Fair Blows the Wind

Talon and Chantry #1

by Louis L'Amour

Shipwrecked on the coast of North Carolina, his companions killed, Tatton Chantry is alone--and ready for action. In the old world he fought wars, skirmishes, duels. Now, in the wilderness of America, this swashbuckling hero takes up against pirates, Spanish fortune seekers, savage Indians. Aided by a beautiful Peruvian woman, he braves the fierce challenges of the New World--always, like a true Chantry, with his expert hand on the hilt on his faithful silver sword.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Historical, Pirates, Action

262 pages, Leather Bound

First published October 1, 1978

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

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know L'Amour is known for his westerns, but my favorite books of his are his early American and European tales. This book fit the bill. The Walking Drum and Jubal Sackett are some of my other top Louis picks.

[R. S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis L'amour is very popular among the men in my family. My father and both of my grandfathers speak of him with awe and affection, and his books have a place of honor on their shelves.
I, in the other hand, have never read a Louis L'amour novel. I started Walking Drum back when I was in high school, but I didn't get very far into it (the fault was with me, not with the book - I rarely had the patience to finish books in those days).

So I decided that it might be time to try L'amour again. I casually asked my grandfather what his favorite L'amour book was, mistakenly thinking that it would be a brief conversation. Not so. Apparently the man has been waiting patiently for the past 60-odd years for someone to ask him that question, quietly biding his time until he could pass on the unique magic that is Louis L'amour. Before long he had produced a stack of seven books (Fair Blows the Wind being one of them) for me to "start with" so that I could "get a feel for what L'amour is about." Well, there was no turning back at that point.

Fair Blows the Wind begins with Tatton Chantry being stranded on an island off the coast of the Carolinas. Before long he comes across a group of shipwrecked Spaniards. There's a pretty lady involved, of course, as well as some pirates and plenty of gold and silver.
The bulk of the story, however, was in the form of a long flashback to Chantry's youth in 16th century Europe. Tatton travels throughout Europe learning from the various people he encounters: a gypsy, a Scottish warrior, a playwright, a Spanish nobleman, etc. The characters come in and out of the story abruptly, and some we never hear from again.
The last 30 pages were by far the most exciting. The ending was abrupt, but satisfying. L'amour managed to tie up all of the loose ends in just a few pages.

This book was probably an odd choice for my introduction to L'amour, since it's not one of his typical works, but I enjoyed it. There's swashbuckling action, witty dialogue, and a touch of romance; what more can you ask for? If you're a fan of Treasure Island or The Three Musketeers, then you would probably enjoy this book.

[Aimee Morales Clear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise in how enjoyable it was. I guess I'm a typical "judge a book by the cover" gal (although I try not to be) and the picture on my cover showed a man with a ship in the background. I had always thought I preferred LL's woodsy/mountain/southwest terrain located novels, but this book proved me wrong in that I loved the sea-fairing plots of LL's books. I finished this book about a week ago, and if my memory serves me correctly it is a book placed in the late 1500's (an age I hardly ever seek out to read about) where the man becomes stranded on an island and meets up with a group of people also stranded. Throughout his present day occurrences the main character recalls to mind his past and what steps he took to get him to this point. When remembering his life he often would wonder if he fought such a hard life only to be stranded on an island to die. Tatton Chantry (The main character) continually emboldens himself and recalls his goals and hopes.

This story was incredibly written as it took me on a journey throughout the cabins and poopdecks of a ship, to a tropical island, to the pubs and taverns of england, the moors of Scotland and Ireland, the swamps of the Carolinas, the highways of long ago, and the stone castles of ancient descendants. When Tatton was shivering cold from the rain and violent seas I too felt cold and in need of a warm cup of coffee, when Tatton was starving in the woods and smells the faint wasp of bacon and a fire burning, I too smelled it and craved for it. LL did an amazing job of taking me back in time and to a different world. When someone says a book can take you anywhere, I'll always think of this book.

A great read and I truly recommend!

