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The Tall Stranger
Wagon trains heading west were forced to defend themselves against Indians, cope with injuries and illness, and struggle to find food. The group of easterners Rock Bannon was scouting for faced another problem. They were being deceived. When he warned them to remain on the Humboldt Trail, Sharon Crockett and the others refused to listen. Mort Harper, a stranger riding a beautiful black mare, had dazzled them with his charm and good looks. The southern route was the best way to go, Harper told them. But best for whom? Bannon wondered. That route led straight to the Salt Lake Desert. The conditions would be brutal. And if Harper wasn’t steering them toward those deadly alkali flats, where were they headed? And what would happen once they got there?
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
267 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Louis L'Amour
997 books3,488 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 154 reviews
May 4, 2024
"[Rock Bannon] had neither woman nor child, nor anyone anywhere. He had a horse and a saddle, a ready gun and a mind filled with lore of the trail, and eyes ever fixed on something he wanted, something faint and indistinct in outline, ever distant, yet ever real." -- detailing the protagonist, on page 2
The Tall Stranger is a good if unremarkable short novel from early in author L'Amour's career, about a taciturn gunslinging cowpoke named Rock who is accompanying a small wagon train heading westbound to the Oregon and California frontier in the 1870's. The occupants of said traveling caravan quickly fall under the spell of another man who joins them in progress - a smiling huckster with the slick charm of a game show host - who soon leads them into a untenable situation. Rock, of course, then has to save the ****ing day while also winning the heart of a ginger-haired young woman, who is one of the few single gals in said train. This narrative would've made for a tight 90-minute Technicolor B-movie in the 50's, and I could not help but picture a young John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara - who teamed up five times on the silver screen - as the main characters.
The Tall Stranger is a good if unremarkable short novel from early in author L'Amour's career, about a taciturn gunslinging cowpoke named Rock who is accompanying a small wagon train heading westbound to the Oregon and California frontier in the 1870's. The occupants of said traveling caravan quickly fall under the spell of another man who joins them in progress - a smiling huckster with the slick charm of a game show host - who soon leads them into a untenable situation. Rock, of course, then has to save the ****ing day while also winning the heart of a ginger-haired young woman, who is one of the few single gals in said train. This narrative would've made for a tight 90-minute Technicolor B-movie in the 50's, and I could not help but picture a young John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara - who teamed up five times on the silver screen - as the main characters.
November 21, 2021
I grabbed this book off my shelf at random on my way out the door to my daughter's swimming lessons one day, solely because it fit in my back pocket and I was in the mood for a western. And it did not disappoint. By page two, I was in love with Rock Bannon.
Rock Bannon isn't an original member of this wagon train. He crossed their path one day, shot full of holes, and they nursed him back to health. Out of gratitude, he's remained with the train and protected them through some pretty tough situations. Well, gratitude coupled with that growing interest in Sharon Crockett. Of course, there are some bad guys trying to use this wagon train for their own nefarious purposes. Danger arrives in several different doses, from several different directions, but the book winds up in a very satisfying way.
So, yeah, I chowed through this book in just a couple of days. It got very tense in spots, but was so short and streamlined that there was never time for me to get worried or stressed out. Instead, it sucked me merrily along to the finish line.
Rock Bannon isn't an original member of this wagon train. He crossed their path one day, shot full of holes, and they nursed him back to health. Out of gratitude, he's remained with the train and protected them through some pretty tough situations. Well, gratitude coupled with that growing interest in Sharon Crockett. Of course, there are some bad guys trying to use this wagon train for their own nefarious purposes. Danger arrives in several different doses, from several different directions, but the book winds up in a very satisfying way.
So, yeah, I chowed through this book in just a couple of days. It got very tense in spots, but was so short and streamlined that there was never time for me to get worried or stressed out. Instead, it sucked me merrily along to the finish line.
