Louis Lamour Book Reviews

Louis L’amour puts out some interesting tidbits about geology that show up in many of his novels.  From “The High Graders” to “Jubal Sackett” or “Taggart” there are hints of how and where to find gold, lead, sulfur or other minerals that play a key part in the lives of the frontiersmen.

Very often the details about the importance of various minerals are forgotten.  Before bullet manufacturing could be modernized, the balls used in muzzle loaders had to be made at home or in small workshops.  Before gunpowder could be processed en-mass, it had to be carefully mixed by the few who understood it and the ingredients had to be gathered where and when they could.

The gold rush was pioneered by those wise enough to recognize the gold for what it was.  Those who didn’t understand the difference between lesser metals and more valuable minerals missed a great opportunity for wealth.

As I shoveled my walk this winter, I thought about the danger of snow described in the novels of Loius L’amour.

These days when the snow falls it is mostly fun and games.  Building snowmen, and snow angels in the park and front yard leap to the minds of children.   The dangers mostly surround driving.  These days snow tires and chains are the safety equipment.

If you venture away from civilization, the dangers become similar to what Jubal Sackett or King Mabry faced.  Freezing to death in your own sweat.  Getting wet and frozen.  Getting lost.  Becoming blinded by white snow.  Starving because game is scarce and difficult to pack out with increasing other risks.

These days living through winter is a lot less difficult than it used to be, and I for one am glad for it.

Many of Louis Lamour’s novels take a moment to describe the importance of understanding the lay of the land before nightfall.  After the sun goes down the different lighting changes the way the land looks.  Jubal Sackett and Hanging Woman Creek are two simple examples where the main character spends time studying the land in preparation for potential violence at night.

I’ve never been in a gun fight, much less in a wild strange land, but I have spent considerable time camping, hiking and hunting.  I enjoy walking under the light of the moon and stars but I haven’t ever paid a lot of attention to memorizing the landscape.  These descriptive moments remind of the violence that many in the old west faced on a daily basis.

My ancestors crossed the plains in covered wagons as pioneers.  How many of  them faced dangers at night that required them to study the land often?  How many of them spent their time each evening when making camp scouting the area so that they would be prepared if an emergency came in the dark?