Customer Reviews

Last Stand at Papago Wells

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Last Stand at Papago Wells," by Louis L'Amour, takes place in the western Arizona desert not long after the end of the American Civil War. As the story unfolds, a diverse group of individuals converge on the reservoir of the book's title, where they face the fury of an Indian force led by a half-Yaqui, half-Apache bandit.

I have been aware of Louis L'Amour's position as a literary phenomenon for some time; according to the author bio at the end of this book, he wrote more than 100 books (his first full-length novel being published in 1953). "Last Stand" is the first L'Amour book I have read.

"Last Stand" is a solid adventure. L'Amour fills the narrative with intriguing details, and creates a powerful portrait of the land itself. I really got a sense of the danger posed both by the harsh environment and the equally harsh human beings who populate the region. One might say that the ancient, unforgiving desert is the most significant "character" in the book.

The characters include Logan Cates, an archetypal rugged hero ("a man without illusions, without wealth, place or destination"); Grant Kimbrough, a former Confederate colonel who has become a dissolute gambler; Jennifer Fair, the rebellious daughter of an important rancher; Timothy Sheehan, "leather-hard and leather tough," an immigrant and veteran soldier; and others.

There is plenty of action and suspense. Yes, some of the dialogue is corny, and some of the plot is predictable. The story has the overall feel of a morality fable. All in all, a compelling tale of greed and adventure.

Diverse parties of white men and women converge at an isolated water hole in the Arizona desert and battle Apaches, the elements, thirst and each other. Hero Logan Cates takes charge of the small band of whites who bicker among themselves between Indian attacks and his leadership is what keeps them alive through the tortuous days and nights as they are pinned down by an unseen but determined enemy. The characters are detailed and the author gives them their own personalities and strange quirks that make the story believable. A good, quick read by Louis L'Amour.

I was very pleased with my recent purchase; the book was in even better shape than described. Thank you.

THe only reason I gave the book four stars is the fact that it (and many other L'Amour books) is so predictable. Good triumphs over evil. But other than that, it was a great action-packed little story, perfect for a exciting weekend read. BUY IT!

The way I feel about this book is it was full of mysteries since the story takes a different turn in the middle because first it starts with four main characters which are logan Cates,jennifer Fair,Big Maria,Grant Kimbrough each have a different persoality.Tho each one had a different reason to go to Papago well since it was rated 4 stars was because the ending lacked a little in the whole point of the story also the reason for this is they didn't really a had alot of exitment in it besides big maria turning on them just to get the gold they had then she was taken down by logan cateswitha gun shot.Though the person who wrote this is a great book writer who is lois l'amour he lacks alot in the ending but makes good books about the old west since its good to have an image of how the old west was like in his owm point of view since everybody has a different point of view about it.Also the main character did have a good lead responsible for a shipment of gold and the life of 13 other stranger that aren't the main characters.

As the author of more than 120 titles, with more than 300 million volumes in print worldwide, Louis L'Amour (1908-1988) ranks as one of the best-selling authors in modern literary history. More impressive still, L'Amour was a serious historian, with a collection of more than 10,000 volumes in his personal library.
Although he wrote a memoir, Education of a Wandering Man, and one volume of poetry, Smoke From This Altar, all of L'Amour's remaining works are novels, most of which are set in the American West.
A good example of the author's firm historic footing can be found in Last Stand at Papago Wells, where most of the action takes place at the namesake wells, located in southern Arizona, near the infamous Camino del Diablo, sometime shortly after the Civil War.
A diverse group of characters come together at the three natural tanks, including the hero, Logan Cates, "a man without illusions, without wealth, place or destination...(who) lived without plan, following his horse's ears and coping with each day's problems as they arose;" Grant Kimbrough, a Confederate Civil War veteran, who "held his liquor well and played and an excellent game of cards;" Kimbrough's fiancé, Jennifer Fair, the only child of Jim Fair of Tucson, a man who built a ranching empire, and handled men, cattle and Apaches well, "but never learned to talk to his daughter, and therefore was never able to tell her how much she meant to him;" six posse members from Fort Yuma, survivors of a recent Indian attack; Jim Beaupre and Tony Lugo, the latter a Pima Indian, the objects of the posse's search; Junie Hachett, a young girl recently escaped from the same band of Indians that had attacked the posse; Lonnie Foreman, a young man from West Virginia, who knew how to use a rifle, and Big Maria, on the run with a pack saddle full of stolen gold.
The group come under attack by the band Indians led by Churupati, a "half-Apache, half-Yaqui, all savage...accepted by neither tribe, from each he drew malcontents, denied by their own people, hating the white man, living only for murder and rapine."
Fighting off the Indians as well as one another, the group, suffering from heat, hunger, thirst and an awesome sandstorm, spends several days hoping that help will arrive.
Last Stand at Papago Wells is a good story and a fast read; perfect entertainment for a summer day at the pool.

...at least for me, since I live near the scene of the action. I have come to depend on Mr. L'Amour to remind me why I love this country. He does that in almost all his books, but having him talk about some place I'm familiar with is a special treat. Not that "Papago Wells" is anywhere very nice, but it is close by, and that means something to me.

Is this the best writing I've ever read? No, but that's not why I read this material. It is excellent Louis L'Amour, however.

Typical Louis L'amour book. Liked it because it was in Arizona and I lived there for 42 Years. I know how hot and dry the desert can get.

If televison and the movies could still make shows like this book reads, Westerns would still be in vogue on both the big and small screens...Great character development, intensity and uncertainty grow with each page...And you aren't quite sure how or if it will all turn out until the very end...Keep on Reading...Good book. Not his best perhaps, but good, very good, nonetheless. It's well worth the read, but don't get to comfortable. Indians, hostile Indians, are every where.