Deus Misereatur

The Sackett Brand by Louis L'Amour My rating: 4 of 5 stars Energized read about a gritty form of justice in the face of handsome, successful evil. The kind of evil the uses people, then tosses them aside. The kind of justice the endures because it really is justice on behalf of others who have been wrangled and wronged, but can no longer speak. And the kind of grit that shows through impossible conditions, and yet grinds it's way forward, tumble-by-tumble, through wounds, blood-loss, and deprivation. Typical L'Amour tale, told in his gripping fashion. The kind of tale that draws the reader in, page-turning, passionate, and proud. The type of story that makes one glad of dusty valor, rugged virtue and familial vows . I happily recommend the book. View all my reviews

Sackett by Louis L'Amour My rating: 5 of 5 stars Out of the Tennessee mountains rides another Sackett, stumbling onto new adventures and becoming the flash-point where justice and injustice, civilization and barbarism meet. Louis L'Amour, master craftsman of story-telling, introduces us to William Tell Sackett, but also roughs out the sharp edge that divides civilization-building from might-makes-right. Even the 18th Century Blackstone's "Commentaries on the Laws of England" plays a significant role in the adventurous project. "Sackett" is a story of right and wrong, love found and almost lost, life and death, and working for the greater good rather than self-centered individualism. There are warm scenes of surprising compassion, even when it is costly. And there are moments when right finds it must stand up against might, even when it is life-threatening. If you're looking for an enjoyable read that has some meat and muscle, "Sackett" i...

The Daybreakers by Louis L'Amour My rating: 5 of 5 stars My oldest son loaned me a copy of "The Daybreakers," after we watched the 1979 movie "The Sacketts" with Sam Elliott, Tom Sellek, Jeff Osterhage, and Glenn Ford, which is based on the book. "The Daybrakers", first published in 1960 and reissued in 2000, is vintage L'Amour storytelling that follows two of the Sackett boys, Tyrel and Orrin, out of the Tennessee mountains to Mora, New Mexico. It accompanies them down cattle trails, through shoot-outs, into gold-mining, and on to lawyering and Law Enforcement. The novel recounts a deep and painful friendship spawned in the dust of a cattle trail that partially dies in the dust of a town street. It teases out the growing love between the two boys and their sweethearts, and love gone bad. The tale also exhibits loss of blood, family and friendship ties as thick as blood, and bad blood. "The Daybreakers" is inviting and enjoyable, entic...