4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ONE OF THE EARLY L'AMOUR NOVELS, BUT ONE OF THE BETTER ONES., August 27, 2008
THE BURNING HILLS was released in August, 1956, after both HONDO and GUNS OF THE TIMBERLANDS and offers excellent example of the early western writings of Louis L'Amour. Yet, for me, the book remains one of the better novels Mr. L'Amour wrote.
The main protagonist, Trace Jordan, a horse trapper has been forced to kill a man. Suffering an incapacitating wound and hunted by a posse including an able tracker, Trace Jordan requires the essential help and care of the woman named Maria Cristina. She is a wonderful central female character, one as untamed as any in western literature, and one of the better ones Louis L'Amour ever brought to life.
Another strong character in this book is Jacob Lantz, a "Dutch-Indian" tracker who could and did trail renegade Apaches successfully. A man who truly enjoyed his work very much, and his professionalism equaled his enjoyment. Jacob was the son of a Dutch trader, his mother a Ute squaw, and it was stated Lantz tracked with his "mind as well as his senses". Trace Jordan is both a wounded and trapped man and only the mercy of Maria Christina can help save him--for Jacob Lantz certainly means not to.
A movie based on this book was later made too but as usual it fell far short of reaching the drama and tension present in Louis L'Amour's written novel. Should you enjoy Louis L'Amour books, especially early L'Amour books, consider this short book as it will offer a few hours of solid reading. And after this one you only have 110 or so books of his left to read!
Though Louis L'Amour died in June, 1988, he left us many worthy books to read and re-read. Grab one pardner while they are yet available.
Semper Fi.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Older L'Amour work. Great small novel the hunted becomes the hunter. Saves pretty girl, January 22, 2012
I'm a big fan of the late Louis L'Amour, one of America's great authors. I've read 21 of his Western novels, dozens of his short stories, 5 non western novels and his first book....poems. One of my favorite authors. All of his works I've read so far are 5 or 4 stars. See my reviews.
The Burning Hills was one of his earlier works and one of the better ones of his I've read. Lots of action and good scenery description.
We see Trace Jordan and his friend having the Mustang horses they found and collected stolen and his friend killed. Trace kills one of the men responsible and a posse comes to kill him. We see them hunting him with an expert tracker. Trace comes across a beautiful Mexican woman that he eventually falls in love with but she is a wildcat and needs tender training and a loving hand.
Eventually after she gives him food and cleans his wound and Trace has time to recuperate a little from being shot, he becomes the hunter of the men hunting him. Lots of gunfighting and survival scenes. I won't say too much and ruin the story for you. Another great Western by INMO one of America's great authors and THE best Western author Louis L'Amour. Rated 5 stars
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A top western book, September 17, 2008
This book and all those that Louis L'Amour wrote are remarkable. The passionate abandon western films they find quickly fades in light of the writings of this herald the far west. L'Amour is a great author of the classic genre. I have read and reread all his books.
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