Off the Mangrove Coast: Stories

by Louis L'Amour

From the jungles of Borneo to the hidden canyons of the American West, from small-town fight clubs to a Parisian café at the end of World War II, here are tales of betrayal and revenge, courage and cowardice, glory and greed, as only Louis L'Amour can tell them.

Here is L'Amour at his very best. A charismatic boxer itches to fight all comers—but his only shot at the championship is in beating the man who ruined his father....

A beautiful movie star finds a dead man in her apartment and begs her ex-lover, a tough private eye, to clear her name....

A reluctant hero guides a diamond-hunting couple up a river ruled by headhunters and pirates in pursuit of a legendary stone and the mysterious warlord who guards it....

A young renegade sails the South China Sea with a trio of dangerous men in search of treasure, but when it's time to divide the prize, can he trust any of them?

Combining electrifying action scenes, vivid historical detail, and characters who seem to leap off the page, these spectacular stories honor the legend of Louis L'Amour.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Short Stories, Adventure, Mystery, Classics, Action

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 2, 2000

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

[Philip]

"Did you ever cross the South China Sea in a forty-foot boat during the typhoon season?"

Odd way to start a story, as I'd assume for most of us the answer is "um...no?"

Anyway...I thought this would be more of l'Amour's "tales of the South Pacific" as in the earlier short story collections Night Over the Solomons: Stories and West from Singapore: Stories, both of which I enjoyed, (the latter much more so, although it was the former that introduced me to the "smatchet" is — look it up). But turns out only two of these previously unpublished stories here are set in the region: the longest (and also the best), "The Diamond of Jeru" which is a specifically Borneo-set adventure,* and the shorter (and inferior) title story. As for the rest, I'm afraid they're either forgettable or (in my case) outright skippable; two are boxing stories, two are crime stories, and one is a Western, (and I've never been a fan of l'Amour's old-timey Westerns).

No dates are available for when these were written; apparently these were "found" stories put together by L'Amour's children/estate some dozen years after his death. L'Amour seems to have lived a pretty colorful life prior to getting pigeonholed as "the Western guy" after WWII (boxer, globetrotting merchant seaman, etc.), and it's mildly interesting to ponder what he might have become it he'd continued writing across a wider variety of genres instead of going full cowboy. Ah, well...

* This story also includes one amusingly/depressingly prescient line: "In my travels around the world, I've noticed that identifying yourself as an American never helps; it just makes the locals get violent or want more money."

"Diamond of Jeru" was made into a 2001 TV movie, starring box-office-poison actor Billy Zane, and is available on YouTube. But this is FYI only; I am NOT suggesting anyone actually watch it!
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(This is the sixth of a half dozen or so used/cheap "read-and-toss" books brought on my current trip back to Taipei.)

[Greg]

This is clearly some of Louis L'Amour's early writing, a little rougher than his later books, but still enjoyable. While it doesn't have the pizzaz of his westerns for me, the short stories in this small volume are interesting for what they reveal about his early vagabond years. They are a jumble of seafaring stories, professional boxing, adventure stories, and detective stories, most of which he seemed to have some experience at one time or another. I have always liked L'Amour's storytelling, and there aren't many of his books that I haven't read multiple times. To find this one at the public library's annual "castoff" sale was a pleasure.

[A Turtles Nest Book Reviews]

I loved it! Louie L'Amour is awesome. In this collection of short stories, even though I loved them all, my favorite was The Diamond of Jeru.

[Vincent Darlage]

This was an excellent collection of short adventure stories, proving that Louis L'amour can write engaging fiction in virtually any adventure genre, not just Westerns.

Fighters Should Be Hungry" - Man, Louis L'amour knows how to write action, and he knows how to write a boxing story. This was gripping, with great characters, great action, and great motivation, and a bit of a romance subplot that I miss in today's action stories.

"Off the Mangrove Coast" was a great story about a sunken treasure hunt off a mangrove forest by four untrustworthy men. Brutal and brilliant. Such a great read. Louis L'amour was a master.

"The Cross and the Candle": AMAZING character story, just showcasing how L'amour can capture a reader just with some mystique, atmosphere, and a couple of characters.

"The Diamond of Jeru" was an incredible adventure set in Borneo, with a guide hired, then fired, but feeling his would-be clients are going to be murdered, he follows them and enacts a rescue. I've read recently about how impossible the Amazon is to cross, and L'amour made Borneo's jungle so realistic, with disease rife and every wound festering. Intense story with a nice hint of romance, even if it was a bit unorthodox.

"Secret of Silver Springs" was a Western. A man comes to a campfire of another, and soon joined by a third man, all strangers to each other, but willing to break the law to get some money, so they team up for a venture, but accidentally end up heroes.

"The Unexpected Corpse" was a private eye story, a hard-boiled detective bit. A girl calls her friend, a private eye, to help her out of a jam when she discovers an unexpected corpse in her bedroom. The police believe she did it, and the private eye has to solve the case in two days.

"The Rounds Don't Matter" was another boxing story. This is about an up-and-comer who has to deal with the mob trying to fix fights. He finds out they were behind the death of a friend of his, and manages to fix things so he can get revenge in more ways than one. Excellent story.

"Time of Terror" was an interesting story of an insurance agent discovering a man he had identified as deceased three years ago to be alive! The agent had authorized the release of more than a million dollars to the supposed widow. The man decides the agent must die, and this story goes into the head of the agent as he works out how to terrify the killer so he can escape. Effective story. I was impressed. This was very different from the standard Louis L'amour adventure story, and really showed how versatile he was as an author.

If all you know of Louis L'amour are his Westerns, I highly recommend this. Even if you know he is excellent at any genre, I recommend this. Top notch writing, interesting characters in interesting situations.

[Harron68]

Among L'Amour's short stories, he did more than westerns. This collection, among WITH THESE HANDS covers some of them. I've read hundreds of his shorts, and avoided until now these, for the reason that they WEREN'T of the West.
The variety of settings and the occasional (and welcomed) pieces where instead of man vs. man, it's man vs nature. Those are for me the gems. I have less respect for the stories that feature prize fighting. There is only so much one can write about punches, how and where they strike. Fighters' stubborn determination in the face of now proven permanent brain damage of the avatars readers imagine themselves, is no longer acceptable. Sadly, newer generations and those who consider themselves 'young bucks' haven't valued bodies and life yet. Ultimate fighting, pro wrestling and now contact sports like football, hockey, soccer and numerous others should long ago have been made safer. I know this is an opinion and at most tangent to the tales, but in this age we ought to know better. We shouldn't celebrate the ancient combative sports. We know the results and the cost in human health.
in sum, reducing the star count due to the fighting stories, I value this book as worth three stars.

[Daniel Mccallister]

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. This is the first I've read from the great Louis L'Amour. Obviously he is known for his extension number of western novels. However, this group of stories only contains one.

It's easy to chalk a lot of the stories up as outdated, uber-manly fiction in the mold of the old pulp stories. This is true. But it also highlights L'Amours immense talent as a storyteller and shows his underused ability to take almost any setting and idea and breath life into it.

The Diamond of Jeru was why I bought the series and it didn't disappoint. Even though his son rewrote and edited the story, the bulk of it remains. A fun adventure in the frame of a short story.

[M.]

Having read a host of Louis L’Amour books as a young adult holed up on our family ranch for weeks each summer with only my grandmother and Uncle for company this collection was picked up at a book sale for a quarter out of nostalgia and sitting on my shelves for years. It transported me back to my childhood on the ranch as well as reminded me what a great story teller Louis was. A man I would have loved to sit down to a meal with. A glimpse into a time and world that no longer exists, knowing the man travelled the roads and places of his stories and that any small detail could have been from his actual travels/life is always a fun thought. Some stories were better than others but overall a great collection. Inspires me to read more of his work. Thinking The Walking Drum next.

[Erin Moxam]

Alright, so this is the first book by Louis L'Amour I've ever read, and it was a lot of fun. This bunch of short stories is straight action and adventure, it made me think of when I was a kid and used to read Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, gave me kind of the same vibe. The rough and tumble characters, the wild west, adventures in the jungle, looking for TREASURE, that's right, treasure! I enjoyed these stories, quick, satisfying reads, no words or plot points wasted, lots of action. If you want some adventure in your life and don't want to slog to get it, you can't go wrong here, lots of fun.

[Lizzie]

This is totally outside my usual realm of interests but wow what adventure! I loved these stories! The time period and the stories. I couldn't believe how fast i was hooked, I was prepared to dislike it since the first story is about boxing and I really couldn't care less about boxing but I was on the edge of my seat like I was watching it in person! Every story was vivid like that! I felt like Indiana Jones! Definitely give this classic author a chance if you haven't yet. This book has made a L'amour fan out of me for sure!

[Jay Wright]

Yes, Louis L'Amour wrote other stories that did not include horses, cowboys and the Wild West. He wrote of real life experiences in Southeast Asia. The stories are good and I enjoyed them. I suppose L'Amour was a good writer due to his experiences. Indulge yourself if you are a fan and take a different look.

[Brian Miner]

Like most collections of short stories, some are very good, and others were alright. The stories here are interesting and fun. It is worth reading. I give it a 3.5 overall. I finished it less than a day after starting, so the stories were engaging enough to keep me interested, and quick enough to keep it moving along.

[Matthew McDill]

This is a collection of short stories published after L'Amour's death. Only one of the stories is a western. Otherwise they are modern stories (40s and 50s?). Most of them are enjoyable but some are mediocre.

[Kris]

This reminds me of my dad's stories. An interesting read from a different era.

[Ameliedanjou]

This is one of his short story collections, set in a variety of places. Always a good read.

[Clint Walker Jr]

Excellent book Louis L`amours always been a favorite author of mine!

[James E Lemire]

True l'Amour

Excellent writings. We are given insight into the life of boxer with that air of mystery. The "diamond of Jeru" was my favorite.

[Rich]

Excellent group of short stories.

[Robert]

This book becomes a book about boxing, told by Louis Lamour,(a former professional Boxer) a man that knows what he is talking about. This was a Good Read.

[Bill]

'Enjoyed these more than his western short stories.

[Robert Lariviere]

A good colection of western stpries.

[Dale]

Fun Short stories. Mostly, not westerns.

[MICHAEL A. PARD]

Short stories

A collection o great short stories. I prefer novels over short stories. I like a novel because it allows me to settle into a story for the long hall.

[Gary Lewis]

good short stories from L'Amour.

[Daniel Uhrlass]

Great stories, fast-paced, full of adventure, suspicions, and twists and turns.

[Roy Owen]

Nine good short stories, typically full of action. Good read.

[Brent]

3.45

[Linda]

Only read a few of these as many were not of interest.

[jason]

A solid set of stories. Highly entertaining and keeps u on youre toes.

[Katy Lovejoy]

He's pretty good, especially considering I don't usually like this genre

[Zojo]

Classic L’Amour short stories! These are entertaining and a fun read.