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Catlow
Ben Cowan and Bijah Catlow had been bound as friends since childhood. By the time they grew to manhood, Catlow had become a top cowhand with a wild streak. It took just one disastrous confrontation with a band of greedy ranchers to make him an outlaw. And when he crossed that line, it was up to U.S. Marshal Ben Cowan to bring him in alive--if only Catlow would give him the chance....
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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649 people want to read
About the author
Louis L'Amour
995 books3,469 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 99 reviews
October 14, 2023
"Without duty, life don't make any kind of sense, ma'am. If folks are going to live together they have to abide by some kind of rules, and the law is those rules. The law doesn't work against a man, it works for him. Without it, every house would have to be a fortress, and no man or woman would be safe . . . There's always mavericks who can't or won't ride a straight trail, and the law needs somebody to ride herd on them." -- the work philosophy of sincere deputy U.S. marshal Ben Cowan, on page 70
I find it a bit odd that author L'Amour titled this one Catlow, as the title character - a sort of wily gentleman cattle rustler - is more of a supporting or second-tier character, and rarely on center stage. The bulk of the narrative - set in the early 1870's, like many of L'Amour's 'frontier stories' - focuses more on deputy U.S. marshal Ben Cowan methodically tracking down Bijah Catlow and his gang after they flee from the Arizona territory deep into Mexico. The catch? Cowan and Catlow have known each other since their teenage years, and have a deep and grudging (although largely unspoken, because they're dudes, after all) mutual respect . . . but each continues to stay true to his chosen lawman and/or outlaw status. They seem to almost enjoy the cat-and-mouse aspect to the pursuit, and this adventure story gallops along and even has a few good plot twists or turns late in the game. Perhaps best of all was the emotionally-charged fast-forward reveal on the final page, which now ties with the finale of Conagher as my favorite conclusion in any L'Amour book.
I find it a bit odd that author L'Amour titled this one Catlow, as the title character - a sort of wily gentleman cattle rustler - is more of a supporting or second-tier character, and rarely on center stage. The bulk of the narrative - set in the early 1870's, like many of L'Amour's 'frontier stories' - focuses more on deputy U.S. marshal Ben Cowan methodically tracking down Bijah Catlow and his gang after they flee from the Arizona territory deep into Mexico. The catch? Cowan and Catlow have known each other since their teenage years, and have a deep and grudging (although largely unspoken, because they're dudes, after all) mutual respect . . . but each continues to stay true to his chosen lawman and/or outlaw status. They seem to almost enjoy the cat-and-mouse aspect to the pursuit, and this adventure story gallops along and even has a few good plot twists or turns late in the game. Perhaps best of all was the emotionally-charged fast-forward reveal on the final page, which now ties with the finale of Conagher as my favorite conclusion in any L'Amour book.
April 16, 2023
Classic story about an outlaw, Bijah Catlow, and his best friend U.S. Marshall Ben Cowan. Their paths cross numerous times, friendship prevails... Catlow steals 2 million from Mexico and tries to escape through the Sonora Desert.
February 6, 2022
(A)bijah Catlow and Ben Cowan grew up together, fighting together and against each other. As so often happens, their lives have taken different paths since. Ben is now a deputy U.S. Marshal, and Bijah is an outlaw rustler. Now, admittedly, Bijah was initially framed for rustling by a crooked cattle baron and the sheriff he shot getting out of that mess was bought and paid for. But he hasn’t exactly tried very hard to go straight since. Ben knows it’s only a matter of time before he and Bijah will have a showdown.
It’s mostly coincidence that brings the two men back together. Marshal Cowan is tracking a man named Miller who stole an Army payroll into Arizona. At the same time, Bijah Catlow is courting Cordelia Burton, Miller’s niece by marriage. This is inconvenient for everyone involved. Now that Ben knows where Bijah is, he’s duty bound to arrest him, despite their past connection. Bijah can’t afford to get arrested any time soon as he’s planning the biggest score of his life and doesn’t want to seriously hurt Ben. Miller hates both of them, and the Burton family just wants to not be involved in any crime or violence.
After some shenanigans, the story shifts south of the Mexican border. Bijah has learned of a legendary treasure in silver and gold that was hidden for decades, but that the new Mexican president is having moved to pay some government debt. With the right group of outlaws to assist him, Bijah means to steal that treasure and retire a rich man. The plan has a few problems, of course. Neither Marshal Cowan or Miller was meant to be on his trail, and the escape route goes right through the worst of the Sonoran desert. No water, no shelter, and plenty of hostile natives. Plus, of course, there’s little honor among thieves.
Ben would really rather not follow a few steps behind, but American bandits stealing the Mexican government’s money is not a good look and could lead to war. He makes his own allies in the southern land, but also faces great danger.
Bijah Catlow is more sympathetically portrayed than the outlaws in most L’Amour books. He’s pushed into being a criminal by bad luck and having the wrong enemies, and tries hard to do as little harm as possible. That said, he doesn’t agonize over any killing he feels required to do. His general good nature gets him into trouble a few times, but is also an asset in dealing with others.
Ben Cowan is more your standard-issue L’Amour Western hero, stalwart, taciturn, self-reliant, but with a strong reservoir of sense of justice.
Given the lovingly detailed action scenes and descriptions of the landscape, the romantic subplots seem especially rushed in this one. I know L’Amour wasn’t big on slow burn relationships, but wow. (This part also allows him to tie the book into his Sackett saga via one of the characters being a distant relation.)
Content note: One of the Native American characters is named “Nigger Jim” which is not meant to be a slur in context but is jarring to see.
Overall: Not one of the great Louis L’Amour books, but still middling good and with more ambiguity than he normally used. Also got made into a movie with Yul Brynner as Catlow, Richard Crenna as Cowan, and Leonard Nimoy as Harris. (Nimoy considered it one of his favorite movies to work on. Recommended to Western fans.
It’s mostly coincidence that brings the two men back together. Marshal Cowan is tracking a man named Miller who stole an Army payroll into Arizona. At the same time, Bijah Catlow is courting Cordelia Burton, Miller’s niece by marriage. This is inconvenient for everyone involved. Now that Ben knows where Bijah is, he’s duty bound to arrest him, despite their past connection. Bijah can’t afford to get arrested any time soon as he’s planning the biggest score of his life and doesn’t want to seriously hurt Ben. Miller hates both of them, and the Burton family just wants to not be involved in any crime or violence.
After some shenanigans, the story shifts south of the Mexican border. Bijah has learned of a legendary treasure in silver and gold that was hidden for decades, but that the new Mexican president is having moved to pay some government debt. With the right group of outlaws to assist him, Bijah means to steal that treasure and retire a rich man. The plan has a few problems, of course. Neither Marshal Cowan or Miller was meant to be on his trail, and the escape route goes right through the worst of the Sonoran desert. No water, no shelter, and plenty of hostile natives. Plus, of course, there’s little honor among thieves.
Ben would really rather not follow a few steps behind, but American bandits stealing the Mexican government’s money is not a good look and could lead to war. He makes his own allies in the southern land, but also faces great danger.
Bijah Catlow is more sympathetically portrayed than the outlaws in most L’Amour books. He’s pushed into being a criminal by bad luck and having the wrong enemies, and tries hard to do as little harm as possible. That said, he doesn’t agonize over any killing he feels required to do. His general good nature gets him into trouble a few times, but is also an asset in dealing with others.
Ben Cowan is more your standard-issue L’Amour Western hero, stalwart, taciturn, self-reliant, but with a strong reservoir of sense of justice.
Given the lovingly detailed action scenes and descriptions of the landscape, the romantic subplots seem especially rushed in this one. I know L’Amour wasn’t big on slow burn relationships, but wow. (This part also allows him to tie the book into his Sackett saga via one of the characters being a distant relation.)
Content note: One of the Native American characters is named “Nigger Jim” which is not meant to be a slur in context but is jarring to see.
Overall: Not one of the great Louis L’Amour books, but still middling good and with more ambiguity than he normally used. Also got made into a movie with Yul Brynner as Catlow, Richard Crenna as Cowan, and Leonard Nimoy as Harris. (Nimoy considered it one of his favorite movies to work on. Recommended to Western fans.
September 30, 2020
U.S. Marshall Ben Cowan pursues his fiend Bijah deep into Mexico. He will have to take on Mexican soldiers and pay a high price to get his prisoner across the border alive. A fine read from a master of the Western. Locations in the story actually exist.
April 5, 2020
I enjoyed the book. It is a good story and a very quick read. I might try other westerns.
May 19, 2025
Very entertaining, but that’s because I was a boy who didn’t know anything about the frontier other than cowboys and gunslingers… this story failed to break out of the rinsed-and-repeated Western genre of “uncivilized” Indigenous People and the protagonist (Ben Cowan) was too noble of a character to even seem realistic, where was the historically accurate portrayal of lawmen that would repeatedly commit extrajudicial killings?
Come to think of the book again, I do still think a lot about the scenes that the author constructed which broadened my appreciation for Westerns. Though a controversial genre that romanticizes settler colonialism, I do love the perspectives of the landscapes and the traversal of the deserts it was set in.
Come to think of the book again, I do still think a lot about the scenes that the author constructed which broadened my appreciation for Westerns. Though a controversial genre that romanticizes settler colonialism, I do love the perspectives of the landscapes and the traversal of the deserts it was set in.
November 9, 2024
3.5/5
This felt more like a bindup than an original full novel. That being said, I still had a good time reading this short book.
This felt more like a bindup than an original full novel. That being said, I still had a good time reading this short book.
June 29, 2018
I'm not a regular reader of Westerns. I picked up "Catlow" because it's the basis for a horse opera of the same title, staring the interesting cinematic bouillabaisse of Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna and Leonard Nemoy.
I do continue to admire Louis L'Amour, and his amazing ability to churn out literally hundreds of fresh stories without giving the reader feelings of deja vu. In this story, we've got lifelong friends who have been parted by the law, but not by personal inclination. Ben Cowan may be a lawman, may have to figure just what Bijah Catlow is planning to do as his last big strike, and may have to bring him to justice; but that errand is just as much about saving his best pal from a hanging as it is about bringing Catlow back from Mexico to face the judge. Catlow does have a big plan in mind - for it to work, he'll not only have to escape from the Mexican army, a very angry senorita, his own unreliable men, Apaches, and a hit man hired by a rancher after Catlow for rustling - he'll need everything he's got, including, just maybe, help from his old pal Cowan.
It's pretty exciting stuff, with some interesting encounters (that might lead to both men settling down) added in for good measure. The plot keeps moving, we have plenty of action, and the efforts of Cowan and Catlow are practical and authentic.
(The movie was made in 1971, and stars Yul Brynner as Catlow, Richard Crenna as Cowan, and Leonard Nimoy as Miller the hit man. I only saw pieces of it before, but after reading the book, I'm really intrigued.)
I do continue to admire Louis L'Amour, and his amazing ability to churn out literally hundreds of fresh stories without giving the reader feelings of deja vu. In this story, we've got lifelong friends who have been parted by the law, but not by personal inclination. Ben Cowan may be a lawman, may have to figure just what Bijah Catlow is planning to do as his last big strike, and may have to bring him to justice; but that errand is just as much about saving his best pal from a hanging as it is about bringing Catlow back from Mexico to face the judge. Catlow does have a big plan in mind - for it to work, he'll not only have to escape from the Mexican army, a very angry senorita, his own unreliable men, Apaches, and a hit man hired by a rancher after Catlow for rustling - he'll need everything he's got, including, just maybe, help from his old pal Cowan.
It's pretty exciting stuff, with some interesting encounters (that might lead to both men settling down) added in for good measure. The plot keeps moving, we have plenty of action, and the efforts of Cowan and Catlow are practical and authentic.
(The movie was made in 1971, and stars Yul Brynner as Catlow, Richard Crenna as Cowan, and Leonard Nimoy as Miller the hit man. I only saw pieces of it before, but after reading the book, I'm really intrigued.)
July 25, 2019
A 1963 western by prolific author Louis L'Amour takes a timeless theme and puts it in a western setting - boyhood friends who grew up to be on different sides of the law. We've seen it in an urban setting in old Warner Brothers gangster movies with Pat O'Brien and Jimmy Cagney. Author L'Amour puts his spin on the plot by having Catlow as a likeable outlaw originally forced to skirt the law by crooked ranchers who own the law in their part of the country. Cowen if the lawman reluctant to bring Catlow in because he recognizes the injustice behind the arrest warrant. An enjoyable read with many plot twists on the way to a satisfying ending.
By the time these childhood friends reached manhood, they had drifted apart. Ben had taken the path to wearing a tin star, while Catlow followed a more serpentine trail to becoming a top cowhand with a wild streak who followed the spirit of the law if not the letter. By mutual consent, they avoid each other so as not to force a confrontation. But after a disastrous confrontation with a band of greedy ranchers, Catlow is branded an outlaw and it is U.S. Marshal Ben Cowan’s job to bring him in alive — if Catlow will let him. When Catlow escapes to Mexico, determined to pull off a Confederate gold heist and retire, Ben is hot on his trail. But circumstances will force the two men on opposite sides of the law to become allies again, fighting for survival as they are pursued across the harsh Mexican desert by forces who want them both dead.
By the time these childhood friends reached manhood, they had drifted apart. Ben had taken the path to wearing a tin star, while Catlow followed a more serpentine trail to becoming a top cowhand with a wild streak who followed the spirit of the law if not the letter. By mutual consent, they avoid each other so as not to force a confrontation. But after a disastrous confrontation with a band of greedy ranchers, Catlow is branded an outlaw and it is U.S. Marshal Ben Cowan’s job to bring him in alive — if Catlow will let him. When Catlow escapes to Mexico, determined to pull off a Confederate gold heist and retire, Ben is hot on his trail. But circumstances will force the two men on opposite sides of the law to become allies again, fighting for survival as they are pursued across the harsh Mexican desert by forces who want them both dead.
January 7, 2018
One of the huge number of "Westerns" written by L'Amour. It contains all of the elements you expect of the genre: bad guys with a heart of gold, lawmen who aren't entirely sure that the law is the best way to achieve justice, cowboys, Indians, gunfights and desserts. But as usual, L'Amour uses these stereotypical elements of the genre to tell a deeper story.
At its core, Catlow is about honor and friendship. Catlow is an outlaw--but with a dream of going straight, getting married, and settling down. Ben is an old acquaintance, friend, but also the US Marshal responsible for enforcing the law and arresting the criminals, of which Catlow is the most notorious.
When the Marshal learns that Catlow has planned one last, huge, crime before he retires, he feels bound to stop him, or capture him. Yet time after time, he is faced with situations where to perform his sworn duty to arrest Catlow would be morally wrong--for example, he has a chance to arrest Catlow right after Catlow saves his life.
In the end, this is a book about two men who have deep respect for each other's morality, with a mutual understanding that while the law (or duty) and justice often overlap, sometimes they don't...and anyone who wants to live a moral life has to figure out what to do in those situations where justice and the law diverge.
At its core, Catlow is about honor and friendship. Catlow is an outlaw--but with a dream of going straight, getting married, and settling down. Ben is an old acquaintance, friend, but also the US Marshal responsible for enforcing the law and arresting the criminals, of which Catlow is the most notorious.
When the Marshal learns that Catlow has planned one last, huge, crime before he retires, he feels bound to stop him, or capture him. Yet time after time, he is faced with situations where to perform his sworn duty to arrest Catlow would be morally wrong--for example, he has a chance to arrest Catlow right after Catlow saves his life.
In the end, this is a book about two men who have deep respect for each other's morality, with a mutual understanding that while the law (or duty) and justice often overlap, sometimes they don't...and anyone who wants to live a moral life has to figure out what to do in those situations where justice and the law diverge.
November 9, 2018
This is one of those books where you get to a certain point and then you HAVE to finish it.
The themes here are all familiar to fans of L'Amour, but it in no way did the familiarity detract from the story. Ben and Abijah (Catlow) are the friends we all hope to have and be to someone else. When Ben becomes a U.S. Marshal, of course he is going to have to track his old friend down someday.
Descriptions are always one of the author's strengths, and here L'Amour gives us incredible pictures of not just the Southwest, but the country (and women) of Mexico in all their glory. Even more incredible is the description of the desert and its people that make you want to be there, even as it begins killing Catlow's men and nearly Ben as well.
This is a definite must read for anyone who enjoys a good book, and not just fans of L'Amour or westerns in general.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
Then keep it on your shelf so your friends and family can read it too.
The themes here are all familiar to fans of L'Amour, but it in no way did the familiarity detract from the story. Ben and Abijah (Catlow) are the friends we all hope to have and be to someone else. When Ben becomes a U.S. Marshal, of course he is going to have to track his old friend down someday.
Descriptions are always one of the author's strengths, and here L'Amour gives us incredible pictures of not just the Southwest, but the country (and women) of Mexico in all their glory. Even more incredible is the description of the desert and its people that make you want to be there, even as it begins killing Catlow's men and nearly Ben as well.
This is a definite must read for anyone who enjoys a good book, and not just fans of L'Amour or westerns in general.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
Then keep it on your shelf so your friends and family can read it too.
February 23, 2019
Dear old dad (still alive), loved these Westerns when I was a kid.
He loved the movies too, I am not sure how many times we watched "For a few dollars more", "A Fistfull of Dollars" and "The Good the bad and the ugly" and similar movies.
So imagine this portly bespectacled African academic who just loves reading stories about the "The Old West". Interesting, hmm?
I actually really enjoyed this one. The story is pretty basic but it's well told. Both the characters of Catlow and Cowan are very likable and I like that a good portion of the story takes place in Mexico.
I was even more impressed when I realized that there is a MOVIE and that, LEONARD NIMOY, ONLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD is in it! The movie probably isn't that good, but now I am tempted to watch it.
He loved the movies too, I am not sure how many times we watched "For a few dollars more", "A Fistfull of Dollars" and "The Good the bad and the ugly" and similar movies.
So imagine this portly bespectacled African academic who just loves reading stories about the "The Old West". Interesting, hmm?
I actually really enjoyed this one. The story is pretty basic but it's well told. Both the characters of Catlow and Cowan are very likable and I like that a good portion of the story takes place in Mexico.
I was even more impressed when I realized that there is a MOVIE and that, LEONARD NIMOY, ONLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD is in it! The movie probably isn't that good, but now I am tempted to watch it.
April 3, 2020
Growing up, they had been allies, enemies, and respected opponents.
At times on the same page, other times against each other.
Now grown up Ben is a lawman.
Catlow, having tried the honest life. That is stolen by wealthy ranchers.
Goes on the outlaw trail.
An outlaw with a code of honor.
Catlow tumbles on a rich prize, in Mexico.
Soon, Ben ends up there as well.
In pursuit of Catlow, and one other outlaw.
They will find themselves, both trying to survive in the desert.
With bandidos, and a deadly tribe of Indians. Looking to take what Catlow has or simply the lives of the white men.
A decent tale, that moves from one setting to another.
As both main characters lives, intertwine.
With a maybe short, yet acceptable. Brief wrap up for them both.
Was nice to see for a change.
At times on the same page, other times against each other.
Now grown up Ben is a lawman.
Catlow, having tried the honest life. That is stolen by wealthy ranchers.
Goes on the outlaw trail.
An outlaw with a code of honor.
Catlow tumbles on a rich prize, in Mexico.
Soon, Ben ends up there as well.
In pursuit of Catlow, and one other outlaw.
They will find themselves, both trying to survive in the desert.
With bandidos, and a deadly tribe of Indians. Looking to take what Catlow has or simply the lives of the white men.
A decent tale, that moves from one setting to another.
As both main characters lives, intertwine.
With a maybe short, yet acceptable. Brief wrap up for them both.
Was nice to see for a change.
November 20, 2022
This was a very fun book. I love the interaction between Ben Cowan and Bijah Catlow. This is a true friendship that remains for a life time. There is lots of action and plenty of places that will make you smile or laugh. Catlow is the carefree outlaw that never tries to get into trouble but always seems to find it. Ben Cowan is a serious man whose calling is the law. He is a dedicated U.S. Marshal with an impressive record.
This is the story of Catlow's adventures outside the law and Ben trying to capture him and keep him in jail. Oh Catlow will go with Ben to be taken to jail but he rarely stays longer than a night. No other lawman has been able to capture Catlow and to aggravate the situation the general public loves him.
I highly recommend this book. Oh yes, there is a small tie in to the Sacketts.
This is the story of Catlow's adventures outside the law and Ben trying to capture him and keep him in jail. Oh Catlow will go with Ben to be taken to jail but he rarely stays longer than a night. No other lawman has been able to capture Catlow and to aggravate the situation the general public loves him.
I highly recommend this book. Oh yes, there is a small tie in to the Sacketts.
June 22, 2024
I usually read reviews after posting mine, it seems I do it wrong. I should start by telling you what the book is about, and then vaguely describe it's value.
The back cover description made me not want to read this book, but at some point you reach the bottom of the pile, so here we are... Turns out both the cover and back were misleading! The book was great.
The two main characters slowly spiral around each other until the end. Two different personalities, two philosophies, two sides of the law. Yet they go through the book with mutual respect and care about each other. I think we could use more of that in this time. It felt like a nice reminder of how we could treat others even while being different.
Also loved the ending. This had the best Western ending I've read yet! Possibly my favorite book ending of any type. It's possible the last two sentence made it 5-stars.
The back cover description made me not want to read this book, but at some point you reach the bottom of the pile, so here we are... Turns out both the cover and back were misleading! The book was great.
The two main characters slowly spiral around each other until the end. Two different personalities, two philosophies, two sides of the law. Yet they go through the book with mutual respect and care about each other. I think we could use more of that in this time. It felt like a nice reminder of how we could treat others even while being different.
Also loved the ending. This had the best Western ending I've read yet! Possibly my favorite book ending of any type. It's possible the last two sentence made it 5-stars.
April 13, 2020
I could probably just create one review for Louis L'Amour then cut and paste to every book I have read.
Louis L'Amour is the master at setting the stage and painting the backdrop for his stories. I grew up on his books and will always enjoy reading them. It does not matter that there are only a handful of basic storylines used in his books he finds the nuances to the story that makes each one unique.
Bijah Catlow and Ben Cowan are one and the same. Both loyal. Both determined. And both always willing to help the other, despite being on opposite sides of the law. This story covers an immense landscape from the rolling hills of central Kansas to the Mexican deserts. If you enjoy a good western, then you should enjoy this story.
Louis L'Amour is the master at setting the stage and painting the backdrop for his stories. I grew up on his books and will always enjoy reading them. It does not matter that there are only a handful of basic storylines used in his books he finds the nuances to the story that makes each one unique.
Bijah Catlow and Ben Cowan are one and the same. Both loyal. Both determined. And both always willing to help the other, despite being on opposite sides of the law. This story covers an immense landscape from the rolling hills of central Kansas to the Mexican deserts. If you enjoy a good western, then you should enjoy this story.
April 17, 2020
Catlow is on the wrong side of the law, though you’d never meet a nicer guy. His best friend Ben is a US marshal. Ben’s kind of regretful that duty is going to force him to catch Catlow and arrest him. Catlow is kind of sad that he might have to kill his best friend, particularly after saving his life three, four times in the past. Still, things get that way in the old west, and in old Mexico when the prize is a wagon train with more than a million dollars of Mexican gold.
This is a quite painless 175 pages. It goes down easy like an Audie Murphy or Fred McMurray western. Nothing really awful happens to anyone who isn’t a low darn varmint who’s meaner than a rattlesnake. It isn’t memorable in any way, nor was it intended to be.
This is a quite painless 175 pages. It goes down easy like an Audie Murphy or Fred McMurray western. Nothing really awful happens to anyone who isn’t a low darn varmint who’s meaner than a rattlesnake. It isn’t memorable in any way, nor was it intended to be.
March 25, 2019
This is from the 'Lost Treasures' Collection of L'Amour's work. It could have stayed lost. Despite being popular enough to have been made into a motion picture (with Yul Brenner and Leonard Nimoy of all people), this has been my least favorite L'Amour story to date - and I'll read any Louis L'Amour at the drop of a ten-gallon hat.
The characters are not just colorless, they are virtually line drawings. The dialog is so simple, you have a hard time believing even these one-dimensional characters would utter them. L'Amour usually has something to say about honor, loyalty, and duty - and says it well. Not this time.
The characters are not just colorless, they are virtually line drawings. The dialog is so simple, you have a hard time believing even these one-dimensional characters would utter them. L'Amour usually has something to say about honor, loyalty, and duty - and says it well. Not this time.
September 25, 2024
Louis L’Amour’s Carlow is a simple, fun romp of a Western, full of the Western genre trappings that make it unique; stoic, strong men with six shooters and rifles, rivalries on both sides of the law, gold robberies, Indians.
It’s short, and honestly a lot of fun. It kept me throughout the whole entirety of the book, and I clearly read it in approximately three to four days. L’Amour has a catalogue full of great stories, and this one is no exception.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to get into Westerns, with its shorter page count making it a beginner-friendly book to pick up, along with it’s simple premise; a tall tale about an outlaw, a U.S. Marshal, and a whole lot of gold.
It’s short, and honestly a lot of fun. It kept me throughout the whole entirety of the book, and I clearly read it in approximately three to four days. L’Amour has a catalogue full of great stories, and this one is no exception.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to get into Westerns, with its shorter page count making it a beginner-friendly book to pick up, along with it’s simple premise; a tall tale about an outlaw, a U.S. Marshal, and a whole lot of gold.
June 20, 2023
This is one of L'Amour's better novels. (And before you dismiss him, note that anybody who wrote that many novels and sold that many copies has to have something going for him.)
It is a relatively standard plot - Anti-hero sets out to steal a couple of million dollars, hero/friend sets out to stop him, the desert and hostile Seri Indians interfere with the plan. But the struggle to survive, and the interaction of the characters are very well done.
If you've never read a L'Amour, this is a good place to give him a try.
It is a relatively standard plot - Anti-hero sets out to steal a couple of million dollars, hero/friend sets out to stop him, the desert and hostile Seri Indians interfere with the plan. But the struggle to survive, and the interaction of the characters are very well done.
If you've never read a L'Amour, this is a good place to give him a try.
June 8, 2020
This is a delightful book. The two main characters drive the plot. Ben Cowan is the straight character if this was a comedy piece. He is rock steady and a U.S. Marshall. Bijah Catlow is Ben's childhood friend and while he is a good person he has ended up on the other side of the law. This book is at times funny, but it is a truly different for L'Amour. If you are familiar with the Robert Parker Westerns. This book is similar. I truly enjoyed it.
May 27, 2024
I didn’t read the Spanish Edition and can’t seem to access the review spot for the English edition, but here is my review here for the English version.
Excellent story with lots of real history and geography mixed in. I read it in one sitting, because it held my interest and made me want to see the outcome! I am reading all Louis L’Amour novels in order and enjoy all of them for the escapism of the Old West!
Excellent story with lots of real history and geography mixed in. I read it in one sitting, because it held my interest and made me want to see the outcome! I am reading all Louis L’Amour novels in order and enjoy all of them for the escapism of the Old West!
August 25, 2017
This one I liked. It made me cry, and strangely, not for the poor mules. I like the hero-rascal contrast. I like the simple storytelling without too much emphasis on romance (which I'm not sure L'Amour does very well anyway), and I like the happy ending. I also like the references to characters in other books, but I generally like it when that happens.
February 22, 2018
"In New Mexico," Rosita said gently, "I have a cousin, whose name was Drusilla Alvarado. She married a gringo who wore a badge...she is very happy, senor."
The first postcard came a year later, from Malheur County, in Oregon.
It said simply: We named the first one Ben.
And down Sonora way a boy rides the range whose name is Abijah.
Ah, this mans books are absolutely amazing!!
The first postcard came a year later, from Malheur County, in Oregon.
It said simply: We named the first one Ben.
And down Sonora way a boy rides the range whose name is Abijah.
Ah, this mans books are absolutely amazing!!
September 11, 2021
Its...fine. like it's not one I'd really reread or recommend anyone. All of the characters are decent but dont leave much of an impression after you finish reading. The stakes never felt high when they should have. But it is a decent run of the mill western to pass the time if that's what your looking for. It accomplishes that well. And the adventure was fun.
Read
January 4, 2022Another good one!!
I know that Louis L'Amour researches everything in regards to his books. The history behind the places where the stories took place, and the history of what the people were like that lived during the time the story took place; which makes the stories authentic and believable. As if they could be nonfiction instead of fiction.
I know that Louis L'Amour researches everything in regards to his books. The history behind the places where the stories took place, and the history of what the people were like that lived during the time the story took place; which makes the stories authentic and believable. As if they could be nonfiction instead of fiction.
May 12, 2022
This was a really good read. I have this and 'Son of a Wanted Man' lingering about my car and backpack. It went faster than expected, which was great since I only read over it when I had nothing else with me.
I've never been one for westerns but Louis L'Amour definitely knows how to spin a yarn.
I've never been one for westerns but Louis L'Amour definitely knows how to spin a yarn.
May 15, 2025
My paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather were Nigerians of Louis L’amour. I stumbled across a box their old paperbacks in my Dad’s attic while doing some spring cleaning. I knew the title from the film and started reading it. This novel did NOT disappoint! Great read! Excellent story of heroism, the old west, and an unusual friendship set in the Arizona/mexico border.
June 25, 2018
Roger, Village patron, June 2018, 4 stars:
Bijah Catlow (a 'good-guy' outlaw) and Ben Cowman have been friends since childhood. All that is about to change as Cowman tries to stop Catlow from making the worst decision of his life.
Bijah Catlow (a 'good-guy' outlaw) and Ben Cowman have been friends since childhood. All that is about to change as Cowman tries to stop Catlow from making the worst decision of his life.
November 9, 2018
L’Amour is a very good story teller. First time I read a western. It’s always interesting to read a book where the characters don’t have cellphones, GPS or the Internet. Characters has to solve their problems with skill and luck. Fun.
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