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Beyond the Great Snow Mountains
An anthology of ten adventures stories features L'Amour's trademark colorful characters and historical detail as they chronicle the exploits of men and women who face untold challenges and danger in their lives
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
231 people are currently reading
521 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 58 reviews
July 5, 2024
A nice collection of L'amour tales.
March 20, 2019
I picked this up at the library because I was in the mood for a western novel and like Louis L'Amour. The title does not mention that this is a collection of short stories written outside the genre for which he is best known. So I read 3 stories, which looked like 3 chapters and kept wondering when the author was going to tie the storylines together.
With that being said, the short stories all contained adventure but in about half of them I kept asking "How much longer till the end?"
A couple of the stories center around boxing. not my cup of tea.
So, for me, it was barely o.k. But l think a L'Amour fan who is interested in reading his other works might enjoy it.
With that being said, the short stories all contained adventure but in about half of them I kept asking "How much longer till the end?"
A couple of the stories center around boxing. not my cup of tea.
So, for me, it was barely o.k. But l think a L'Amour fan who is interested in reading his other works might enjoy it.
May 22, 2013
I really like this book because it kept me wanting to read more. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action, fighting, suspense, and outdoor types of books. In this book a man is being framed for murder and has to search out all over the country side for the man who has committed the crime to clear himself. There are many obstacles along the way and he is tested in every way, on his way to find the murderer.
March 25, 2015
Louis made writing look so easy and we know it´s not, Highly entertaining
his books were a link from pop literature to more serious books.
He always delivered good to great tails
his books were a link from pop literature to more serious books.
He always delivered good to great tails
April 2, 2016
Most of the stories were really good. I really enjoyed reading this and will probably pick up more from him.
October 23, 2022
The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I prefer one full novel versus short stories. But the short stories themselves were excellent and I enjoyed the variety, not just westerns.
March 2, 2023
Only one story in this collection is a Western; most fall under the adventure or crime/detective genres, but this was the only book available by L'Amour in the library, and I wasn't going to skip him in a reading list on Westerns.
A friend of mine growing up was a huge fan of L'Amour, had probably read all of this stuff. The friend could read at an incredibly fast clip, but if he had only read L'Amour, I would likely not be impressed, now that I've read this writer. The reading is not challenging. My friend, though, who had mastered speed reading to such an extent that he could look not just at sentences at a time but whole pages, would read Leon Uris or Charles Dickens novels in a night, so I know that he wasn't sticking just to short, simple books when he bragged of finishing so much so quickly.
That said, his admiration of L'Amour does make me think that perhaps he was more inclined to like heavily plotted material rather than strong characters. Indeed, from the collection, I would get the feeling that that is really all L'Amour was about. Sometimes, character motivations and actions seem secondary and nearly defy logic. Then again, I was reading a book published after L'Amour's death, made up of stories he did not publish in a collection in his lifetime, which suggests that even he may not have thought this his strongest work.
The collection consists of four stories. The sole Western, "Roundup in Texas," involves the familiar tale of a cattle rustlers and a man who sets out to save the cattle for a gal, ending, of course, in a shootout.
Among the adventure stories is "By the Waters of San Toledo," about a woman whose father dies and who is stranded in a faraway place with a man who she doesn't like but who thinks she should not belong to him. There is gunfighting, and a daring escape attempt. "Crash Landing" is about a man attempting to save passengers from a plane wreck that is precariously propped on a mountainside. "Coast Patrol" involves World War II pilots and ship captains and takes the prize for the most ridiculous character transformations--a woman whose father dies (a common trope, it seems, in these stories) is now due to be married to one of the seamen, having known him for a year and come to depend on him; Turk Madden, however, a U.S. flying ace who is flying for Russia, after discovering much of the ship's crew dead, tells her that the seaman is the one responsible and, in fact, that he is a traitor to the United States government who is on Japan's side. The woman immediately, despite receiving nothing but Madden's word, turns sides, taking up for Madden, and disavowing the seaman, her fiancee, despite his protests. After Madden kills the traitor, she and Madden get together. Not sure why she would betray her one true love on the word of a stranger. The title story also fits the adventure model, this one about a woman stranded in a faraway Asian country, who marries a local and who finally has a chance to return to the United States, but whose true desires are very much tested.
"Meeting at Falmouth" involves a twist ending that is hardly worth the fifteen or so pages it takes to get to it.