[Mackenzie Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louis L'Amour has almost outdone himself in this one! It is capturing, and adds interesting, new perspectives from flashbacks. The main character, Tatton Chantry, is a gallant Irish gentleman with a rogues skill set. The book places him on the shores of wild America, where he is marooned accidentally, and thrust into a whirlpool of conflicting interests involving treasures, maidens and political betrothals, all the while recouning his earlier exploits in flashbacks.having been burned from his home by the English, he sets out to make a fortune to buy back his homeland and rebuild his once prestigious home.

The book takes turns as he makes enemies, friends, and alliances, continually travelling broad, without a definite course, but with a final destination. He ranges all over the world, in London, Ireland, Scotland, a collection of Islands off Scotlands caost, including the hebrides as a soldier, a trader, sailor and even a vagabond.Finally he ends up in America where he must confront his oldest enemies and use all of his skills and abilities to escape the hornets nest he's in. Filled with great desprictions and depictions of battles,scenes and conversations, thought provoking without being too complicated,and a truly captivating book, Fair Blows The Wind would be a good book for nearly anyone to read.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tattan Chantry leaves Ireland after the British kill his father and burns down his home. In London he becomes interested in trade and invests in a trading venture to the New World after taking part in several European wars. Marooned in the Carolinas and attacked by hostile Indians he has to survive and try to return to England. The Carolinas provide a golden opportunity to achieve his dreams.

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Swashbuckling-adventure-stars

[*Stani* · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit all over the place, story wise, but once it gets going it’s a very good read.

A story of the first “Chantry” in the Chantry series.

His name is not really Chantry but since his family was a wealthy and of Royal blood in Ireland, hunted down and killed, his father made him change his name and helped him escape Ireland before he was himself murdered.

The story itself starts in the Carolinas before they were settled and most parts of the East Coast were either Spanish or French.

Chantry is a sailing merchant and left on the shores of the ‘New World’ after an attack from Native American tribe that killed some of his crew.

He escapes and runs into a party of Spanish Dons who are escorting a beautiful young girl believed to be a princess from South America to be married against her will to a rich man in Spain.

******

There is gold involved and of course the young princess as well, who Chantry wants to rescue.

The story goes back and forth from his time on the New Continent and how he escaped Ireland as a young boy and made it to America.

Very good read, lots of plot twists, action, bad guys etc. that is typical of L’Amour but I particularly liked the history and the day to day live in England and London as he dwelt deeper into the subject.

Definitely recommend.

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read Louis L'Amour before and wasn't sure I would like this. It's not a western - the hero is an Irish fugitive in Elizabethan times. And at first I didn't much like it. It starts in medias res, near the end of the story; I didn't care about the hero yet and had trouble keeping the other characters straight. And why was he so eager for treasure?

But then the narrative goes back in time to the boyhood of the orphaned "Tatton Chantry", as he struggles to stay alive, fleeing a personal enemy and the English government through England, Scotland, Spain, France, and the Low Countries, while growing up, learning swordsmanship, fighting in general, and seamanship. Ironically, he serves in England's navy. He finds a series of father figures, and learns to earn a little money by writing and much more by trading. We find out why he wants to earn more than a living.

So by the time we get back to where the book starts, among the barrier islands of what is now South Carolina, I cared about Chantry and wanted him to survive and to get some treasure. I devoured the latter part of the book.

I was intrigued to meet in these pages Robert Greene, a real Elizabethan playwright who was famous in his time. I just learned about him last week in a book about Shakespeare. The thief lord Cutting Ball, a real associate of Greene's, also appears briefly in the novel. I have to give the author credit for NOT yielding to the temptation of making Shakespeare a character, though Chantry was briefly in London after his plays became popular.

Parts of this book reminded me of Robert Louis Stevenson, especially Kidnapped and Catriona, though set at least 150 years earlier; other parts reminded me of Alexandre Dumas, pere. But it's its own thing. Tom Sawyer would have loved it.

I plan to read more L'Amour, especially considering I just bought a bunch at a book sale. I'll try a Western next.

This book is completely clean. I don't even recall any bad language.

[Juergen John Roscher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Date Read: 12-September-2010

I read this book – Fair Blows the Wind” by Louis L’Amour - for a book discussion group. I liked the story and the fact that it was not a western novel typically done by L’Amour but one that takes place mostly in Europe before the population of North America.

A few things that I learned from this book:
(1) The influence that a father can have on a son; especially a father, who tries to provide a good education and example.
(2) The kindness of strangers can make a difference in one’s life.
(3) Hard training is required to develop great skill such as swordsmanship
(4) The pen is a powerful friend and a horrible foe.
(5) In Louis L’Amour books the good guy always wins in the end.

I have read several Louis L’Amour books and they seem to have a similar story line. The story is developed along this format:
• Boy has a rough childhood and has to grow up earlier than other boys.
• Boy learns through studying books and the help of kind strangers.
• Boy becomes a man.
• Man ends up developing a hated enemy.
• Man meets attractive women.
• Man and women fall in love but never actually let each other know.
• Eventually, the man ends up killing the hated enemy.
• Man and women marry and live happily ever after.

I would recommend this book to those who like Louis L’Amour or those who enjoy a good action packed story.

Quotes from Fair Blows the Wind

Tatton Chantry and Robert Vypont – Topic: Father teaching Tatton - pg 62

“I have never been to school. My father was my teacher.”
“Ah? A man of rare education, no doubt.”
“He was that. He read me from the writings of Homer when I was young, and from Virgil, too. He taught me much of history, and not of our country only, but others as well.”
“We walked much together, and he instructed me then. We also talked with vistors -“

Tatton Chantry and Robert Vypont – Topic: Books - pg 70

“… What is the book?” I asked.
“Maimonides”
“You are a Jew?”
“I am English, but one finds wisdom in all languages. I read him often, for he has much to tell.” He looked at me. “How do you know of Maimonides?”
“My father read him also. We had many, many books and my father would often read to me. Sometimes we talked of them.”
“I have few books now, but they are old friends to me.”

Robert Vypont to Tatton Chantry – Topic: Wealth – pg 71
“Wealth? Well … perhaps. It has its benefits, but is an empty thing in itself.”

Robert Vypont to Tatton Chantry – Topic: Happiness – pg 71
“… I have education and once I had position. Now I am nobody, but I am happy.”

Tatton Chantry – topic: Teaching – pg 73
“Only you could teach me that,” I said, “for cannot the teacher always teach more than he knows?”

Tatton Chantry – topic: Preparedness and Fighting – pg 92
“… but my father warned me I would have enemies, and to survive I must be prepared. I hope never to fight,” I added, in all sincerity, “but experience has taught me that wishing to avoid a fight will not always be enough.”

Fergis MacAskill to Tatton Chantry – Topic: Savagery – pg 120
“… No part of the world, I’m thinking, has a sole claim on savagery. There’s a bit of it in us all, given the time and place and circumstances.”

Tatton Chantry – topic: Learning – pg 134 and 135
“He taught me … some things. He said there much more to come, but that is true always. The well of learning is one that never ceases to flow and we have only to drink of its waters.”
…”There are races and nations of men, but the land of learning has no boundaries, neither here nor in the heavens. We are guided by the lamp of curiosity, the light of desiring to know. Follow it. …”

Tosti Padget – topic: Difficulties in Writing – pg 154
… “I have not the will to persist. I tell myself I shall change, but I do not. I try to hold myself to a schedule, but I am diverted by the flights and fancy in my own mind. I dream of it, want it, talk of it, think of it, but I do not do it. Writing is a lonely business and must be forever so, and I am a social being. I want and need others about me and the loneliness of my room is a hateful thing.”

Richard Field – topic: character and persistence – pg 156 and 157
.. “He would say writing was not only talent, but it was character, the character of the writer. Many are called, he would say, but few are chosen, and it is character that chooses them. In the last analysis it is persistence that matters.”

Tatton Chantry – topic: Evil – pg 185
If men of goodwill would not step forward to war against evil, then who would?

Tatton Chantry – topic: Luck – pg 192
How often it is that a whim may alter the course of our existence! How often the simple decision whether to go right of left when one leaves a doorway can change so much! A man may turn to the right and walk straightway into all manner of evil, and to the left in all manner of good.

Tatton Chantry – topic: Possesions – pg 249
… a man cannot be free until he has possessions – and then he is no longer free but bound by them.

[Gossamer Treadwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

very slay

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one can take away from L'Amour's ability to hook a reader in the first few lines.

My name is Tatton Chantry and unless the gods are kind to rogues, I shall die within minutes.
My two companions are dead, and those who came to this shore with us have fled, believing me already killed. Their boat bobs upon a gray sea flecked with the white of foam and soon they shall be alongside the Good Catherine.

I am alone. I am left without food, without a musket, with naught but the clothes in which I stand . . . and a sword. I also have its small companion, a knife.

But what man can claim to be alone when he holds a sword? A man with a sword can bring a kingdom down! Many a man has a fortune who began with no less and no more. I stand upon the outer edge of a continent, and who is to say that continent cannot be mine?

But first, I must live . . . and to stay alive I must be brave, but more than brave, I must be wary.
Crouched at the base of a gnarled and wind-racked tree, I wait with pounding heart. For they will come now, for me. My two companions are dead, and they must know that I am alone. One against many.


Fair Blows the Wind is the second audio release in the Talon and Chantry series, but in time frame it takes place long before Borden Chantry (19th century American West) because this one is set in 16th century and follows Tatton Chantry, the first of the Chantrys.

As you can see, this one opened with a breath-catching situation. Tatton is marooned on the Carolina coast of North America, natives are active, he has little, but a knife and his wits. He encounters a party of Spanish and more adventure follows, but not before there is a long foray into his colorful past.

Chantry is an adventurer and looks for the big opportunity. He has had to fight his entire life since the English murdered his family back in Ireland and he leads them on a merry chase to and fro over the British Isles.

Like many of this author's books, there is a lot of detail about what the character thinks and believes, about what he has learned, and how the world works. The philosophizing and memories of the past are sandwiched in his present. Another typical trait is that Chantry is not content just to make it through life and moan about his losses, but he goes for the big chance and makes for an exciting and engaging underdog to root for. He gets in so many tight spots, but his wits and skill get him through along with the grit of a survivor. I could sense how the author was setting this hero up to be the father of a family line and of a breed of men and women who would tame the frontier.

The pace was uneven because of the flips into deep thought and exciting danger, but I can't say I ever got bored. Chantry is well developed, but most other characters are left to speak and act in and out of his life with less development. Some are friends, some rogues, and some are quite villainous. Chantry has a roguish, piratical sense of humor and I love how that shines through in his dealings.

As to narration work, I thought John Keating was exceptional. He carried the listener through several of those longer monologue passages and captured the essence of Tatton and the story. His accent work was great. Enjoyed my first time listening to his narration.

In summary, it's a bold adventure tale and was a pleasure to experience. I definitely want more of the series. I would recommend this one not only to those who enjoy Western Frontier Fiction, but straight up adventuresome historical fiction with great details and authentic 16th century feel.

My thanks to Random House Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not one of L'Amour's best works, although it is engaging enough in parts. To me it felt like he had a short story in mind, then decided to expand it into a longer story by adding in background in a flashback. In truth, the flashback feels so much like a different tale than the initial story is fits into that by the time it is over you've nearly forgotten the original tale.

Tatton Chantry is shipwrecked on the coast of America, in one of the outer islands along the Carolinas. There he encounters various groups and learns of a treasure, and then we are taken to Chantry's youth as he travels England and Scotland learning and growing, trying to make his way. Most of the novel is this flashback of Tatton's youth, introducing the main antagonist and explaining where he learned his skills, even fighting in a war in France.

While the stilted, affected old-fashioned language served well in Sackett's Land etc, it feels a bit awkward here, and doesn't flow as well as L'Amour's usual style.

[Audrey Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not make the mistake of thinking Louis L'Amour is just a Western writer! This book is a great barn burner and swashbuckler which takes place in Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Spain, France and a titch in the New World. Our protagonist is launched into the world at an early age when he loses everything, including his family. He joins up with several strong and interesting characters who teach him how to be a savvy swordsman and trader, and who help him become a man. This is adventure storytelling at its best, in the vein of "The Count of Monte Cristo."

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoy reading Louis L Amour books this character becomes a swash Buckler, and travel around the Old world in his adventures across Britain, Italy, Spain, France and the new world This a good read the story line moves around a lot But keeps the reader involved, I would classify this book as good a Hondo for Action and adventure just in a different era.

[Camille Siddartha · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a king of Ireland whos family gets killed in a fierce take over by the british crown. He travels and mets the love of his life and wins a sword duel that he should have lost if he had not taken the time to learn while he was abroad. excellent read.

[Bo Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Readed This on Paperback Format .it's a Good Story About Talon Chantry. Chantry Goes Around the World He Got Shipwreck and All of His Companions Got Kill in North Carolina. Its is Full of Character and Drama. This If You're Into Westerns You will Love it.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't want to put this one down. :)

[Baron Rothschild · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is by far, my most favorite book to read. It takes place in the time of Shakespeare. About a kings son whose family is slaughtered and finds love and becomes a master swordsman and great writer...

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Challenge 35: Author with same letter starting first and last names

Oh, Louis L'Amour. I selected this one from our ragged collection of second hand westerns that I might have read before but don't really remember because in many ways they run together. These are action packed and heroic yet, without fail, books that put me to sleep when I read before bedtime. Tatton Chantry (who notes many times that this is not his real name, yet never reveals his real name, to my irritation) is on a quest to buy back family land and defend himself from the ever evil Raif. As might be predicted, all is well that ends well. A very comfortable read.

[Gregory Mele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Famed for his frontier and Western novels, here Louis L'Amour turns his able hand to a 16th-century swashbuckler Filled with everything from the English occupation of Ireland to the Spanish armada, to a ship carrying Inca gold. A rollicking adventure that feels a bit like what you might get if Pip from Great Expectations had run off with Long John Silver and then wandered into a Rafael Sabatini novel. The only drawback is the long flashback is so much of the novel the contemporary storyline resolves too briefly.

[Keturah Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

*listened to audio book*

Feels like Louis L'Amour tried to write a G. A. Henty fan-fictuon. A fun adventure novel about a young Irish boy trying to become a great swordsman. Someone recommended it as a favorite novel of theirs, as Louis L'Amour's one non-western and therefore (in their opinion) his only good book.

I enjoyed it, for what it was worth.

[Franklin Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this quick-moving adventure, we meet a mysterious Irishman who is seeking his fortune by sailing to "The New World"...America.
The characters are colorful and inviting...gypsy swordsmen, ruffians, English Lord's and ladies, poets, Kings, and even an Incan princess.
The story is safe for kids to read, no bad language or sex scenes, just exciting action.
I removed a star because the ending felt a bit rushed, as if Mr. L'Amour was s trying to stay under a certain word-count.
Good if you're in the mood for a quick, swashbuckling adventure.

[Rebecca Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Author & An Excellent Story

"Fair Blows the Wind," is another novel by author and Story-Teller, Louis L'Amour. This novel was written in a different style than his other novels and it took me a minute to see where thins may lead, so please continue to read this novel even though at first it seems to o have a slow start. This is a book that I will read again later, just to get every subtle detail I may have missed.

The book begins with Captain Tatton Chantery in his present situation but then switches to his much earlier life when his Irish family was royalty, but murdered by English Soldiers. Tatton's father was very wise and he prepared his son for what was surely to happen to the entire Irish Royal Family. His father located places that Tat could use as escape routes when the English arrived to massacre the entire Irish Royal Family, even the children. Tat was very disturbed and insisted on remaining to fight the English. His father was adamant that he was to run away as quickly as possible utilizing one of the planed escape routes in order that the bloodline would continue,.

Tat's mother was already deceased but he did witness the attack on his father, as he was shouting for Tat to run! The Englishman that murdered his father got a good look at Tat, so he was on the run for many years. During this time he was fortunate to meet many people who showed concern and even love for this child on the run.

This is simply an awesome book with a change in writing style which is more evidence of the author's excellent writing skills. Read and then re-read to more carefully understand Tat's struggles as he is on the run and those who assisted him versus those who were his enemies and hoping to kill him!

[Arliegh Kovacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book my husband and I read together (he is a huge Louis L'Amour fan), one of what we call our 'dinner books' because we take turns reading to each other during meals.
It was his turn to pick a book and this is the one he chose.
This had a slow start but when he switched to the back story (which happens at about the time of the Spanish Armada), I was hooked. Tatton Chantry is the name he adopts when he escapes from the English who have murdered his Irish family and burned their home to the soil. As all true L'Amour heroes he goes on to learn (this time, swordsmanship) from the best of the best. He works at many diverse jobs, travels through several countries, makes friends of just the right people. He is shipwrecked, meets men he will fight, and a woman he will woo (I usually like L'Amour's strong women characters but I didn't care for this one, I admit).
If you like that sort of hero, you'll like this book.

[Karen Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never in a million years did I ever think I would read a Louis L'Amour book. But the cover - who could resist a cover like this?! And the description on the flap just lured me right in. The first few pages or maybe the whole first chapter were pretty rough and I almost gave up, but boy am I glad I didn't: I loved it! It was such a good, old-fashioned romp. A boy burned out of his home, his dad killed, has to run for his life. He learns to live off his wits, makes friends with the most unlikely and influential people, grows into an educated, mysterious, swashbuckling swordsman. I was a little disappointed at the ending. It seemed like the author ran out of steam or ideas and just kind of threw it all in and then stopped. Overall, though, it was very enjoyable.

[Brandon Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a definite 4 out of 5 stars. It starts off when captain Tatton Chantry who went to go find water on the shoreline of the coast of Carolina where he was attacked by Indians and left by his crew. Throughout his struggle in the wilderness he finds help amongst spanish fortune seekers who abandoned there ship after it was "sinking." In the wilderness he has dreams about his childhood where his father was killed and his house burned. He wanted to be the best swordsman in the world. Now pirates take the spanish fortune seekers. This is where he finds their "sunken" ship and has all the wealth he dreamed about as a child but...he has to save his new friends by fighting the pirates...will he make it out alive? You have to read it to find out.

[Fred LaMotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the greatest tales I've ever read. Should be read aloud. I think many of LL's best stories were meant to be told, not just read on the page, because so much of what he learned was by fireside listening to people telling their tales, as he traveled the world, like the young hero of this saga. The novel is fraught with wonderful references to great books, so important to LL in his self-education: Homer, Scott, Al-Biruni's History of India. With its constant plot twists and bold characters, this could have been written by Dickens or Dumas - except that in Louis' writing every scene sparkles with precise details of real history. Amazing book, set in late 16th Century Ireland, London, Spain, the coast of Carolina... It's the opening of the Talon and Chantry series.

[Injuneer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of l’amour’s best. If he hadn’t overcooked the flashback, would have given it 5 stars.

[Gin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have read all of L'Amour's acknowledged books, and own most of them. The first one I read was "Last of the Breed" after which I had to see why people liked the author's other works too. I suspect the era of "trashing" the entire Western genre is responsible in part for the neglect one of our country's greatest story-tellers has been accorded. L'Amour had a way with words and with stories that is unmatched in modern literature. Mark Twain and O'Henry are given more credit for less interesting works.

[Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my house growing up one thing we had an abundance of was old Louis L'amour paper back novels. Most of these were 160 some page westerns but one day I picked up this thicker than normal book that had more of a swashbuckling* pirate type character on the cover than the usualy lone gunfighter figure. I started reading and it quickly became one of the most fun reads I've ever had. For anyone looking for a really fun adventure filled with pirates, indians, swordfights and duels I highly recommend it.