Adventure

Chronologically the 1st book in the Sackett series. It tells the story of the founding member of the Sacketts, journey to the new world. It gives the back ground on why he decided to leave England. It shows some of the trials and tribulations of visiting the new world in the 1600s. Overall I think the book touches on the pioneer spirit and an urge for freedom that founded the United States. This is not the 1st time I have read the book, but still enjoyed it very much. I will likely read it again. ( )

Well, I wanted to try a "Western" book and I know Louis L'Amour is a prolific and popular writer, plus my maternal grandfather loved all his stories. This book was suggested by a friend as a good place to get into the genre. I forgot to mention to her that series are too hard for me to commit to right now and this one is the first of about 14 that document a family's journey from England to the wild west. It was an interesting coming to America story. I got kind of lost in the storyline a bit and the number of characters. I finished it but will not continue on. I was hoping for a more "True Grit" style story. I did love reading something that my grandpa enjoyed though and thought of him throughout the story. ( )

When Barnabas Sackett stumbles upon sudden good fortune, he can make a business investment that'll take him from England to the frontier of America. But to embark upon his new venture, he'll have to escape from a young nobleman who wants him dead in Sackett's Land by author Louis L'Amour.

Even given this late author's fame for his classic Westerns, this historical fiction adventure isn't exactly a Western. But it sets up Westerns that'll come after this first book in The Sacketts series.

Though I was drawn in by hearing that L'Amour's books don't have spelled-out profanity (a significant "plus" for this quasi-conservative reader), the way I've seen American Indians portrayed in old Western flicks made me hesitant about reading an old Western. Well, although this story doesn't depict the indigenous characters as a bunch of brainless brutes or anything, none of the other characters grow past calling them "savages." Still, there's some indication that Barnabas may do some shifting on that score...?

As for the overall story, I found it slow at times but mildly enjoyable with satisfyingly old-fashioned style. Sometimes Barnabas is too perfect and heroic but not in a goody-two-shoed way, and I was pleased to find that the story's key young woman has courage, backbone, sense, and wit. She's no oversweet or helpless damsel.

The book is slightly sloppy in the area of punctuation, with missing quotation marks and a number of other errors. But it isn't the first time I've seen errors in an older mass market paperback from Bantam.

I believe I'll try at least one more book in this series. ( )

Fun page-turner - 'prequel' to the westerns... ( )