Louis L’Amour, the best-selling western author of all time offers up one of his most beloved tales. This is not a traditional western novel crammed full of gunfights, cattle rustling, town taming and the like, although all those things do occur in this book. Rather, this is more of a historical fiction novel, a “frontier” story depicting the harsh conditions and challenges under which a community is carved out. Ben “Bendigo” Shafter is the ideal man to face the situations that arise, wise beyond his years but always seeking out new knowledge. In the midst of becoming a leader of the town, he wonders what his future holds, as well as what the future of the town may be.
I’ve read most of Louis L’Amour’s body of work and would rank this one in the top five. Given his prolific output, that’s really saying something. I always like a good frontier yarn filled with mountain men, rough characters, and the ever-present threat of an Indian uprising. I really enjoyed the character of Bendigo Shafter and his approach to life, especially his penchant for reading whatever books he could get his hands on in order to improve himself. Having read L’Amour’s autobiography, I know that is a trait shared by both author and character. Indeed, there is quite a bit of the author’s background that infuses Bendigo, including his extensive travels during his formative years. Yes, Bendigo is a bit too perfect to be true but he struggles now and then just like we all do. And besides, it's nice once in a while to read a novel where the good guy is just that - a good guy. Several other characters provide a well-balanced “family” for Bendigo, including a fellow by the name of Ethan Sackett. Putting a Sackett in a L’Amour novel is always a wise decision. But in the end, it is the town itself that ties the events of the novel together. That feeling of building something with your own hands infuses the narrative, and to then see it grow and prosper is very fulfilling. Plenty of pitfalls occur, mistakes made, and obstacles overcome, all towards a brighter future.
This is L’Amour at his best. It’s a novel of hope, destiny, and an unerring sense that change is the only constant in our lives.
Highly recommended.
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