THE TRAIL TO CRAZY MAN,featuring The Trail to Crazy Man;Riders of the Dawn;Showdown on the Hogback

by Louis L'Amour

It was a land where nothing was small, nothing was simple. Everything, the lives of men and the stories they told, ran to extremes. Shanghaied into forced labor on a merchant vessel, Charles Rodney dies aboard ship from repeated beatings--but not before deeding part of his ranch to Rafe Caradec, whom he hopes will protect his family. A word from Louis L'Amour: "Almost forty years ago, when my fiction was being published exclusively in 'pulp' western magazines, I wrote several novel-length stories, which my editors called 'magazine novels.' In creating them, I became so involved with my characters that their lives were still as much a part of me as I was of them long after the issues in which they appeared became collector's items. Pleased as I was about how I brought the characters and their adventures to life in the pages of the magazines, I still wanted the reader to know more about my people and why they did what they did. So, over the years, I revised and expanded these magazine works into fuller-length novels...I hope you enjoy them." The Trail to Crazy Man is one of Louis L'Amour's finest short novels, originally serialized in early "pulp" Western magazines, now offered again in book form in response to widespread interest among L'Amour's many fans.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Historical

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

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

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly for a Western this novel starts at sea, where two shanghaied sailors strike up a friendship. One is badly beaten by the bully of a captain and dying extracts a promise from his shipmate to take care of his ranch in Wyoming along with his wife and daughter. Honoring this promise Rafe Caradec mutinies and rides out to Wyoming to find the ranch deserted and some bad men ruling the roost in the small township of Painted Rock.
Louis L'Amour can tell a yarn, the hero is smart, tough and quick with his guns. The natives are treated sympathetically and there is plenty of action in the usual western manner.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

At one time Westerns were published in magazines and the stories had to be concise. This book has three stories which would become full length books namely Silver Canyon, Showdown at Yellow butte, and Crossfire Trail. L'Amour said that in the magazine format you were chiefly plot and could not get the fullness of a novel, so he developed these in later years to be completed to his satisfaction. It is still interesting to get these in their original form. I loved these versions and I loved the longer versions.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of novellas that later became full length novels. The novels were Silver Canyon, Showdown at Yellow butte, and Crossfire Trail, all of which are among my favorite L'Amour books. If you've already read those other books then this collection might not be a compelling read for you, because of the similarities, but it's enjoyable to see how these stories developed.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pair of Western novellas by the prolific L'Amour. In “Trail to Peach Meadow Cañon” young Mike Bastian, raised by legendary outlaw Ben Curry to take over his band, must decide if an outlaw’s life is really for him. It features the characters and issues L'Amour often brought to his Westerns--thoughtful protagonists and unexpected issues and outcomes. In the title story, outlaws have killed a landowner for his property. But before he died, he asked soldier of fortune Rafe Caradec to care for his wife, daughter, and land, which leaves the courageous Caradec fighting for his friend’s legacy. In both stories love interests play a role, and L’Amour creates a pair of intrepid women not afraid to stand by their men. This pair of early short stories reflect L’Amour’s style and themes, with fair play proving as effective as gunplay.

[MrG LikesBooks&Booze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title was on Audible Plus, and I couldn't help but enjoy a quick listen. Like most Louis L'Amour stories, it was quick, engaging and enjoyable.
I enjoyed watching all the classic plot points of a good L'Amour novel come to resolution.
As always, it was an easy and fun read, and I'll definitely come back to more stories by L'Amour.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I had been wanting to read a Louis L'Amour western for some time now and thought this would be a good opportunity. I did not enjoy it as much as I would have liked, unfortunately. There were a lot of characters and maybe a bit predictable at times. Throughout the story there were segments of fun and intrigue, but these were few and far in between.

One thing is for sure – it wasn’t easy living in the wild west! People got killed all the time with little remorse, apparently.

Audiobook narrator Randal Schaffer rating: 3 stars
I always appreciate a new recording of an old tale. There’s nothing worse than trying to listen to a classic book with a “classic” recording of the audio. Randal does a decent job of changing his voice for different characters, which is helpful during dialogue portions. Though, there are times when the consistency is just a little bit off. If this were improved some, it would be perfect! I know it’s hard to keep up with this kind of consistency when there are so many different characters.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a good western and wanted to read this one. I had seen a movie Crossfire Trail made from this novel and wondered how it compared. Although it was not IMHO the best of L’amour’s writing I enjoyed seeing the characters and plot laid out as the writer intended. Tom Selleck was great recreating the main character Rafe and I actually preferred the plot line of the movie. I usually read a book first and have almost always preferred the opposite. L’amour wrote a pretty “stock” western and I imagine his reader came to expect the usual. If you are looking for a departure and what I think was one of his best..., try Last of the Breed which I am told was not well received by his usual readership. It makes me wonder what else he was capable of writing had the standard western not been demanded by his editors and his readers.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories are great fun, but they lack any surprises in the plot and the women are rather two-dimensional.

I was a young teenager the last time I read Louis L'Amour, so I'm not sure if the defaults I found in these stories are a result of my having lived longer, or a result of these being early unpolished works of his.

These stories are actually the original versions of those published in magazines early in L'Amour's career. (Later, he returned to the stories and developed them into published novels)

[Kristi Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version and enjoyed it very much. The voice talent was good. I suspect that if I stopped to analyze the plot I could poke a bunch of holes in it but as entertainment it worked just fine. I liked the main characters, and the way the heroes were fine examples of heroes. Good, upstanding men unafraid of doing the right thing for the right reasons, and tough as rawhide.

[Mary Sasala · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3.5. This was my first Louis LAmour book. Of course these are iconic American books even if they are neither deep nor well developed. They bring to life the West and define an era. Fun read for sure

[James Pepin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three short stories, my opinion they were not some of L'Amour's better stories. All to common a theme: handsome stranger rides into town, beautiful girl falls in love with him, handsome stranger gets rid of bad guys and everyone lives happy ever after.

[Beryl Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Moves fast, very exciting. This author is very good at story telling. Great read. Very authentic of a time long ago.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple western style reading. Grew up a Louis L'Amour fan, but this one was very elementary.

[Ed Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good rip snortin stories

Good rip snortin quintessential L.L'Amour stories. You know what to expect, the hero, the girl, the place, the villain and the fist fight.

[Jerry Bernhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of L-Amour short stories. L-Amour buffs will recognize the short stories as the basis for later to be written full length novels. Fun to read if you haven't read l'Amour for a while.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great set of three novellas. To the reviewer below--the book is three separate novels--different plots.

[Daniel]

There’s a great line early in this books. “Lot the effect, “B might kill a man, and put a notch on his gun, but Dan Shoot would not even understand such a thing. He would shoot a man with the same care he would take in branding a cow, and think nothing more of it . . . “. It’s said better than that. And then it goes into an observation about men with vanity and men who appear to be without. But only appear, and are all the more dangerous because it is hidden, and it broils deep inside. . . “

Now why would I like either of these quotes, particularly when I question the second one? Because the first at least tells me the sort of thing I could not or would not have imagined about the old west. Or not so old west. I reckon L’Amour was no further from his subject as I am from
The Second World War. I knew men who fought in it and knew them well. I miss them and their times. And their versions of virtue and sense of what it was to take up ones cross. Or shoulder ones responsibilities. And keep on.

So when I read something like that I wonder. Is this just a first rate imagination, in this and a thousand other hard details? Or did he know. Did he observe. Did he see?

Interestingly L’Amour was also a merchant marine. And in WWII. And this story involved men shanghied before getting back home to what they had hoped would be peace.

The Indians the Sioux too show up, historical figures, and save the day. I liked that kindness went a way. And the bad man bad to the settlers was seen to be bad to the Indians. And a part of the reason for the uprising likely I suppose. And finally got his comeuppance.

So much else could be said. But let me say this. It’s somehow peaceful thinking back on these times. Tho the book was not. Two words come to mind.

Laconic.

Stoic.

Both Greek in etymology. But somehow characterizing these characters. And the West L’Amour and Grey both write on about.

And also a stirring, a longing for, and love. Almost in the same words, these two authors. Noting the fine great eyes, the slim yet womanly figure, and what works out to a stirring and longing between two people in a hard world getting a sense of each other. And despite a hard beginning and misjudgment and lies told by others that they have found someone trustworthy and good to rely on. And they have. And there was much rejoicing.

But too, the loyalty and friendship among men.

And finally this one even had a lay trial. That I thought was something for its common sense, law, attempted corruption, what if aspects, and resolution.

I enjoyed it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.



I jumped at the chance to review a Louis L'Amour audiobook. This was not a book I remember specifically reading in my formative years, although we were warned at the start that this was the original short story that L'Amour wrote. Rafe's name seems familiar though.



L'Amour's books have always been about strong men, and strong women; about taming the west, and the high seas. This book combines both.



Rafe Caradec was shanghai'd out of San Francisco and escapes the ship with a couple other men. He promised Charles Rodney he would protect the man's daughter, before Rodney was beaten to death. Rafe travels to the Painted Rock with two of the four men who escaped the ship with him, only to discover that Anne Rodney believed her father had died long before Rafe told her he had. She was engaged to a man who held the mortgage on the ranch her father owned ..... the mortgage that Charles Rodney had paid off before he was shanghai'd.



What follows is typical L'Amour fare .... Rafe trying to find out why the ranch was important, Anne certain he was there to take the ranch from her, and the bad men who were the ones who actually wanted the ranch. Of course, Anne eventually sees through her fiance's story, and his partner's duplicity, and comes to realize Rafe had the right of things. And Rafe, being Rafe, is true to his word about taking the man down.



The narrator's voice was matter of fact, there seemed to be the occasional hiccup with the recording of the audiobook, but only slightly. Very enjoyable.

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection includes three long stories that were originally published as magazine serials:
"The Trail to Crazy Man," which was later expanded into the novel Crossfire Trail
"Riders of the Dawn," later expanded into the novel Silver Canyon
"Showdown on the Hogback," later expanded into the novel Showdown at Yellow Butte

"The Trail to Crazy Man" is probably the best of the bunch, and starts out aboard ship rather than out west, which was an nice change. "Riders of the Dawn" felt familiar, which I chalked up to a lot of L'Amour novels following a similar pattern, but I realized after finishing it that I had read the novel Silver Canyon a few years ago. "Showdown on the Hogback" seemed rather misnamed but was a decent story.

Having been published as serials, these stories feature some action in every chapter, which could feel forced but wasn't too bad, especially in the first and third stories. Overall, enjoyable but not groundbreaking L'Amour.

[Grizzly Phantoms · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you didn't know the author going into this, nobody would blame you for getting the impression you'd be reading a swashbuckling tale of some sort based on the first few pages. It begins on a boat at sea and ends somewhere far more inland: Utah.

+ Some fights are won via fists and guns. Others are won through sheer verbal intimidation in a way that avoids being over-the-top. Both styles of confrontation are well described.

+ Simple, feel good story for when you're in the mood for something easy to digest.

+ Invokes the feeling of watching a black and white western on AMC with your grandparents some late morning.

+ Super great court room scene. Unexpectedly engrossing!

- It's easy to see that this was an early piece of literature by L'Amour. Not bad at all, but a little shallow. Not a big mark against the book, but don't go into it expecting a marquee story found in later novels.

CONCLUSION

I enjoyed the story, especially how detailed the action was as well as the exciting courtroom scene. That being said, I was relieved when the book was over.

*The audiobook for 'The Trail to Crazy Man' I listened to was only the one novel instead of the collection of three stories republished from L'Amour's time writing for pulp rags. The narrator did a perfectly serviceable job of keeping me interested on a drive.

[Morgan Mcghee]

the trail to crazy man is an anthology with three novelettes being the trial to crazy man, riders of the dawn, and showdown on the hogback. this is not my first louis l'amour book that have read that being said it is in a much different style compared to some of his other works. the first book was very basic and you could guess what happens next in just about every chapter except when Rafe Caradec gets captured by the native americans. in the second story riders of the dawn it is shorter than the other two, and you can tell because you feel like you are just thrown into what feels like a forced story line. the third and final story in the book is the showdown on the hogback was my favorite out of the three because it was more of a classic western type, with a lot of nostalgia to it.

[Jason Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

These three stories, too short to be full length novels and too short to be considered short stories, were originally published in pulp magazines in the 40's. Later, L'Amour rewrote them, added content, and republished them as full length novels.
Some of these full length novels I've read, though it's been a long time. I can see why he chose these to convert. They are your typical western stories about ranchers battling the big land companies, and gunfighters trying to choose the right side, and there is a slightly unusual trope of a character who was not only a rancher and gunfighter, but a sailor. So, not much special in the plots themselves, but just well-crafted tightly woven narratives. Very enjoyable.

[Don Follett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book began as three magazine stories Mr. L'Amour had published. He subsequently turned them all into books that are contained in this volume. "The Trail to Crazy Man," "Riders of the Dawn," and "Showdown on the Hogback." Each of the stories were (obviously) well written with interesting and relatable characters, action packed and enjoyable to read. If you are a fan of westerns this collection of stories by one of the best western writers I have read will be an enjoyable and quick read. I certainly enjoyed them and I think you will also enjoy them.

[Lady Safari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were a lot more tangible than the other books I’ve listened to by Louis L’Amore.
My favourite part was definitely the court case. Very cleverly done!

Thank you to the narrator for doing a great job.

I marked it down with one point because the plot seemed to be very similar to two other books I’ve listened. It made the story a bit predictable.

[Brandon Burken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story is about a man trying to take back land that his friend gave to him. The second story is about a stranger trying to fight for land now belonged to him from an old man. The final story is a retired Army man getting caught in a fight over land. I would definitely recommend this book for other people that like old western books and action.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad these were adapted into other longer books so I can read more about them!! Especially the first story as that was my favorite in this book. All of them were amazing as always (when are they not?) My only issue was the explanation of the whole grulla situation. Seemed a little odd to be honest to throw that in there. Still a good ending though.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished 27th february 2025 good read three stars i liked it nothing less nothing more kindle library loaner have read more than two dozen from l'amour the first in 1978 enjoyed every last one of them not a hint of snide partisan politics in one of them, just story in this one three of them. entertainig reads each one.

[Tom Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is three stories with separate titles and characters. All three stories are well written and engaging. This is my first L’Amour read, but will dig into some more as I was given a fairly large collection of Louie’s books.
I decided to hunt down some of the movies made from his books. They weren’t very close to reading the original stories, as are most films taken from books and novels.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a Cowboy who ends up on a ship and then escapes to return to USA Texas.
Nicely written story of a quiet low key cowboy and his friends out to help their mutual friend that died and left a wife & daughter. Narrator did a good job with the characters.

[Ralph Mark Peabody · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the sample I ordered the book from Amazon
“The Trail to Crazy Man” original. I got the same one which I already had which only had the sample. I am pretty disappointed as after paying $3;99 so I read the complete story so got the same unfinished version. Do you need to know more????