Bowdrie's Law

Bowdrie

by Louis L'Amour

Lawman, manhunter, peacemaker--it takes a hard breed of man to survive as a Texas Ranger, but Chick Bowdrie stands head and shoulder above the rest. The rough trails are his home, from the Big Thicket to the Pecos to the border. He's dried by the desert sun and wind, scarred and toughened by uncounted gun battles, and when you look into his black eyes it's like looking down the barrels of two .44s with their hammers drawn back. He rides in the name of justice, but he lives by his own law--Bowdrie's Law. And if you're thinking about walking on the wrong side of Bowdrie Law, you'd better start running. Fast.

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

Library Binding

First published November 4, 1984

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

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yep, I like Chick Bowdrie–Texas Ranger. This is a book with 10 shorter stories all about Bowdrie. Some of the stories are more like mysteries, and you aren't sure who the villain is until the end. Even Bowdrie doesn't know at times, but he is really good at pretending he knows, which can be quite troubling if you might be guilty.

I really enjoyed all the historical notes Louis L'Amour added.

There were some words I wished weren't in there.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was fun! Like its predecessor, Bowdrie, this is a collection of ten short stories starring Chick Bowdrie, a Texas Ranger who rides a mean hammerhead roan and always gets his man... eventually. The stories range from a bit humorous to very serious, and some have more action than others. But they're all enjoyable. I read the whole book over a couple of very stressful weeks, savoring one short story every evening or so as a way to unwind and recharge, and they were perfect for that!

Interspersed among the short stories are several historical notes about real people and places from the Old West. I loved those! They were always short and to-the-point, but informative.

[Stephen Dearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every second of it. Excellent stories, with a main character that can’t be beat.

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice paperback collection of L'Amour western shorts, "Bowdrie's Law" has ten short stories and seven shorter "historical notes." The nice thing about this installment of L'Amour's shorts collections is its narrow and smart focus on a single protagonist across all the stories, a Texas Ranger named Chick Bowdrie. Instead of one over-arching western plot for one novel, this collection is like having ten quick western mysteries being solved by a hard-nosed, suspicious, and stubborn Texas Ranger. With L'Amour at the helm, it is a lot of fun.

"Where Buzzards Fly" and "Down Sonora Way" are my favorites here. There are two duds (the final two) but otherwise a good collection.

Verdict: A fun collection of mysteries and justice tales starring Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie in various adventures pursuing outlaws in Texas.

Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another collection of L'Amour stories, this time all standalone short stories revolving around the Texas Ranger character of Chick Bowdrie. A little formulaic, but more cohesive than the collection I read just before this, Buckskin Run. Solid but mostly unremarkable L'Amour.

[Jeff P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick Bowdrie is a Texas Ranger who always gets his man.

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked the book and the character in the story about the Texas Ranger

[Richard Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of L'Amour's better books. At the beginning of each tale about Chick Bowdrie, L'Amour puts a historical note about the old west. Not all relate exactly to his 15 page story that picks another incident in Chick Bowdrie's life as a Texas Ranger, but they do illustrate how varied the lives of those men could be, as well as the types of persons who made up the 1870 - 1890 western framework of time that most authors of this genre are dealing with. I like the endings of a number of these stand-alone short stories which kind of leave you to imagine what happened next when the last sentence is: "It was a long way to town." You'll enjoy the stories of the trickster who gets the Sheriff hanged instead of himself, the story of the young lady in distress,and the bad guys holed up in an isolated canyon with a secret cave. You'll enjoy Chick Bowdrie's slow but steady ability to track a man across the desert and in the end as all good Texas Rangers should, always get his man.

[Paul Falk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author Louis L'Amour is synonymous with western novels. And when it comes to lawmen, no one can compare with the likes of Chick Bowdrie. If you're looking for the adventure of the untamed Wild West that's overrun with lawlessness, you've come to the right place.

Lawlessness was pervasive during the latter part of the nineteenth century, especially in the new lands out West. Law enforcement needed help. Up sprang the Texas Rangers. One man stood head and shoulders above all the rest, Chick Bowdrie. Many a gunslinger had found out the hard way when they came up against the fearless lawman. It was a one way ticket to 'Boot Hill'. He came to be feared by the criminals; loved by law-abiding citizens.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice collection of stories from the master about the Texas Ranger, Chick Bowdrie. These are all fast paced stories of outlaws and long odds but Bowdrie always getting his man. Some interesting historical facts are mixed in between stories that are interesting as well.

Highly recommended, all stories are around 20 pages so can be read quickly when you don't have much time.

[Mateo Tomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Strange Pursuit" was the best short story in this book of short stories featuring Chick Bowery.

“That man who did the fighting was born in Alabama. In Tuscaloosa.”

"But he claimed it was Arkansas!"

"Know any better way of startin' a fight than by insistin'
a man is dead wrong when he knows he's right?"

"He started that fight a-purpose?"

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short Western stories based on historical facts which L'Amour discusses before each story. Most center around the same character, Bowdrie, a Texas Ranger. An excellent read for the Western fan.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best western writer!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've come to enjoy the stories of Louis L'Amour, who was once one of America's most popular authors. While he does generally write many western tales, I've found that each of them have an element that separates them from the other books of his that I've read.
In Bowdrie's Law, the man character, Bowdrie, is a Texas Ranger from the frontier days working to bring law and order to the large, open area of Texas lawlessness. While this is certainly territory you can find in other novels, films, and television, I find that L'Amour's writing style brings you right into his adventure stories. This book unfolds as a series of short stories in which Bowdrie is always the central character. Some have a whodunit appeal and others are more straightforward. In each you learn a bit about the main character, gathering a picture of him over the course of the book. There are also 'Historical Notes" that between many of the short stories. Each tells a short piece of historical information, in a page or so, that adds a bit of context to the following tale.
Although I'm not sure that I'll keep this particular book as part of my collection, I did find this to be a worthwhile read. I've learned that the character of Bowdrie does appear in other L'Amour novels and I wouldn't mind meeting him again someday. Enjoy!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of western short stories featuring Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie, authored by Louis L'Amour. 10 stories which could have been monotonous, featuring a Ranger tracking down a bad guy who has committed a crime, but avoid that fate. Bowdrie's comments about the clues he is following add to the interest (Marks near the top of the boot where a rider has knelt near a fire indicate he was wearing old-fashioned boots with mule-ear straps). Notable stories include: Bowdrie joins up in "McNelly Knows a Ranger"; he joins forces with a fugitive in "Down Sonora Way"; and, he gets to know his quarry during a "Strange Pursuit".

Short Story Collections - Lawman, manhunter, peacemaker--it takes a hard breed of man to survive as a Texas Ranger, but Chick Bowdrie stands head and shoulder above the rest. This collection includes: McNelly Knows a Ranger • Where Buzzards Fly • Case Closed - No Prisoners • Down Sonora Way • The Road to Casa Peidra • A Ranger Rides to Town • South of Deadwood • The Outlaws of Poplar Creek • Rain on the Mountain Fork • Strange Pursuit

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first L'Amour I've read in a long time, and I remember the others as being better than this. This one is a collection of very short stories, interspersed with some actual historical data about the wild west. Bowdrie, the protagonist, has none of the doubts or bad luck of normal humans. His skin has been creased and his belt buckle hit by bullets more than even the laws of chance would allow. He is careless about where he goes, and appears to believe none of his captives are going to try to get away, but fortunately no one ever successfully takes advantage of his foolishness. Needless to say, no bad guys are faster on the draw than he is, and when he is ambushed the shooter always misses. Frankly, it all gets a little boring. On the plus side, L'Amour's eye for scenery and early western clothing and gear is terrific, so there's always that. If you want very good western writing, try Elmore Leonard (yep, really), Larry McMurtry or even Zane Grey.

[Larry Hostetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie, this is a great book to read in bite-sized portions. Interspersed between the stories are historical notes about people and places that add to the interest in the stories.

As it says on page 201 of my edition, “...Bowdrie had been riding with the Rangers, and if they wanted a man, they got him, if not now, later, but get him they would.”

What I learned from this book is the lengths to which they would go. Not set only in Texas, the stories (and criminals) lead Bowdrie as far as Deadwood and northern Arizona as well as into Mexico.

Short stories don’t lend themselves to a great deal of insight into typical L’Amour subjects. But there are mysteries and chases that show how a single Ranger uses every trick possible to get their man.

A good read.

[Ward G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a series of short stories. That kind of relate and display the character Bowdrie.

Trouble is, these seem to have been written.
Maybe as part of a western magazine or pulp.
Several of the tales. Drop you into the middle of the action.

Few of the plots, could have been great stories.
Yet these simply, snippets. That appear to have been space oriented, not content.
Kind of like not getting the whole story.
Either with the opening or ending. More would have come.
Yet you never know how it played out, for the characters. Just ended at that point.

Some interesting historical facts, thrown in by the author.
Yet just does not seem to satisfy, like a full tale would.

Easily paints scenes and action, with words.
Just none of the shorts that complete.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished 26th february 2025 good read three stars i liked it nothing less nothing more kindle library loaner have read two dozen or more from l'amour enjoyed them all. this one curious after reading so many law or the lack thereof and order or the lack thereof stories with digital investigations and forensic accounting bowdrie a texas ranger in these stories getting to the bottom of things. i miss the old days rawhide bonanza the rifleman and movies too many to count. what do they have today, some retarded fucking man thinks he's a fucking woman and the cast swooning away to the ground?
count me fucking out. take it and stick it up your fuckin craw if that gets you off.

[Laurie Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people in my life influenced my interest in reading including both of my parents (who preferred non-fiction), a great aunt (who read Dostoevsky and encouraged me to push the limits of my reading), and my maternal grandfather, who read Louis L'Amour. He was a big man, a carpenter by trade who also farmed, and was soft-spoken and kind. I've been meaning to try a Louis L'Amour to see what he saw in these books and somehow connect with him. I came away with a few thoughts.

My grandfather was born in the late 1890's. L'Amour was a contemporary, and I can imagine for young boys of that generation, the lore of the Wild West was a part of their early play and imagination. L'Amour proved to be well-read and learned in the history of the West, and throughout this collection of short stories interjected historical backgrounds to support some stories. Well written and enjoyable to read, I loved sensing what my grandfather must have felt and, for a short while, enter the world he inhabited with those small books in his large hands.

[kid cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really refreshing book overall. It’s just something to sit back and enjoy. L’Amour’s writing was perfect in describing everything, I could picture everything clearly, and I was never bored. There’s no reason for me to give it four stars, it was perfect. A great read for someone who needs a break from all the new books out today that are just full of stuff we don’t need to read.

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!! I love his books !!! They are very entertaining, if you like cowboy stories, the fights, the scenery, the characters, the trama, fists flying left and right, gun barrels rolling, and horses running. It's like I'm right there, watching them from the corner of the saloon wiskey on hand.

[Kurt Vosper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series of short stories featuring the Texas Ranger Bowdrie. A decent read. Some of the ‘detective’ stories move along with leaps and bounds that Bowdrie notices but are not shared with the reader until revealed. Still some good Western tales.

[Afshin Afshar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of short stories revolving around the same main character. A few are clearly more entertaining than others, but fun read regardless.

[Robert Lariviere · Rating 1 out of 5]

good reAD BY TOP WESTER AUTHOR.

[Travis Summerlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the stories range from good to great, with Down Sonora Way being the standout.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr L'amour's second volume of Chick Bowdrie stories does not disappoint.

[Jonathan Jerden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent short story compilation - this time all involving young Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie.

[Charles Lovelace, III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of short stories involving Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie.