The Strong Land: A Western Sextet

by Louis L'Amour, Jon Tuska (Editor)

Louis L’Amour was the most decorated author in the history of American letters and a recipient of the Medal of Freedom. Now collected here in a single book are several of Louis L’Amour’s finest Western stories the way Mr. L’Amour wrote them. At the time Louis L’Amour was writing, it was common practice for editors to rewrite the manuscript to fit certain publishing criteria. The text of The Strong Land has been restored, and the stories within it appear as Mr. L’Amour intended for them to be read. Whether you’re new to the thrilling frontier fiction of Louis L’Amour or one of his legions of fans, these six short stories will assure you that you are in the hands of a master storyteller. Included here “The One for the Mohave Kid,” “His Brother’s Debt,” “A Strong Land Growing,” “Lit a Shuck for Texas,” “The Nester and the Paiute,” and “Barney Takes a Hand.”

Genres: Westerns, Audiobook, Fiction, Short Stories

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 16, 2012

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

[Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short stories.

[Lyndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six short stories from the 40s and 50s by Louis L'Amour. All well done.

[Steve Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a bunch of Louis L'Amour westerns in the '80's and liked them well enough. These stories I thought less of. They were early works of his, and betray a bit of immaturity in his writing that later works didn't show. Here he used action-writing cliches of the mid-20th century that are just silly.

In one story the hero shoots a gun out of a desperado's hand. In two other stories the hero gets creased across the scalp by a bullet that leaves him insensible and assumed dead. This reminded me of "The Shadow" and "Doc Savage" series, where such a thing happened frequently. As in many of L'Amour's stories, the hero and the girl fall in love at first site (Note: It doesn't work that way.) Oh...and being a fast draw was a thing in a gunfight.

These may not have been cliches when L'Amour wrote these pieces, but they certainly became so since then.

Two of the heroes in two of the six stories here have scarred pasts because they accidentally shot someone they deeply cared about. The scenarios are identical.

Was it worth listening to? Yeah. It passed the time in the car on a long ride. Was it good? Not really. It was cowboy action of the forties, fifties and sixties. It's the stuff I grew up watching in movie theaters and television.

[Michael Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Louis L'Amour doesn't disappoint!

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immediacy of images, feels like I'm really there, heroes are my friends. Expressions like "plump and gossipy widow .. Niagara of conversation" p 71 say everything and bring a smile. I like his style. A powerful hurt damages hero in both stories #2 and #3, where he accidentally killed beloved brother, in blood or heart. Worthwhile tales are retold over centuries.

1 The One for the Mohave Kid

"By the time he was twenty-two .. had killed twenty-nine, for the Kid had killed a few when they didn't know he was in the country .. nine of them had been killed with something like an even break" p 14. "A few doors of the clan were closed .. sheltered a viper" p 16. "Ab Kale .. thirty-three when electd marshal of the cow town of Hinkley, and he owned a little spread" p 15 .. "thirty-four he married Annie Holdstock" p 16 "three men .. killed in fair, stand-up gunfights" p 17. "Ab was forty when he had his showdown with the Mohave Kid" p 17 "likely to shoot from ambush" p 21.

"Riley McLean .. nineteen, six feet tall, and lean as a rail" p 17 two years earlier. Ab took the boy under his wing "like a son" p 21, taught shooting, "no day passed .. did not take to the hills for practice" p 20, "never draw it unless you mean to kill" p 23. Ab invited Riley to dinner two months later, step-daughter Ruth "opened the door and she fell in love. And the feeling was mutual" p 21.

Ab has to tell Kid to leave town. Riley rides fastd, gathers Holdstock kin to warn Kid away. Days later in a rainstorm, Kid catches Ab shoveling a ditch, his slicker over his gun. When Ab falls, Riley steps forward. Riley is faster "born to the gun" p 32, kills Kid. Shovel handle blocked bullet, saved Ab.

2 His Brother's Debt

When Rock Casaday runs from a bar fight with Ben Kerr, he fears the "Yellow as saffron" p 35 moniker sticks, and keeps on avoiding conflicts. At the Three Spoke Wheel, pretty Sue Landon hopes he will stay. He shoots the head off "one of the biggest rattlers Cat [McLeod] had ever seen" to "a bloody stump" p 41, and dumps bully Pete Vorys in the town water tank.

Rock confides in old loner Cat McLeod how he accidentally killed his own beloved brother Jack. He heads back to town, straps on gun, faces down and kills Kerr. Vorys runs away. Rock tells Sue "My heart's been right here all the time" p 63.

3 A Strong Land Growing

Marshal Fitz Moore brought order to the town "nine months since the last killing" p 78. Today he sees trouble, "had taken particular care to study the methods of the Henry outfit" p 65, "the town was marked for a raid within two hours. And he was marked for death" p 66. Whoosh. Threat start your heart pumping?

Air of romance, mystery "girl with the gray eyes? Her face was both delicate and strong .. seemed familiar" p 71 solidifies to name "Julia Heath, the sum total of all he had ever wanted in a girl" p 78.

L'Amour work is re-readable. "Jack Thomas .. was a good-natured man, but too inquisitive, too dirty" p 80 can have a double meaning, as in 'dirty cop'. Having read the ending doesn't mean remembering crucial events "if anything happens to me, I want you to have this job" p 80 "You're twenty-six, Johnny, and it's time you grew up" shows author sees human nature.


4 Lit a Shuck for Texas

The Sandy Kid 19, known only by his nickname, takes his time to consider his next move when no need to rush. He finds gold, falls down a crevice, "experience in reading sign" p 90 deciphers skeleton, bullets, sack of rocks to "murdered man" p 92. Cholly, cook, recalls "Jim Kurland .. mined" missing since "a year ago .. daughter works down to Wright's Store" p 93.

A short story only has room for one girl to match our hero, so will this "lean six feet" p 94 like Betty Kurland whose "face went white" at the pocket knife he found and "laid it on the shirts" he buys? Her eyes "large and dark .. he had never looked into eyes that were like hers. And her lips -- she had right nice lips" p 96. No need for flowery phrases where simple suffice. Or will an unpredictable L'Amour hero ride out alone?

Sandy shoots off a boot heel when a stranger shoots at him. In "man's trousers and a man's shirt" 107 out flounces Betty, snapping "That's different!" over her first shot. "Such feminine logic was so amazing that he gulped and swallowed" p 107. An amusing take on gender differences from author raised in last century.

Sandy "preoccupied with the girl" p 108, walks unprepared right into the villains caught cold. When Swarr jams his cigarette at her naked foot, Betty screams. Sandy shoots down his crooked boss Wald, while Dutch switches sides, kills Swarr, but dies saying "Never was no hand to abuse women" p 111. Betty heard Dutch always got drunk and bitter because Apaches burned and killed his wife, so jerked her foot away from the flame, yelled for Dutch's sympathy.

Betty is smart and pretty. Sandy, afraid of a "a-setting in church and a-wearing a fried shirt" p 113 as in 'highly starched' (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid...), turns down her offer of half stake. He fulfills the title and rides away from the girl "a dim figure on the skyline" p 113.

5 The Nester and the Paiute

Everything builds up to a simple sweet sharp joke. Narrator first starts down trail because his "bump of curiosity was too big for my britches .. honing to see some of those fracases yourself" p 118. When he sees Paiute murdered Sheriff Todd "got my dander up" .. stolen my girl [Julie] and I was a wild man" p 123. 'Nester' is settler pinching off land from big rancher. Bin Morley has "difference .. partly the gun and partly that look in his eyes" p 115 ""kind of cold and gray" p 116. His "Spencer .56, she has a bellow like a mad bull in a rock cañon" p 124. He "wouldn't scare a copper cent" p 126.

What draws nester's "long leg"s p 115 and "long-legged yellow horse" p 123 away from three years hard work on claim? Why pursue for "two whole days" p 127 a "part Paiute .. pure poison" p 118 "big, sullen brute .. moves around over the hills like a ghost" p 119? A joint of ham. "Ma and me ain't et no hawg meat since we left Missouri, coming three year ago .. beef .. Too durned stringy. Gets in my teeth!" p 128.

6 Barney Takes a Hand

A big black-haired stranger in rough shape "raw power" p 136 shows up when Tess expects Rex Tilden, sends off Harrington and Clyde, villains, "brutal" tough ordered by "smooth" slime p 132. Odd how little each tells the other, yet man helps woman, both unknown to each other.

Barney found Rex dying three days ago, "asked to help .. nobody else around" p 137 clear her thousand dollar debt to Clyde, who wants her land, "water on government land above hers" p 136. She lacks "money to pay", he accepts "working share .. Fifty-fifty" p 139.

Barney clears dam, ties up "killer .. quick as a snake" Silva guarding. When shot from behind, scalp wound "badly swollen .. bled profusely", his enemies "decided the bullet had entered his skull" p 143. "In school, too many years ago, he had been an artist with a bean-shooter", direct hit on "beak of a nose .. tied him securely" watching Tess's empty farm. Safe in town, Tess was evicted by sheriff and "some papers" p 148.

Hair still "thick with dust .. face stained with blood", Barney proposes boxing bout "skin-tight kid gloves .. Wyoming Slasher .. one thousand dollars" p 147. Not odd that first bar he enters has opponent who can post purse needed? He telegrams "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party" p 148.

On "the day of the fight .. A little after noon" p 149, train brings nine passengers who form protective "flying wedge" against "Harrington's thugs" trying tear down ring posts after Barney wins. "The big man with the anchors on his hands", blue tattoos, identifies Clyde to Sheriff "man who killed Rex Tilden .. with that Krag Jorgenson rifle .. never seen another like it" rare p 156 Kid gloves stopped claims of cheating.

Clyde draws on Barney. Barney shoots Clyde. Clyde "pitched over on his face". Sheriff takes Harington away. Tess "eyes misty and suddenly tender", agrees "fifty-fifty deal .. still go .. for as long as you want". He responds quietly "for always" p 157.

Five pages of detail blow-by-blow fight, nitty-gritty. Too many coincidences, strangers, secrets. But similar themes are strong. Hero answers call from stranded girl, does what he does best, calls on friends he knows will come. Karma pays back. Happy ever after.

[Sean McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read any of these classic westerns, and I figured it was about time to see what they were like. I was surprised to find that nearly every one of these stories was reminiscent (to me) of the old spaghetti westerns. Each of a story of a hard man living in the harsher west, but I was surprised to find that there was very little gun slinging in this collection. It could be the theme of this collection was more about the harshness of the land, instead of the people who inhabit it, but it was still enjoyable.
The writing was sound as well. I always thought that these would be pretty simplistic in style, but these are well told, lyrical at times, and direct at others.
It's a fun collection, but I wish it was a longer story. We'll see how I like some of the longer pieces he's written.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One for the Mohave Kid – For every bad man born there’s a man born to take him.
His Brother's Debt – An emotional tale of a supposed coward who sheds his stripe.
A Strong Land Growing – An introspective look at the terror and chaos of a gunfight.
Lit a Shuck for Texas – Dead men do tell tales.
The Nester and the Paiute – The astonishing price of a ham!
Barney Takes a Hand – Salvation came walking out of the desert.

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Six stories, that make a "sextet'. I feel that not one of the six stories is memorable.
I like L'Amour's crisp writing style, his characters, and his descriptions of the Western landscape.
Unfortunately in this collection he seems to me on a treadmill with the same plots and the same outcomes.
The best thing about this book is the detailed forward that shares a biography of this amazing author's early life.
I am glad that they included that.

[Richard Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six very good stories of the Old West by the master. All were familiar from being included in many collections and anthologies that I have read in the past--except for "Barney Takes a Hand." As always, I recommend L'Amour without hesitation. I listened to this on audio CD borrowed from an online library.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I liked this collection, but there was only one I particularly cared for in it. The others were a huge helping of mediocre. It was obvious this was old and from early in someone's career because I don't think they'd sell today and they certainly would not have been enough to launch a career as they did back then.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

A volume containing six short stories -- 4 that I have read (or heard) before, and two new ones. The new ones make it worthwhile, while the 4 repeats were worth listening to again. I think I like L'Amour short stories more than his novels. This short collection will give you a good cross section of what he does, and you will enjoy them.

[Bill Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need some short Westerns to change it up a bit and Louis L’Amour fits the bill very nicely. This whole collection was a very short read but I enjoyed each of the stories in it. The good guys are good and the bad guys are bad. Simple yet entertaining. 4.5 stars.

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great collection.

This Collection of Western stories is another example of L'Amours Great writing about the west. Everyone should get a chance to read Hi s stories About the West. They're hard to put-down Until the very end

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of early L'Amour short stories of typical fare. His Brother's Debt and The Nester and the Paiute are repeats of another grouping I listened to.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading Louis L'Amour books. He doesn't disappoint.

[Joel Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short stories. Hit the spot for a western itch!

[john willows · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read!!!

A worthwhile read! Each story holds your interest and the action sequences are well written. Most L'Amour books and stories are worth seeking out.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because I recently learned my Grandpa Ford loved this author and read everything he wrote. I liked it too and I feel closer to my grandpa now, having shared the story.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice set of stories.

[Jim Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK

[Christy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average collection of short stories.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 30-40m short stories.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis L’Amour is a classic! When you listen/read his books, you can almost see them play out in your imagination. Clean, pure excitement in each story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read Louis L’Amoir for decades! But it was a fun diversion of six short stories. Ok … back to more recent books now :-)

[Barb Ratcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six short stories by Louis Lamar, a fun read.

[Steven Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good early Louis L’Amour short stories.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early short stories by L'Amour as he worked out hist style. Some of them are worth reading.

[Robert Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Western Shorts

Very well written and fast paced short stories. I wanted to get to the end of each. Enjoyable reading. Wonder how well they might sound read aloud?

[Adam Scinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

6 short stories in the old west absolutely beautiful.
Louis L`Amour writes so beautifully that even if you don’t like old westerns you have to give him a shot it’s really good stuff.

[Kellie Winegar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louis L’amour can not write a bad book in my opinion. His descriptions of things and lands and people pull me right into the book. I feel like I’m living the same life. You know the saying of being a fly on the wall well I am more than that I am the extra. These short stories were fantastic!!!!!