March 9, 2022
It’s been almost a year since reading my last L’Amour novel and I’d say it was just as good as any of them! I was originally skeptical to be picking up one of his books; I assumed my critical reading skills of late would spoil the story. I was wrong! Right from the start, L’Amour had me roped in with his over-the-top historical knowledge and legendary ability to shape a rock-solid man with a handful of words. Reading one of his books makes me feel strong, kind of in the same way I used to feel after watching Kung Fu Panda as a young boy.
Now, don’t get me wrong, just about every one of his stories I’ve read consists of a lot of the same content, but one thing that always changes is the way the story is constructed. His impressive knowledge of western history has created an endless array of stories that no one but himself could even begin to write up.
Rock Bannon, like most of Louis L’Amour’s protagonists, is a straight badass, and you can’t help but admire all the qualities these mysterious men possess. In Bannon’s scenario, “to act was easy, but somehow to shape the things he felt into words was beyond him.” I’ve never heard something like that before, and it’s that that makes these short westerns all the more appealing.
Like my great-grandfather, and many other simple men, I don’t think I could grow tired of a story such as this one. If you’re looking for an engaging, fast-but-slow-progressing, elementary yet professionally written book, then look no further, because Louis L’Amour has signed his name “on the side of a house with a six-shooter!”
Now, don’t get me wrong, just about every one of his stories I’ve read consists of a lot of the same content, but one thing that always changes is the way the story is constructed. His impressive knowledge of western history has created an endless array of stories that no one but himself could even begin to write up.
Rock Bannon, like most of Louis L’Amour’s protagonists, is a straight badass, and you can’t help but admire all the qualities these mysterious men possess. In Bannon’s scenario, “to act was easy, but somehow to shape the things he felt into words was beyond him.” I’ve never heard something like that before, and it’s that that makes these short westerns all the more appealing.
Like my great-grandfather, and many other simple men, I don’t think I could grow tired of a story such as this one. If you’re looking for an engaging, fast-but-slow-progressing, elementary yet professionally written book, then look no further, because Louis L’Amour has signed his name “on the side of a house with a six-shooter!”
August 3, 2017
L'Amour had an annoying habit of writing novellas for magazines, then later fleshing them out a bit, giving them new titles, and re-selling them as stand-alone paperbacks. Such is the case with THE TALL STRANGER, a novel which, like HONDO, is the book adaptation of a movie that was in turn based on L'Amour's original short story. And perhaps I'm being overly cynical, but I suspect it was the opportunity to make a quick buck--rather than any sort of artistic impulse--that influenced L'Amour to go back and revisit this material.
In any case, THE TALL STRANGER is nothing to get excited about. I'll admit, it starts off pretty strong, with lots of colorful dialog and some brilliant descriptions of the land being traveled through. The hero, villain, and romantic interest are all incredibly generic, but so what? If it was well-rounded characters we were after, we'd have gone with Charles Dickens. However, after a few promising chapters, the quality of the book really plummets. Even by pulp fiction standards, THE TALL STRANGER begins to feel lazy, as though L'Amour were saying, "I know I've already got you hooked, so now I'll just kick back and take it easy." On the other hand, maybe this is exactly what I should've expected from a short story that was expanded for the sole purpose of creating a movie tie-in.
In any case, THE TALL STRANGER is nothing to get excited about. I'll admit, it starts off pretty strong, with lots of colorful dialog and some brilliant descriptions of the land being traveled through. The hero, villain, and romantic interest are all incredibly generic, but so what? If it was well-rounded characters we were after, we'd have gone with Charles Dickens. However, after a few promising chapters, the quality of the book really plummets. Even by pulp fiction standards, THE TALL STRANGER begins to feel lazy, as though L'Amour were saying, "I know I've already got you hooked, so now I'll just kick back and take it easy." On the other hand, maybe this is exactly what I should've expected from a short story that was expanded for the sole purpose of creating a movie tie-in.
October 14, 2018
The Tall Stranger is the quintessential American western novella. Our brooding hero must stop a horde of evil cowboy gangsters bent on taking advantage of a small group of settlers in the Wild West.
It’s a quick read and definitely not politically correct anymore since it was written in the 50s (one of the characters is called a “half breed” regularly).
The story is exactly what you’d expect it to be, and I appreciated it for what it was. I’ve got a similar book written in the same time frame by a different author so I’ll try that one out soon too.
It’s a quick read and definitely not politically correct anymore since it was written in the 50s (one of the characters is called a “half breed” regularly).
The story is exactly what you’d expect it to be, and I appreciated it for what it was. I’ve got a similar book written in the same time frame by a different author so I’ll try that one out soon too.
April 12, 2017
I read this story as the first of four novellas in one collection. For some reason I've always made fun of Western movies growing up, so I'm not sure what urged me to READ one.
Nevertheless, it really wasn't too bad.
The story kicks off with a wagon trail heading to California, and a mysterious stranger named Rock Bannon gets picked up, after having a skirmish with some Indians. He's not well liked (or trusted) by the group, but he's familiar with trails, and is a good gunslinger. Soon the wagon trail picks up another stranger ... a smooth talker named Morton Harper that convinces them to take another route, against the advice of Bannon, and thus the conflict begins. As the settlers continue building their new town, multiple groups are arguing whether to stay or leave, with Harper and Bannon both having their own separate motivations.
The rich description of the landscape I thought was excellent - coupled with a fast-paced plot -
made for a quick enjoyable read. My few criticisms would be that L'Amour seems to be the kind of author that introduces a dozen different characters, out of the blue, yet doesn't take time to distinguish between them. With the exception of a few of the main ones that he focuses on, the rest are just generic cowboys with little to no descriptive qualities. Though in his defense, with the shortness of the book (100 pages) and the amount of gun-fights, storms, travelling, and so forth ... there really isn't enough time, or ink, to truly get into character development.
To borrow from another reviewer on this site ... this style of fiction is like the "fast food of literature". Addictive, enjoyable ... but no nutritional value. There really isn't anything whatsoever deep about this book, and I doubt I'll remember it for very long. But that isn't the reason you read these quickies. You read them because you want gun-fights, Indians, (and of course ... you got have the damsel in distress, and "mysterious male figure protagonist") ...
Recommended for people that would like to watch John Wayne movies or Bonanza, but in book format.
-Tim
Nevertheless, it really wasn't too bad.
The story kicks off with a wagon trail heading to California, and a mysterious stranger named Rock Bannon gets picked up, after having a skirmish with some Indians. He's not well liked (or trusted) by the group, but he's familiar with trails, and is a good gunslinger. Soon the wagon trail picks up another stranger ... a smooth talker named Morton Harper that convinces them to take another route, against the advice of Bannon, and thus the conflict begins. As the settlers continue building their new town, multiple groups are arguing whether to stay or leave, with Harper and Bannon both having their own separate motivations.
The rich description of the landscape I thought was excellent - coupled with a fast-paced plot -
made for a quick enjoyable read. My few criticisms would be that L'Amour seems to be the kind of author that introduces a dozen different characters, out of the blue, yet doesn't take time to distinguish between them. With the exception of a few of the main ones that he focuses on, the rest are just generic cowboys with little to no descriptive qualities. Though in his defense, with the shortness of the book (100 pages) and the amount of gun-fights, storms, travelling, and so forth ... there really isn't enough time, or ink, to truly get into character development.
To borrow from another reviewer on this site ... this style of fiction is like the "fast food of literature". Addictive, enjoyable ... but no nutritional value. There really isn't anything whatsoever deep about this book, and I doubt I'll remember it for very long. But that isn't the reason you read these quickies. You read them because you want gun-fights, Indians, (and of course ... you got have the damsel in distress, and "mysterious male figure protagonist") ...
Recommended for people that would like to watch John Wayne movies or Bonanza, but in book format.
-Tim
December 9, 2020
Rock Bannon rides into a settler's wagon train wounded. When he is healed a Mort Harper rides into camp and talks the group into a new route to California over Rock's objections. When they reach the valley where Rock's foster father lives, Harper convinces some of the settlers to stay. A local cowhand is murdered and a range war is on.
April 21, 2025
Another interesting western. Quite simple plot - we've got this people who are traveling through the Oregon trail and they are persuaded to follow a different route by Mort. Another riders tries to persuade that place would be more dangerous , first due to indians and then due to a cowboy "ruler" near Salt Lake.
There are shooting, interesting places, different costumes but overall quite good. Really enjoyed the main character which is kind of what you expect by a "real" man. But interesting tihs has the best female character I've read so far with Sharon Crockett (is her familiar to David Crockett?)
Some interesting partS:
Sharon when she is not the place for woman - "I'm not so sure," she flashed. " We women came across the plains with you."
Another interesting was the view of Mormons towards Indians. I've got to investigate more:
"Those Mormons, they had the right idea. Treat Indians Good, pay for what you get, and no shootin' indians for the fun of it, like some folks do.
So you can have a good book with some interesting role models for women and men without depreciating one over the other. And let us remind ourselves this was written in the 50's.
My only concern was the simplicity of it all. But nevertheless it delivered. 75/100
There are shooting, interesting places, different costumes but overall quite good. Really enjoyed the main character which is kind of what you expect by a "real" man. But interesting tihs has the best female character I've read so far with Sharon Crockett (is her familiar to David Crockett?)
Some interesting partS:
Sharon when she is not the place for woman - "I'm not so sure," she flashed. " We women came across the plains with you."
Another interesting was the view of Mormons towards Indians. I've got to investigate more:
"Those Mormons, they had the right idea. Treat Indians Good, pay for what you get, and no shootin' indians for the fun of it, like some folks do.
So you can have a good book with some interesting role models for women and men without depreciating one over the other. And let us remind ourselves this was written in the 50's.
My only concern was the simplicity of it all. But nevertheless it delivered. 75/100
June 24, 2023
Fast talker Mort Harper convinces a wagon train of settlers to take a different trail, going against the advice of their scout Rock Bannon. Eventually Harper convinces the settlers to start a town on land claimed by someone else. Trouble ensues.
It starts off strong but becomes predictable with no real character development. The strongest aspects of the book are the descriptions of the characters, the landscapes, and the action scenes. A quick, light read with no surprises.
It starts off strong but becomes predictable with no real character development. The strongest aspects of the book are the descriptions of the characters, the landscapes, and the action scenes. A quick, light read with no surprises.
December 22, 2018
An excellent early novel from the master.
June 27, 2022
This one takes a slightly different direction than the standard L'Amour book, with the big, rugged individualist man showing up to handle a problem on his own against all odds, and succeeding by luck, toughness, and determination.
The protagonist is all that but instead is helped out by a wagon train after being found wounded and nursed back to health by a pretty settler's daughter. The wagon train doesn't go the way you'd usually expect in these stories, and is mislead by a charming, clever man who is good with words who has a pretty big, long-term scheme.
How he set all this up in advance just to happen to find the right train to take advantage of is a bit questionable but the setup plays out well and is a pretty fresh and interesting story.
The protagonist is all that but instead is helped out by a wagon train after being found wounded and nursed back to health by a pretty settler's daughter. The wagon train doesn't go the way you'd usually expect in these stories, and is mislead by a charming, clever man who is good with words who has a pretty big, long-term scheme.
How he set all this up in advance just to happen to find the right train to take advantage of is a bit questionable but the setup plays out well and is a pretty fresh and interesting story.
May 4, 2019
Don’t ever say I don’t venture out from my comfort zone in my reading. I finished my first real Western (unless Lonesome Dove counts). And it’s a Louis L’Amour, the John Wayne of Western writers.
I knew where this book was going from page one. No doubt about it…it’s a guy book, through and through. Fellow (Mercy! His name is ROCK Banyon…please!) joins up with a wagon train headed west. The man who’s guiding the wagon train is Mort Harper. Harper has persuaded the train to take a southern route, a route that Rock Banyon knows will lead straight to the Salt Lake Desert. Harper and Banyon both fall for the same girl and they squabble back and forth until they reach a tranquil valley owned by a rancher Banyon knows won’t take kindly to having strangers move in. Banyon can’t quite figure out what Harper’s scheme is, but he lurks around on the fringes as the wagon train decides to appropriate some of the rancher’s land.
There’s some gun fights, some fist fights, a saloon, beautiful farm land, and a pretty girl. You feel pretty confident early on that the good guy’s gonna win out. And, apparently, that’s a Western.
I knew where this book was going from page one. No doubt about it…it’s a guy book, through and through. Fellow (Mercy! His name is ROCK Banyon…please!) joins up with a wagon train headed west. The man who’s guiding the wagon train is Mort Harper. Harper has persuaded the train to take a southern route, a route that Rock Banyon knows will lead straight to the Salt Lake Desert. Harper and Banyon both fall for the same girl and they squabble back and forth until they reach a tranquil valley owned by a rancher Banyon knows won’t take kindly to having strangers move in. Banyon can’t quite figure out what Harper’s scheme is, but he lurks around on the fringes as the wagon train decides to appropriate some of the rancher’s land.
There’s some gun fights, some fist fights, a saloon, beautiful farm land, and a pretty girl. You feel pretty confident early on that the good guy’s gonna win out. And, apparently, that’s a Western.
April 6, 2025
Another great book by a great author. I think that I have read every one of Louis L'Amour's stories.
I read some of them, like this one, years ago, but it is very enjoyable to read them again.
And now I have read it again. Perhaps I am getting old, but I didn't enjoy this book as much this time.
It sounded a lot like a number of other books by the same author. When you write as many books as Louis L'Amour had, it is hard to come up with a new plot every time. Still, it is a good story.
I read some of them, like this one, years ago, but it is very enjoyable to read them again.
And now I have read it again. Perhaps I am getting old, but I didn't enjoy this book as much this time.
It sounded a lot like a number of other books by the same author. When you write as many books as Louis L'Amour had, it is hard to come up with a new plot every time. Still, it is a good story.
July 30, 2022
This was my first Louis L’amour book and I really enjoyed it. A fairly straightforward plot but full of action and very fast paced. A great, relaxing quick read of a typical Western story. Recommended.
September 9, 2020
Always so enjoyable to read! This is at least the second time I’ve read this novel.... one of my favorite authors...
December 21, 2022
"Been awhile since reading a western. One great author here."!
October 8, 2025
Rock Bannon has joined a wagon train heading west, and this group is mostly made up of naive greenhorns who take the advice of a smooth-talking frontiersman who sends them on a less-traveled trail that leads to an Indian ambush. Bannon has now set himself up as a hard fighter with a suspicious past that the party is firmly opposed to, but a sense of obligation and responsibility has him stay with them. He doesn't want to just let these people end up dead, especially the beautiful Sharon Crockett.
This tale is also told in L'Amour's "Bannon" and "Showdown Trail," though stretched out with a little more descript in "The Tall Stranger" (1957). One of L'Amour's best early hero westerns.
Verdict: If you have a few hours and a copy of "The Tall Stranger," please set life aside for those few hours, settle into a comfortable lawn chair, and be ready for an amazing read.
Jeff's Rating: 5 / 5 (Excellent)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG
This tale is also told in L'Amour's "Bannon" and "Showdown Trail," though stretched out with a little more descript in "The Tall Stranger" (1957). One of L'Amour's best early hero westerns.
Verdict: If you have a few hours and a copy of "The Tall Stranger," please set life aside for those few hours, settle into a comfortable lawn chair, and be ready for an amazing read.
Jeff's Rating: 5 / 5 (Excellent)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG
September 5, 2024
I always love me a good western and this one fit the bill. Found an old copy at a used book store and got to reading.
I really enjoyed it! It’s quick paced with fun heroes and villains.
Rock Bannon, which is such a manly name it cracks me up, is such a quintessential western hero. Man of few words, quick to action, and not to bad on the eyes he stops the shit birds and marries the lovely Sharon.
Louis L’amour has a great writing style that’s easy, yet has some beautiful prose. I can see why he’s so beloved.
I’ll definitely check out more from him.
I really enjoyed it! It’s quick paced with fun heroes and villains.
Rock Bannon, which is such a manly name it cracks me up, is such a quintessential western hero. Man of few words, quick to action, and not to bad on the eyes he stops the shit birds and marries the lovely Sharon.
Louis L’amour has a great writing style that’s easy, yet has some beautiful prose. I can see why he’s so beloved.
I’ll definitely check out more from him.
December 30, 2018
If you're looking for a short, no-thinking, Western this is a solid choice. It will hold your attention throughout the short read and uses colorful enough language to put you in the landscape. While nothing life-changing, The Tall Stranger is everything it claims to be: a short, interesting Western.
August 17, 2020
Rock Bannon is shot up and is cared for by a young woman who is in a wagon train with her father. He recovers and the wagon train is advised to take a different route. They end up in a valley and are soon joined by the man who gave the bad advice. One L'Amour's shortest. Good action just not all that well developed.
January 31, 2022
A tall stranger joins a caravan headed West.
When things start to go wrong, the Tall Stranger is the only one to stand up to the bad dudes.
After he shoots up a few scum bags, he beats up the biggest man in the group with his fists, then he saves the woman in distress from the crazed leader.
Classic L'Amour.
When things start to go wrong, the Tall Stranger is the only one to stand up to the bad dudes.
After he shoots up a few scum bags, he beats up the biggest man in the group with his fists, then he saves the woman in distress from the crazed leader.
Classic L'Amour.
April 7, 2024
It was pretty good. Louis L'Amour definitely knows how to describe the terrain of Western culture. This story reminded me of one of the cowboy shows that I would watch with my pap on his farm. Even though I imagined this as a black and white film, it was still a lovely adventure. As most western shows end, yes, of course, he got the girl. Classic damsel in distress kind of read but also charming.
January 8, 2022
Not L’Amour’s best effort in my opinion (and I’m not personally a fan of the mysterious-hero-is-actually-related-to-an-important-person), but still enjoyable. LL always is.
June 13, 2024
Cowboys, hell yeah
June 14, 2025
MILL, Man I Love Louis. Keep em coming.
October 19, 2021
Well, just for fun I pulled an old Louis L’Amour book from my shelves. The Tall Stranger was an early book for Louis; my copy says 1957, was published by Fawcett, and has a cover price of 95 cents. I am sure I read it many years ago, but I remembered none of it. It is standard fare. The hero is in his twenties, physically fit and good in a slug fest, handy with a gun, believes in what’s right, and is awkward around women. The bad guy is a slick talker, well kept in appearance, relatively handsome, good with a gun, has no principles except to take what he wants, and thinks highly of himself. There is also a girl; she has flame red hair, is the daughter of would be settler, and is attracted to both the hero and the bad actor, at least to begin with. There are the assorted minor players, one a real bad man with a gun, some settlers of varying degrees of ability and character, and the ranch hands who are loyal to the brand. Yup, it is hay-burner stuff all the way through. I enjoyed it. The good guy wins and gets the girl; the bad guy gets western justice at the end of a gun. Good stuff and a good read. Have fun.
September 18, 2021
This is the first Western novel I have read. I read it in memory of my mother who died a few months ago at the age of 93. She was an avid reader who loved what she called cowboy books. She spent the last many years of her life reading several books a week that were delivered to her assisted living home by the local library. I have read a lot in the last few months myself, so I decided to read a cowboy book in her honor. I enjoyed this quick read. It kept my attention and L'Amour painted good mental pictures for me. It may have been my first Western, but I think I will try a few more down the road.
March 14, 2021
I can't remember the last western I read...if ever. The author writes well and developed a strong plot with lots of suspense. He is so descriptive without over doing the process. Really a good, fun read.
March 4, 2011
A really good story if you like westerns. I had forgotten how well Louie L'Amour writes. His descriptions of the land, the people and everything else makes you feel like you are there.
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August 25, 2012Typical Louis L'Amour, a truly great story teller
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews