Customer Reviews

Catlow

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book from June, 1963, has its locales from Tucson, Arizona Territory, to the desert areas of Sonora and Hermosilla, the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Hot buried gold with hotter desert amid rampaging Apaches and deadly Seri Indians.

This is a light-hearted romp concerning a large quantity of legendary Mexican gold (once Confederate gold actually) being moved to Mexico City via a mule train or 'conducta'. Though the United States law and the entire Mexican Army will be pursuing Bijah Catlow, he will attempt to steal the $2,000,000 dollars in gold. But a woman, a Mexican general, and passing through Seri Indian country alive (for the Seri use poison tipped arrows) are complications which have given Catlow much worry. Water will also be a problem with deposits as much as 40 to 60 miles apart, with many of them possibly dry this time of year. But Catlow figures that $2,000,000 dollars in stolen silver and gold are more than worth the risk.

Catlow's life long acquaintance, 'never truly enemies and never truly friends', with Marshal Ben Cowan is another of those complications with which Catlow must deal. Thre is a lot of humor in this novel, more so than in many Louis L'Amour books, yet there is much danger and suspense also. The book is much better than the movie, starring Yul Bryner and Richard Crenna, which changed the story greatly and played it for too much humor.

Re-reading CATLOW is always similiar to meeting up with an old friend, something I do yearly. It is another of the Louis L'Amour books that can hold a reader's returning attention, read after read.

Semper Fi.

Bijah Catlow and Ben Cowan grew up together; saved each others' life many times and even had a few good fights. It didn't come close to what they ended up involved in when they grew up and Ben became a U.S. Marshal and Catlow became an outlaw; but of couse not intentionaly. There is excitment here and danger on the lighter side and as always L'Amour leaves you feeling like you could figure our a way across the desert running from the Mexican Army. You will sure know how to find hidden water holes.

This book from June, 1963, has its locale in the desert area of Sonora, the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The Frank McCarthy painting used on the cover of the Bantam paperback has always held my interest as being somewhat unique for L'Amour books.

This is a light-hearted romp concerning a legend of Mexican gold being carried on mule train or 'conducta'. And though the United States law and the entire Mexican Army will be after Bijah Catlow he is going to try to get the gold. But the girl, the Mexican General, and passing through Seri Indian country alive, (they use poision-tipped arrows), are complications of which he hadn't reckoned. Catlow's life long friend Marshal Ben Cowan is another of those complications. There is alot of humor in this novel, but there is a danger and 'breathlessness' in it also. The book is much better than the movie, starring Yul Bryner and Richard Crenna, which played it too much for laughs.

Re-reading CATLOW is always similiar to meeting an old friend. It is another of the L'Amour books that hold one's attention in its re-reading.

Semper Fi.

Catlow is an exellent book that is full of action.The lesson that the characters learned was that it is important to persevere through hard times. The minus to this is that people with the wrong motives can suceed with what they are attempting to do. If the"bad" percever more than the "good" people they can perscervere even if the "good" people are trying to stop them and reach thier goals.Catlow is an ecelllent book for pleasure reading.

This is a hilarious book about two friends, one a sheriff and the other a wanted man! The sheriff catches his friend time and again, only to lose him. To find out the end, buy the book! Believe me, it's well worth it, 'specially to a western and Louis L'Amour fan!

Much more lighthearted than many of L'Amours works, the story of two chi ldhood friends who wind up on both sides of the law. The times were changing, th e open range was disappearing, and the big cattle ranchers did not want any new competitors. Bijah Catlow, branding maverick calves, is declared an outlaw and decides to become one. Ben Cowan, his childhood friend, has grown up to become a Deputy United States Marshall.

I admit it is hard to go wrong with such and awesome writer as Louis Lamour, and I wouldn't even say that you are wrong with this book, but in comparison to his much greater works, you could say that you should save Catlow for some other day. It is a decent exposition of two good friends who gravitate to opposite ends of the law, which makes it interesting, and I must say it did have a good ending. But overall, it seemed to go by pretty slowly and dull at times.

The Apaches, Mexico, the desert qu'aimer as Louis L'Amour. A beautiful story: you're thrown into action at the end of the turbulent 19th century.

I was unable to read this book because it is writen in Spanish, which I don,t read. Amazon does a poor job of letting the customer know when a book is not written in English.

My daughter sent this book as a Christmas present for my husband. The other books she ordered were in English - this one was in Spanish. I returned it and reordered the book, I thought in English - I received the Spanish edition again. I do like all Louis Lamour books and feel he is an excellent writer.