The Iron Marshal: A Novel [Paperback]

Louis L'Amour (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1993

He was a tough enforcer for a New York gang. But when young Tom Shanaghy made one too many enemies, he skipped town on a fast-moving freight. He landed in a small Kansas town that had big dreams, no name, and the need for an honest lawman. Tom figured that a knuckle-and-skull man from Five Points would be perfect for the job. He didn’t know that a high-stakes cattle drive was headed his way and that leading it was a vindictive rancher bent on settling an old score, even if he had to destroy the town to do it. Tom had himself stuck in the middle of the feud before sunset on his first day in town. All he could do was hope that his years on the Bowery had left him with the smarts he needed to keep himself alive.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Tom Shanaghy was iron-tough, but he was no lawman. Back in New York, he'd been the strong-arm for an infamous Irish gang. But when he jumped a westbound train to escape a deadly street war, fate sent him to a small Kansas town on the brink of its own violent battle. The townspeople were sorely in need of a marshal, and they convinced Shanaghy to pin on the badge. Now he must wade into the fight of his life, one that will show him just how tough this new land really is.

From the Inside Flap

Tom Shanaghy was iron-tough, but he was no lawman. Back in New York, he'd been the strong-arm for an infamous Irish gang. But when he jumped a westbound train to escape a deadly street war, fate sent him to a small Kansas town on the brink of its own violent battle. The townspeople were sorely in need of a marshal, and they convinced Shanaghy to pin on the badge. Now he must wade into the fight of his life, one that will show him just how tough this new land really is.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 2 edition (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553248448
• ISBN-13: 978-0553248449
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.7 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Westerns > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Louis L'Amour was in his prime., January 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Iron Marshal: A Novel (Paperback)

This book brings out the marshal in all of us. The love of the land and the wild frontier is in it's glory. When Tom jumps that train to get away from a street fight he ends up in a constant fight of life. This fight seemes to make him a better man. This was the first book buy L'Amour I ever read and I have not put one down sense. (8yrs.) Any one that wishes they were born a hundred years earlier like me will love this book. Mr. L'Amour wil be sorley missed, he was a great author and an even greater gentleman.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...it seems you can fight a little, and it seems you must., December 13, 2003

By 

A. Reum (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Iron Marshal: A Novel (Paperback)

This is a fine afternoon book, short and easy to read. The twists and turns kept it moving. I had forgotten how much fun the Iron Marshal is.

The Iron Marshal once again proves Louis L'Amour's incredible range and command of historical fiction. Others may tell the tale of the west, but this novel takes us deeper into the understanding of the life of an immigrant newcomer and how he becomes a part of the western expansion.

Tom Shanaghy is just a boy when the story begins. He's alone and in a strange New York City. Without father or mother this young boy is forced to make it alone. The street becomes his teacher and like so many other young Irishman, he becomes embroiled in political disputes and controversies that force manhood upon him.

Tom seems to be alive only for the moment and this is noticed by the one man he truly trusts. McCarthy, his mentor and teacher, suggests that Tom break away from the road he is traveling. It leads to only one place and that place is somewhere without the support of the powerful people that rely upon his keen mind and strong arm. One day he'll mean nothing to them and he'll find himself alone.

Through events outside of his control, Tom finds himself heading West. From here the story takes on an interesting quality. It's out of control. Many of L'Amour's books follow the tale, but the Iron Marshal is hijacked by the greed of multiple individuals and he again finds himself thrust into a position he had no wanting for.

As an immigrant and eastern city man, this young Marshal is without the keen sense of tracking, rope craft, and small town living. He must rely on near total strangers to unravel the mysteries surrounding him. He also finds himself doubting all of the central characters. Who's a part of scandal and who is not.? How can he protect those that are potentially trying to kill him and this two-bit Kansas town?

Without explanation, the rug is pulled from beneath him and even the few assets he had to work with appear to have been destroyed. Tom, the Marshal, the chief suspect? What was happening? He was the only genuine chance this town had. They were going to move in now. All of it had come to a head right now, and in this moment it was all so clear.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a very exciteing book!, October 31, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Iron Marshall (Paperback)

I have read many of louis lamour's books and have found them to all be great. I'm 12 years old and wish i was back in the days of the west. My father and grandfather both love louis lamour books and so do I! This is one of my favorite books and has opened a new world to me. I suggest you read this book i think you will like it!