Grub Line Rider

by Louis L'Amour

The fury of the Wild West explodes in this thrilling dramatization of the Louis L’Amour classic Grub Line Rider. Most folks would call Kim Sartain an easygoing, peace-loving man. But the few who crossed the young drifter knew there was nothing he liked better than a good fight. When cattleman Jim Targ challenges Sartain’s right to ride across an unclaimed stretch of meadow, Sartain decides he’ll do better than ride He’ll put down stakes there and homestead the land. Soon there’s more at risk than land and pride when Targ hires a gunman to teach Sartain a permanent—and deadly—lesson.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Short Stories, Classics, Short Story Collection, Adventure

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual a well written collection. This one features deserts, tough cowboys, ranches, and stereotypical gunfights which, in real life, could have been ended with a good rifle or shotgun. Read Donald Hamilton's TWO SHOOT GUN for how it should be done.

I worked in law enforcement for many years and I can assure you that giving a bad guy an even break in a fight or confrontation never crossed my mind. I did actually have one fool yell, "Hey! No fair. You got a gun!"

Read this for entertainment in the 1950's tv westerns style not for realism.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first story in Grub Line Rider is The Black Rock Coffin Makers, a story I reviewed about a half decade ago.

I thought I would give it another try.

I don’t know whether L’Amour invented this plot but it has appeared in television Westerns, radio shows, movies and other cowboy stories. It has been used so many times that there were no real surprises. And, I thought no better of it than previously.

[Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven short stories, all very good as only L'Amour could tell them. Two were my favorites, "Ride You Tonto Raiders" (the longest) and "War Party". All the stories were carefully restored to their original magazine publication versions. Good stuff.

[Kevin Stilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of his better "tough Western cowboy" short stories, including the short story from which his excellent Bendigo Shafter was birthed.

[Brandon Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change of pace

Enjoyed these short stories. Nice change of pace from some of the other things I’m reading. Always a classic read. You know what is going to happen but there is something comforting about that fact.

[Harold Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical western

Wish that some of the short stories had been made into longer novels. Typical L'Amour westerns that are nice to read .

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was a quiet-mannered young drifter who liked few things better than a fight.

This is a collection of seven short stories first published in the 1940s and 1950s by the maestro of the western Mr Louis L'Amour. The protagonists tend to be quick on the draw and in trouble from the law or from greedy men who want to take their land. There are a couple of tales of extreme desert survival (Desert Death Song and Law of the Desert), where you may feel the need to moisten your lips from the dregs of your canteen.
Often the only law in the Wild West was the law of the gun, the protagonists would have their six shooter or Winchester ready for action. The female characters all tend to be pretty but some are feisty and resourceful, like the young widow in War Party who saves the wagon train because she knew how to communicate in the Sioux language. A lot of the familiar western tropes are here but Louis L'Amour is a natural storyteller and has the reader engaged in the story rooting for the protagonist.

It was not far, as distance goes, but there is no walk as long as the gunman’s walk, no pause as long as the pause before gunfire.

[James Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Louis L'Amour. I love the way that he brings his characters to life and keeps the action coming thick and fast! These stories will keep you hooked.

[Shannon Brydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Stories

I absolutely love L'Amour's writing. He is a King among Western novels and his collection of short stories.
I've never been a fan of short stories and I have to admit that these are bitter sweet. This collection, as all of his, are well written and have interesting storylines it's such a shame that they're only short. As I was reading I found that I had wished every one of them was actually a full novel.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western Short Stories by the Master Writer LL

LL has penned many westerns , however many of those stories were developed from short stories. There are many short stories in this novel and you can recognize the ones that were detained to a full length novels. These stories are outstanding reads for the genre.....DEHS

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Sartain is an easygoing, peaceful man when not crossed. Jim Targ challenges Sartain's right to ride across an unclaimed stretch of meadow. He decided to homestead the land. Targ hires a gunman to teach Sartain a lesson.

As always, L'Amour takes the reader into the wild west, experiencing the land, and feeling the danger. I loved it.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long enjoyed Louis L'Amour books and I like this one.

I rated this at 4 stars because I have read the full stories that some of these became. I still enjoyed rereading them, but I'm glad I only paid $.99 cents for it.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morale of the story. If you don't know who you are talking too, be polite, You may make more trouble for yourself that you realize. This was a good read.

[LUAYNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

A wonderful collection of short stories. All have strong characters and interesting endings. Highly recommended to anyone who loves cowboys, gun fighters, or the west.

[Evil Secret Ninja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a reading challenge and because my grandfather and my husband both like Louis L'Amour. I found it boring. There was one of the short stories that I enjoyed some but for the most part they were about the same. All ending in gunfights and cliche although considering the author he probably started many of the tropes. I doubt I will be reading anything more by the author or westerns unless there is a new spin to put on them.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're in the mood for a gritty tale of the old west, you can't go wrong with Louis L'Amour

[Srikanth Sreedharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had always avoided L'Amour in favour of J T Edson. This is my first L'Amour. The short stories are quite good. especially '"The War Party" and "The Law of the Desert". In fact "The Law of the Desert" is reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Ballad of the East and West".

The plots are a bit stereotypical. A lone gun man enters a community of cow boys,Ranchers and sharp-shooters. A widow or young girl struggles to run or retain her Ranch while a villain attempts to ruin her. The hero rushes to her aid, foils the villain with his fancy gunman ship and settles down with the lady. L'Amour explores this theme in so many ways. Though stereotyped the telling of these stories makes them interesting.

Good read when boredom strikes.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading Louis L"Amour books, off and on, for over 40 years. I fell in love with the Sackett family and have read all of those volumes, and expanded into the other novels that he had written. It has not been until the last 6 months that I have discovered his short stories -- and I absolutely love them. This volume had a number of different stories, but the leading men all share that same code of honor that L'Amour leading men do. The stories are long enough to cover the subject, but short enough that you can sit down and read one of them rather quickly. I highly recommend these to anyone who like Louis L'Amour, and has never discovered his world of short stories.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating short stories carrying the essence of the old west

Great characters, plenty of action, and unexpected twists as each tale of the men and women who made the American West play out the stark reality of life that still attracts interest. Each is stand-alone, compelling, memorable, and beautifully told and well worth the time

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GATHERING HEADING WEST

All the short westerns are quick and to the point. Some lead you to your own decisions about the outcome. Enjoyable reading is what I say to all.
All you cowboys and cowgirls ride easy😉

[Dan Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western stories

Western stories of tough men and women that made it through anything and everything to make the US what it is today. Even though it’s fiction you still get the feeling it comes from people’s memories passed down.

[Russell G Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting western related series of stories by an expert

Story teller. Louis L'Amour leaves no stone unturned when spins a yarn; holding your attention and increasing your desire to learn what happens in the end.

[RICHARD LEWIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way West

This book was a compilation of several short stories of western adventures. They were all good reading with lots of action and western adventure. I would definitely recommend it.

[Albert Werthmuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An other great story!

I liked the story and the characters. I have read several books by Louis L'Lamour and enjoyed them all! I will recommend the writer to my friends that enjoy a good western

[James Semanchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visit with an old friend.

I have been a fan of Louis L'Amour since I was very young. It's always good to open up one of his books to relax.

[Jeff Fortenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of shorts!!

A good mix of Louis L'Amour!! Great stories of the old West!! I would definitely recommend any of his books.

[Chester Ellenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read felt like I was there with them loved it

He is one of the best western writers I know.will read more of his work.wish I lived then.the end. Best ever

[Dennis Heizelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good bunch of short westerns.

I love Louis L'Amour. Have not read a western in a while. This was a good bunch. 3 more words.

[Mark Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good collection of L'Amour short stories. There was one repeat I'd read elsewhere...War Party. Otherwise they were all new to me.

[Michael Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Stories that were new to me and I thought that I had actually read all of the stories by Louis L’Amour.