Rating: Four Stars ****
Genre: Western
Summary: Rock Bannon was once a stranger to the pack of settlers looking for a home in the west, until he saves them from a ravaging Indian attack. Ever since Rock has joined them on the wagon trail and has had his eye on a green-eyed Sharon Crockett. Rock has always been dark and quiet about his past, so the settlers on the wagon train can't help but be suspicious of him when the handsome, smooth talker Morton Harper comes striding in and leading them down an unknown trail to greener pastures, which Rock scornfully objects to. After a series of attacks and exchange of gunfire, the pack is finally seeing the true intentions of Mort, which is to own the greatest cattle empire of the West by killing and stealing, then taking Sharon as his wife. A one-on-one face off will tell if good will prevail evil.
Evaluation: Louis L'Amour has without a doubt a knack for storytelling. Even though the resolution may be completely predictable, the characters shine through and one can't help but vouch for the underdog and find out in the end if the good will actually prevail. The settlers are often portrayed as simple minded and of course there is the ultimate conflict of who will win the woman's heart, but the action packed elements of Indian attacks, gunfire, and traveling on a wagon in the setting sun is an entertaining piece of fictionalized Americana.
Read-a-likes: Gunman's Goal by Max Brand
Rangers of the Lone Star and other titles by Zane Grey
Borderlands and other titles by Terry C. Johnston
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