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Nepsaný zákon
Majitelka ranče Kate je vzteky bez sebe, protože bohatí občané města zastřelili jejího mladšího bratra jen kvůli mladické nerozvážnosti. Kate chystá pomstu, chce zničit místo, které žije z práce kovbojů, ale je k nim tak krutě nespravedlivé. Svolá pistolníky, skoupí okolní pozemky a nechá je obehnat plotem. Stáda z Texasu se tak do města nedostanou a zdroj peněz začne vysychat. Boháči si však něco takového nechtějí nechat líbit, a navíc ještě od ženy...
172 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
182 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Louis L'Amour
996 books3,477 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 120 reviews
October 1, 2020
3.5 stars
"We came up the trail from Texas in the spring of '74, and bedded our herd on the short grass beyond the railroad. We cleaned our guns and washed our necks and dusted our hats for town, riding fifteen strong . . . We were the Tumbling B from the rough country of the Big Bend." -- on page 1
A very good L'Amour western story that was marred only by the anti-climatic, muted and predictable final chapters, Kiowa Trail also seemed to share a few basic similarities (not that those are necessarily a bad thing) to the Kevin Costner / Robert Duvall movie Open Range that came about forty years later. Lead character Conn Dury was a great if typically uber-skilled L'Amour protagonist - raised by Apaches (they had murdered his parents) in early childhood, he is rescued by a British soldier who is visiting the U.S. and then shipped to England for schooling. On returning to America as a young man Dury is then briefly a Texas Ranger before serving during the Civil War as a Union cavalry lieutenant. (Phew! Was he an Amway distributor too?) Of course all of this varied experience makes him the perfect man to be the lead 'hand' for the Tumbling B cattle drivers, owned by the stout Kate Lundy. The horse opera plot involves unrequited lovebirds Dury and Lundy going to war with a small town's malevolent power-broker who had one of their cowboys - and he happened to be Kate's younger, cherubic brother - killed in cold blood for the 'offense' of attempting to court the man's daughter.
"We came up the trail from Texas in the spring of '74, and bedded our herd on the short grass beyond the railroad. We cleaned our guns and washed our necks and dusted our hats for town, riding fifteen strong . . . We were the Tumbling B from the rough country of the Big Bend." -- on page 1
A very good L'Amour western story that was marred only by the anti-climatic, muted and predictable final chapters, Kiowa Trail also seemed to share a few basic similarities (not that those are necessarily a bad thing) to the Kevin Costner / Robert Duvall movie Open Range that came about forty years later. Lead character Conn Dury was a great if typically uber-skilled L'Amour protagonist - raised by Apaches (they had murdered his parents) in early childhood, he is rescued by a British soldier who is visiting the U.S. and then shipped to England for schooling. On returning to America as a young man Dury is then briefly a Texas Ranger before serving during the Civil War as a Union cavalry lieutenant. (Phew! Was he an Amway distributor too?) Of course all of this varied experience makes him the perfect man to be the lead 'hand' for the Tumbling B cattle drivers, owned by the stout Kate Lundy. The horse opera plot involves unrequited lovebirds Dury and Lundy going to war with a small town's malevolent power-broker who had one of their cowboys - and he happened to be Kate's younger, cherubic brother - killed in cold blood for the 'offense' of attempting to court the man's daughter.
November 28, 2020
Great story. Conn Dury the ramrod to the Tumbling B owned by Kate Lundy a tough, beautiful and strong willed woman. Her brother Tom who falls for the wrong pretty woman. A very entertaining and enjoyable story with gunfights, romance, fist fights, a stampede, Indian attacks and a town who choose the wrong woman to mess with and gets their just desserts.
July 13, 2018
An atypical L'Amour story in which a Texas cow outfit, upon the murder of one of its' men, decides to put a town under siege. The title really has nothing to do with the story, but it probably helped sell the book. Recommended to L'Amour fans.+
August 20, 2022
One of my reading challenge prompts was to read a genre I've never read before.
Well I've never read a Western fiction and asked for author recommendations and this was my pick.
This read just like a John Wayne movie. I can just picture the tumbleweed rolling and the old times saloons. Very cool read and even involved a badass woman business owner.
Well I've never read a Western fiction and asked for author recommendations and this was my pick.
This read just like a John Wayne movie. I can just picture the tumbleweed rolling and the old times saloons. Very cool read and even involved a badass woman business owner.
February 8, 2017
I found this on book on tape at a Goodwill store, and of course I snapped it up. I grew up on Louis L'amour westerns. At 14 while most girls were swooning over Pride & Prejudice, I disappeared into shoot 'em up westerns.
It had been so long since I read this one, I'd forgotten what happens. In a way, this one is a bit unusual for a Louis L'amour. It is more character driven than most of them, yet there is still plenty of gunfights and fighting. No fist fight, and the mystery of the main character's back story is told in flash backs that break up the main action (since most of that main action is a siege of a town). It also is a tad unusual in how it ends, but I won't give that away.
It had been so long since I read this one, I'd forgotten what happens. In a way, this one is a bit unusual for a Louis L'amour. It is more character driven than most of them, yet there is still plenty of gunfights and fighting. No fist fight, and the mystery of the main character's back story is told in flash backs that break up the main action (since most of that main action is a siege of a town). It also is a tad unusual in how it ends, but I won't give that away.
February 26, 2018
Initially a superior revenge Western, KIOWA TRAIL comes unglued in the third act once cheesiness and lazy writing take hold. Too bad, because the set up is terrific. The early chapters indicate that L'Amour is aiming for something more clever than your typical revenge plot, but he ultimately reneges on the book's promise by reverting back to the same ol' familiar cliches. Several fortuitous coincidences near the end of the story undermine any attempt at believability, and the only Native American who speaks English talks like Injun Joe from the old Porky Pig cartoon.
August 20, 2020
The good guys are always unbelievably good, and the bad guys are pure evil. There are no nuances with Louis L’Amour. The good guys don’t look for trouble, but it always finds them. A couple of them might go down, but the hero always makes it--the raw-boned, fast drawin’ hard ridin’ hero. There’s always a woman, and she’s always worth fightin’ for. How I love this world, and how I always hate to leave it when the book is over.
November 30, 2016
Murder and mystery in the old west by ago-to author for taking readers to the past.
August 24, 2020
Sebbene dopo aver letto qualche romanzo di L'Amour risultino chiari certi suoi topoi narrativi, e di conseguenza alcuni legami (specialmente quelli affettivi) e alcune caratteristiche del protagonista siano perfettamente prevedibili, è sempre piacevole e a tratti anche sorprendente scoprire come evolve la storia.
Qui abbiamo il pregiudizio e una vendetta anomala, per provocare la fine di una città. Abbiamo due protagonisti forti e un paio di antagonisti, uno dei quali abbastanza debole d'intelletto, l'altro spietato.
Abbiamo una storia nelle praterie del Kansas della seconda metà degli anni '70 del XVIII secolo, ma a differenza di quanto suggerisce il titolo, non ci sono i Kiowas e la storia è ambinetata solo alla fine di quella pista.
4 stelle ben meritate.
Qui abbiamo il pregiudizio e una vendetta anomala, per provocare la fine di una città. Abbiamo due protagonisti forti e un paio di antagonisti, uno dei quali abbastanza debole d'intelletto, l'altro spietato.
Abbiamo una storia nelle praterie del Kansas della seconda metà degli anni '70 del XVIII secolo, ma a differenza di quanto suggerisce il titolo, non ci sono i Kiowas e la storia è ambinetata solo alla fine di quella pista.
4 stelle ben meritate.
January 19, 2021
It may just be me being overly sentimental about my dad’s favorite author, but I don’t think I’ve read a Louis L’Amour book (and I think I’ve read them all at least once) I didn’t at least like. Always a good story, always feeling like the real deal. When I think of western novels, only Louis comes to mind.
Kiowa Trail is a prime example of a L’Amour book - strong, capable characters striving to live in the harsh conditions of a lawless land, doing what they must to survive, tightly written without a lot of meandering or romantic baloney that ruins many other western authors for me. A+
Kiowa Trail is a prime example of a L’Amour book - strong, capable characters striving to live in the harsh conditions of a lawless land, doing what they must to survive, tightly written without a lot of meandering or romantic baloney that ruins many other western authors for me. A+
May 17, 2021
4.25 stars
July 26, 2022
Louis L'Amour writing never disappoints and reading one of his books takes me back to my childhood watching westerns on tv.
July 4, 2018
Another very good Louis L'Amour read. The had a buildup for a big showdown and when it came it was satisfying and NOT as violent as it could have been. Good enough action and colorful characters.
One thing a little puzzling to me was the title of the book, in that the Kiowa Trail was never mentioned, and Kiowa warriors were not mentioned very much till the last section of the book.
One thing a little puzzling to me was the title of the book, in that the Kiowa Trail was never mentioned, and Kiowa warriors were not mentioned very much till the last section of the book.
April 28, 2019
Kate Lundy was a beautiful, business oriented cattle woman.
All she had in the world, her ranch, and younger brother.
When he is shot in the back, killed in town.
Kate decides to take her revenge, by destroying the town.
Not by open attack, and shooting.
With her hands, she fences the town off, from the outside world.
Conn is her foreman and closest hand.
Some of the people in town, deserving of this fate.
Others encouraged to leave.
As Conn and the cow hands, turn away business and revenue from the town.
Wealthy men in town wiring for hired killers.
It was going to be a war.
With someone dangerous from Conn's past.
Also working against them.
Over all a good solid story.
Main thing against it, is the pacing.
During the story 4 or 5 times. It stops, to have a flashback chapter.
Yes it does explain things, that relate to current events.
Just to much stop and start for my liking.
You get caught up in the story.
Then a pause, as something else is introduced from the past.
Something major about to happen.
Then you have to wait, until after you read chapter. Different time and place.
It does have a decent wrap up, and finish though.
All she had in the world, her ranch, and younger brother.
When he is shot in the back, killed in town.
Kate decides to take her revenge, by destroying the town.
Not by open attack, and shooting.
With her hands, she fences the town off, from the outside world.
Conn is her foreman and closest hand.
Some of the people in town, deserving of this fate.
Others encouraged to leave.
As Conn and the cow hands, turn away business and revenue from the town.
Wealthy men in town wiring for hired killers.
It was going to be a war.
With someone dangerous from Conn's past.
Also working against them.
Over all a good solid story.
Main thing against it, is the pacing.
During the story 4 or 5 times. It stops, to have a flashback chapter.
Yes it does explain things, that relate to current events.
Just to much stop and start for my liking.
You get caught up in the story.
Then a pause, as something else is introduced from the past.
Something major about to happen.
Then you have to wait, until after you read chapter. Different time and place.
It does have a decent wrap up, and finish though.
September 7, 2010
Every time I read a novel by Louis L'Amour, I am reminded why he is the King of Westerns. His novels are not of the "cookie-cutter" variety and this novel is vintage L'Amour. It is a story of revenge, and the strength of one woman's resolve to avenge the death of her young brother. But it is L'Amour's skillful use of flashback sequences which defines this book. The tale is actually told from the point-of-view of a man whose parents were killed causing him to spend three years living with Apaches, as well as time in Europe and as a Union Officer in the Civil War. It is his story as much as hers and it should be obvious that this is a complicated plot. But L'Amour successfully pulls it off. L'Amour's storys are always "real" in that the locations are real places and many of the characters are historical. Few historians are as knowledgable of this era as L'Amour, and it shows in his novels. Enjoy reading Kiowa Trail!
April 7, 2008
If you like stories about good guys who kick butt and get the girl and the bad guys who get it in the end, read Louis L'amour. He also has a knack for describing scenery, and every canyon, spring, etc. he mentions truly exists. He was a great authority on the American Wild West which is not quite how Hollywood often portrays it.
August 13, 2012
A good, read for anyone who likes westerns or adventures. It is more complex than some of Louis L'Amour's other books, but it is still filled with action and suspense. I felt like it wasn't as predictable as some of his other books have been.
July 20, 2017
When I read for entertainment, other than to learn, broaden my understanding, underline, take notes, and or seek God, the classic western is a really good place to lose myself in, and authors like Louis L'Amour make it easy. His is the style of the fireside story teller, and stories of when the nation was young, wild and free of modern encumbrances.
September 29, 2008
Louis L'Amour is a great storyteller. I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy a western, but his writing kept me turning pages. This is a fast read, lots of action (gunfighting) and anticipation of what will happen next. I enjoyed the flashbacks to the main character's past.
July 10, 2017
A different style
I don't know if it was because this started as a short story, but it was a different style than most of his. Strange cut scenes and a jumping around with the characters. It was like there were four short stories related to each other and just stitched together.
I don't know if it was because this started as a short story, but it was a different style than most of his. Strange cut scenes and a jumping around with the characters. It was like there were four short stories related to each other and just stitched together.
August 10, 2017
A good, solid L'Amour novel. Highly enjoyable.
January 5, 2018
Picked up this audio book at the library. A great L'amour story.
January 28, 2018
A very unconventional western!
April 7, 2018
Didn't think I'd like westerns, but L'Amour is a true master. I can now see what all the hype is about.
September 8, 2019
good read...
May 12, 2019
An unusual L’Amour tale. Conn Dury is a ramrod for Kate Lundy. After the cattle are sold and Kate’s brother Tom killed for daring to call on a pretty girl, Kate decides on an unusual course of revenge. She doesn’t want the guilty party killed, she wants the whole town done away with. In the midst of this fine setup is the backstory of Conn and how he came to eventually meet up with Kate. The story falls a bit shy of its full potential. L’Amour does a great job with the setup telling several stories into the background of Conn’s life. But the payoff still manages to slightly disappoint. He and Kate are plainly a team and in love though neither mentions it. And after a desperate flight for survival they still seem out of step with the other instead of declaring themselves. A showdown occurs with all the parties involved too conveniently thrown back together, considering the logistics set up, and as bizarrely trumped up reasons for it are voiced, it’s just as quickly over without a shot fired. There’s enough here to keep a L’Amour fan entertained but not much else to recommend it.
September 10, 2022
This was my first foray into the western genre, and I definitely know it won't be my last. I've been wanting to try it out for a while now, and after one of my customers recommended "just picking any ole one up," that's exactly what I did. I went to the library and pulled the first Louis L'Amour I saw off of the shelf. Luck was definitely shining on me that day.
I had seriously the hardest time putting this one down. This was just a good, rollicking tale that I can imagine being told around a campfire. It was simple but eloquent, at the same time. L'Amour doesn't him-haw around with unnecessary detail, but there was a surprising amount of feeling in his words.
And there's something about a western--the nobility, the loyalty, the good versus bad--that just makes me happy. I just love it when the "good guys" come to save the day and they have these wickedly cool lines that make me happy that I'm not in the villain's shoes. And then there's the villain who is so frustrating because they are impossible to bring down. I personally think that makes for a good tale. In this one in particular, you can't help but root for the wizened, but tough and flawed Conn Dury. And then there's the totally kickbutt Kate Lundy. It was awesome to see such a strong female character in what I presumed to be a male-dominated genre.
I was totally and pleasantly surprised by this, and I will definitely be looking for more from Louis L'Amour!
I had seriously the hardest time putting this one down. This was just a good, rollicking tale that I can imagine being told around a campfire. It was simple but eloquent, at the same time. L'Amour doesn't him-haw around with unnecessary detail, but there was a surprising amount of feeling in his words.
And there's something about a western--the nobility, the loyalty, the good versus bad--that just makes me happy. I just love it when the "good guys" come to save the day and they have these wickedly cool lines that make me happy that I'm not in the villain's shoes. And then there's the villain who is so frustrating because they are impossible to bring down. I personally think that makes for a good tale. In this one in particular, you can't help but root for the wizened, but tough and flawed Conn Dury. And then there's the totally kickbutt Kate Lundy. It was awesome to see such a strong female character in what I presumed to be a male-dominated genre.
I was totally and pleasantly surprised by this, and I will definitely be looking for more from Louis L'Amour!
March 12, 2023
Conn Dury works for Kate Lundy who owns the Tumbling B ranch. She has a younger brother named Tom. After a long drive they arrive at an unnamed town run by a man named McDonald. McDonald served in the union army during the Civil War and now he hates all Texans and fighting for the South. Tom runs afoul of one of the laws designed for Texans. Tom is shot in the back.
Kate is determined to have justice. She lays siege to the town.
Conn himself has lived a rather colorful life. His parents were killed by Apache and he was raised by them. He escapes, finds work, gets an education and builds a reputation for himself. Just at the end of the Civil War he runs across Kate and her brother just as they are about to be killed in an Indian raid. He has been with them ever since.
This is a tight adventure story with some unusual aspects.
Kate is determined to have justice. She lays siege to the town.
Conn himself has lived a rather colorful life. His parents were killed by Apache and he was raised by them. He escapes, finds work, gets an education and builds a reputation for himself. Just at the end of the Civil War he runs across Kate and her brother just as they are about to be killed in an Indian raid. He has been with them ever since.
This is a tight adventure story with some unusual aspects.
April 26, 2023
This was written in 1964 and is surprisingly good. It’s free of some of the character stereotypes L’Amour often used, and may have been radical for the day.
A strong and independent woman who owns a substantial ranch seeks to destroy a town responsible for the murder of her brother. The narrative voice is that of her foreman, who ends up being the hero. He spent three years as a child as an Apache captive, after escaping befriended an Englishman who provided for his education in Great Britain.
If written for the screen this would make a Hell of a mini-series. L’Amour’s estate may not allow that, though.
A strong and independent woman who owns a substantial ranch seeks to destroy a town responsible for the murder of her brother. The narrative voice is that of her foreman, who ends up being the hero. He spent three years as a child as an Apache captive, after escaping befriended an Englishman who provided for his education in Great Britain.
If written for the screen this would make a Hell of a mini-series. L’Amour’s estate may not allow that, though.
February 20, 2023
Kiowa Trail was a fairly standard western novel, I suppose, although I am fairly new to the genre and to Louis L'Amour. I admire his life and his work ethic, and if I seem to be critical of his works sometimes for being less than original, I do it while keeping in mind that he helped define the genre. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to Conn Dury's life story, as well as his early interactions with Kate Lundy. I did find it implausible that Conn and Kate would have waited as long as they did to be more than business partners, but that tension works well with the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews