These four stories were great fun. They are early work, published in pulp magazines as magazine novels. Louis L'Amour consented to their being reprinted in this format because his fans pressured him to see more of his writing. All four of these magazine novels were later edited and expanded into full length novels.
Showdown Trail became The Tall Stranger.
A Man Called Trent became The Mountain Valley War.
The Rider of the Ruby Hills became Where the Long Grass Blows.
The Trail to Peach Meadow Canyon became Son of a Wanted Man.
Rider of the Ruby Hills was my favorite. Bill Canavan is one of the strongest characters I've met, and Louis L'Amour has a lot of strong characters. Canavan will not be cowed or walked on, despite the all-consuming presence of the cattle lords in his chosen town.
Showdown Trail was a close second; the coincidence of Rock Bannon being who he is and then ending up in that particular wagon caravan was just fun.
A Man Called Trent didn't sit quite right in my mouth, and Trail to Peach Meadow Canyon was a bit juvenile. Even though L'Amour's greenness shows in these early works, one is still impressed with his ingenuity and story-telling ability.
I have a great appreciation for the fact that L'Amour doesn't write about sex. I can pick up any of his novels and know they will be clean. There are plenty of men wanting a woman for a wife (or the bad guy wanting the same woman for pleasure) but gritty details are avoided.
I love that L'Amour focuses so strongly on right and wrong. What is the code of the good man? The code of his enemy? When can an outlaw be the good guy? What does it mean to thirst? Fear? Be hunted? Find solace? Enjoy peace? The discussion of motives, backgrounds, and intentions draws one closer to God. It's good reading.
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