid he is.
L'Amour knows A LOT about the west in the 1870's. And it's good because it keeps the books accurate, but he crams so much in and he gets too repetitive. This book is about the creation of a town. And yet he keeps talking about it over and over. We watch them create the town, we watch new people come to the town and they explain the creating of the town again, then Ben goes off to visit other places and tells them about how they created a town.
It happens all the time. So while these are good books, they are not great books. I can only read them once in a while.
L'Amour knows A LOT about the west in the 1870's. And it's good because it keeps the books accurate, but he crams so much in and he gets too repetitive. This book is about the creation of a town. And yet he keeps talking about it over and over. We watch them create the town, we watch new people come to the town and they explain the creating of the town again, then Ben goes off to visit other places and tells them about how they created a town.
It happens all the time. So while these are good books, they are not great books. I can only read them once in a while.
November 9, 2017
Mixed feelings on this one. If I didn't know any better I might have said that this was one of L'Amour's earliest books. But it wasn't. It just felt a bit unpolished and lacking in any kind of finesse. I've read a lot about L'Amour's own personal experiences and how he thought a Western man should be portrayed, and this character is exactly that: though oddly told by the character himself in the first person. Bendigo Shafter is 6'2", kind and gentle toward women, a hard worker who takes satisfaction in his labour, who understands the Indian and respects him, who reads Blackstone's Law (and Plutarch etc.), and is a fast, sure shot but never brags about it or gets into a fight if he can avoid it.
Sounds great, yet for me it was lacking that true craftsmanship that would make this a work of art. Enjoyable, just not brilliant.
Sounds great, yet for me it was lacking that true craftsmanship that would make this a work of art. Enjoyable, just not brilliant.
July 29, 2019
I loved this book. Bendigo starts as an 18 year old in the mountains of Western Wyoming. He is just a big lug. First, he begins his self education. He is helpful to others., respectful of Indians, and a fighter if need be. I just traveled that part of Wyoming and the descriptions of the country are spot on. Ben develops over timeand that is the best part of the book. If you like Louis L'Amour, you will love this book.
December 16, 2019
Bendigo Shafter is the hero and narrator of this story. He tells of his family's journey out west and the town that they build. It's very well written. However, I have to agree with other reviews that said it was a little lacking in a plot and sometimes a little too philosophical. That being said the ideas that Bendigo has are extremely insightful of human nature and some still tend to be true.
July 5, 2017
Book 1 and 2 were great, book 3 was a bit of a snooze. I felt like the time line was unclear, to me it read as 2 years but some how Ninon became a woman, I also did NOT care at all about their relationship. Was there even a relationship to care about? But the first two books were excellent.
January 16, 2024
This is the first Western I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Really insightful and historically interesting as well. I enjoyed reading how young Bendigo grew up to become the man he ends up being and wanted to read beyond the final pages of this story.
May 29, 2023
One of my favorite Louis L'Amour books. A story not so much about the push West, but of finding one's self in the trials of life. L'Amour never disappoints.
March 1, 2018
This is a coming of age book as could only be written by Louis L'Amour. It is actually a book on the making of a man. Bendigo Shafter starts as an 18 year old with a strong back and the desire to be and become someone. The book tells of his growth and his love for learning
April 23, 2024
A true favorite of mine!
I long to be like Ruth Macken.
So many good life lessons to be learned through the character development of Bendigo and the other members of their town.
I long to be like Ruth Macken.
So many good life lessons to be learned through the character development of Bendigo and the other members of their town.
October 23, 2022
Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews