Big Country, Volume 4: Stories of Louis L'Amour

by Louis L'Amour, Mark Bramhall (Narrator)

Louis L'Amour said that the West was no place for the frightened or the mean. It was a ''big country needing big men and women to live in it.'' This fourth volume in the 'Big Country' series presents seven more of L'Amour's fine and ever popular short stories -- history that lives forever.

''Mistakes Can Kill You.''
Johnny O'Day, once rescued by the Redlin family, may be the only one who can save Sam Redlin from gambler and saloon owner Loss Degner in a fight over a woman.

''The One for the Mohave Kid.''
The Mohave Kid is deadly with a gun and a vicious character, but he is part of a large clan that protects him because he is family. When Marshal Ab Kale orders the Kid to stay away from his town, the Kid sees it as a tempting challenge.

''The Man from Battle Flat.''
A potential range war between nesters and ranchers has divided the townspeople, and now Bush Leason, the big nester, has shot Shorty Grimes in the back. That's why Krag Moran is there, sitting in front of the saloon, cleaning his double-barreled shotgun.

''Fork Your Own Broncs.''
Mac Marcy is a small-time rancher whose cattle access a water hole on Bob Kenyon's land, until Kenyon fences it off during a heat wave. But Kenyon's daughter knows of a secret water source.

''A Strong Land Growing.''
Marshal Fitz Moore hears that outlaws plan to hit his town of Sentinel. Their method is to kill the lawman first, then loot the town. Yet Moore still intends to make his stand alone.

''Barney Takes a Hand.''
The H&C Cattle Company has an eviction notice for Tess Bayeux. Tess has been waiting for help from Rex Tilden, but he hasn't responded. She supposes that this new fellow, Barney, will be no help at all, but in that she is wrong.

''Lit a Shuck for Texas.''
The Sandy Kid is nineteen and new to this range. He gets curious when he tells his boss, Wald, of a rich-veined chunk of gold ore on Wald's land but gets only anger in response.

Genres: Westerns, Short Stories

3 pages, Audio Cassette

First published November 23, 2010

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

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Began to really enjoy the genre after a book challenge for a month based on western themed books. These short stories are well written, with characters I'd like to know better, with a backdrop of the beautiful and wild west.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories have some things in common, yet they all tell a different story. All have good guys and bad guys. Often there is a damsel, but she isn’t always in distress. Louis L’Amour often writes strong female characters into his stories. Most often, the good guy ends up with a girl, but not always. But one thing does seem constant: the good guys win, even when they get hurt. Well written and very entertaining, these western tales hold up well, even into the 21st century.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

of the four collections I have heard, this was the most interesting. There were a total of 5 stories and the narrator was more comfortable and understandable with women's voices and made the male voices more memorable as well. Hearing these tales made me realize who much I enjoy reading Louis L'Amour.

[Rick Bostian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished A Strong Land Growing. Still have the last 2 stories to go.