Two stories involve boxing and tough guys' attempts to make boxers throw fights for gambling money--"Sideshow Circus" and "The Money Punch."
Contemporary crime stories include "Under the Hanging Wall," about the murder of a mining employee, and "The Gravel Pit," about a man whose attempt to take off with a company's payroll goes awry such that he has to kill another man.
A man who writes adventure has to know how to describe a fight, I suppose, and L'Amour was certainly good at that. Much of many of the stories runs through the various punches each character throws, and somehow, one is able to keep track of what is happening. It's good action--but often not much more.
A friend of mine growing up was a huge fan of L'Amour, had probably read all of this stuff. The friend could read at an incredibly fast clip, but if he had only read L'Amour, I would likely not be impressed, now that I've read this writer. The reading is not challenging. My friend, though, who had mastered speed reading to such an extent that he could look not just at sentences at a time but whole pages, would read Leon Uris or Charles Dickens novels in a night, so I know that he wasn't sticking just to short, simple books when he bragged of finishing so much so quickly.
That said, his admiration of L'Amour does make me think that perhaps he was more inclined to like heavily plotted material rather than strong characters. Indeed, from the collection, I would get the feeling that that is really all L'Amour was about. Sometimes, character motivations and actions seem secondary and nearly defy logic. Then again, I was reading a book published after L'Amour's death, made up of stories he did not publish in a collection in his lifetime, which suggests that even he may not have thought this his strongest work.
The collection consists of four stories. The sole Western, "Roundup in Texas," involves the familiar tale of a cattle rustlers and a man who sets out to save the cattle for a gal, ending, of course, in a shootout.
Among the adventure stories is "By the Waters of San Toledo," about a woman whose father dies and who is stranded in a faraway place with a man who she doesn't like but who thinks she should not belong to him. There is gunfighting, and a daring escape attempt. "Crash Landing" is about a man attempting to save passengers from a plane wreck that is precariously propped on a mountainside. "Coast Patrol" involves World War II pilots and ship captains and takes the prize for the most ridiculous character transformations--a woman whose father dies (a common trope, it seems, in these stories) is now due to be married to one of the seamen, having known him for a year and come to depend on him; Turk Madden, however, a U.S. flying ace who is flying for Russia, after discovering much of the ship's crew dead, tells her that the seaman is the one responsible and, in fact, that he is a traitor to the United States government who is on Japan's side. The woman immediately, despite receiving nothing but Madden's word, turns sides, taking up for Madden, and disavowing the seaman, her fiancee, despite his protests. After Madden kills the traitor, she and Madden get together. Not sure why she would betray her one true love on the word of a stranger. The title story also fits the adventure model, this one about a woman stranded in a faraway Asian country, who marries a local and who finally has a chance to return to the United States, but whose true desires are very much tested.
"Meeting at Falmouth" involves a twist ending that is hardly worth the fifteen or so pages it takes to get to it.
Two stories involve boxing and tough guys' attempts to make boxers throw fights for gambling money--"Sideshow Circus" and "The Money Punch."
Contemporary crime stories include "Under the Hanging Wall," about the murder of a mining employee, and "The Gravel Pit," about a man whose attempt to take off with a company's payroll goes awry such that he has to kill another man.
A man who writes adventure has to know how to describe a fight, I suppose, and L'Amour was certainly good at that. Much of many of the stories runs through the various punches each character throws, and somehow, one is able to keep track of what is happening. It's good action--but often not much more.
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March 7, 2023This was a collection of short stories by Louis L’Amour. I really enjoyed the variation of topics and settings within the book. I have never a book by this author before but I would definitely be interested in grabbing a few more of his. My three favorite short stories were ones about cattle drives and boxing. I really enjoyed the boxing stories more than I thought I would going into it.
January 16, 2021
A wonderful collection of L'Amour's short stories. Seeing the consistency of quality over a variety of genres, some of which apparently were experiments at the time he wrote them, is a testament to his skill. I have found some of the hallmarks of his writing to be relatable and interesting characters, plots full of suspense, emotionalheart, and a sense of place that at times turns the setting into a character. I find that any of his works feels like I could go there and see everything described. I started this book very much in the mood for a L'Amour, and I was not disappointed.
September 12, 2017
Great collection of L'Amour stories set outside his normal western genre. I admit I was not a fan of the boxing piece but you can see the writers knowledge of the sport in the writing. The Grave Pit shows his flare for a good mystery. These fall well outside his normal style but they are well worth the time to read.
July 30, 2021
10 short stories
1 By the Waters of San Tadeo
2 Meeting at Falmouth
3 Roundup in Texas
4 Sideshow Champion
5 Crash Landing
6 Under the Hanging Wall
7 Coast Patrol
8 The Gravel Pit
9 The Money Punch
10 Beyond the Great Snow Mountains
A list of people, they are wanting to find out about for a biography of Louis L'Amour.
1 By the Waters of San Tadeo
2 Meeting at Falmouth
3 Roundup in Texas
4 Sideshow Champion
5 Crash Landing
6 Under the Hanging Wall
7 Coast Patrol
8 The Gravel Pit
9 The Money Punch
10 Beyond the Great Snow Mountains
A list of people, they are wanting to find out about for a biography of Louis L'Amour.
August 7, 2017
This was a fun, light summer read. I haven't read too many of Louis L'Amour's books, but I think they're enjoyable for a kind of literary snack. I liked seeing how he took on the short story genre. Some of the stories were better than others for me, but I'm still glad I read them all.
February 27, 2022
Excellent
Ten very will written novellas. The characters are interesting and will developed. Each story is different and very entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys will written novellas.Enjoy reading 2020😀
Ten very will written novellas. The characters are interesting and will developed. Each story is different and very entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys will written novellas.Enjoy reading 2020😀
May 16, 2024
A varied collection of early L'Amour stories, most of which had to do with boxing. L'Amour was a boxer himself and his battles of the ring "ring" true. L'Amour gets both the details and the settings right and tells a good story to boot. Most of these tales are also fairly short, which was nice for me because this was my "carry along" book, meaning I read quite a bit of it while waiting at the pharmacy or Doctor's office, or between classes at school. My favorite piece was the title story, which was last in the book. It took place in Tibet, among the high mountains and the descendants of the Mongols. Good stuff.
February 24, 2023
I enjoyed this book of western and other stories! Of the ten stories, numbers 1,2,5,8, and 10 were 5-stars for me! Numbers 4 & 6 were 4-stars, and the others were OK at 3 stars. Good for those who enjoy L'Amour's adventurous writing!
March 7, 2023
Some of the stories are great. . .
But I dislike too much description of, to of the fighting. Mr. L'Amour's style of writing seems to me to be hampered when he writes about more modern times
But I dislike too much description of, to of the fighting. Mr. L'Amour's style of writing seems to me to be hampered when he writes about more modern times
May 13, 2023
More short stories, these are about a more current time:
By the Waters of San Tadeo
Meeting at Falmouth
Roundup in Texas
Sideshow Champion
Crash Landing
Under the Hanging Wall
Coast Patrol
Money Punch, The
Beyond the Great Snow Mountain
By the Waters of San Tadeo
Meeting at Falmouth
Roundup in Texas
Sideshow Champion
Crash Landing
Under the Hanging Wall
Coast Patrol
Money Punch, The
Beyond the Great Snow Mountain
October 17, 2023
Fun and entertaining series of short stories and mostly outside of the western genre. A nice mix of crime and often boxing stories and one was a western.
If a fan of Lamour definitely worth reading.
If a fan of Lamour definitely worth reading.
August 27, 2018
A wonderful saga, read it.
May 30, 2019
I much prefer his basic westerns
June 20, 2019
tread read. Much fisticuffs. Short story jabs. Last one had depth.
July 4, 2019
Another great book.
July 24, 2019
A compelling collection of (at least mostly) non-western short stories
September 7, 2019
Started reading this with Randy, but after a few days he decided hr didn't like the short stories in this one. so we stopped reading it after 4 or 4 days.
February 22, 2021
A collections of short stories, som I liked some not so much
June 1, 2021
A great selection of Louis L'Amour short stories.
November 20, 2022
Nice collection of L'Amour's short stories. Diverse.
September 23, 2023
Many of these short stories were not of interest to me and were too violent for my liking.
December 31, 2023
This rating is for the short story, Beyond the Great Snow Mountains not the collection of stories of the same name.
February 25, 2024
Not the stories I prefer.
Several stories were good. Some were not. Several stories you were left wondering, where is there rest of the story.
Several stories were good. Some were not. Several stories you were left wondering, where is there rest of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews