Customer Reviews

Lonely on the Mountain (The Sacketts)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since Western movies seem out of favor with the film industry, it's nice to find an old-fashioned story of the wild frontier. After they receive a plea for help from cousin Logan Sackett, Tell Sackett and brothers Orrin and Tyrel join Cap Rountree and a rag-tag group of drovers to drive a herd north along the James River. In an unusual development, a couple of tough-as-nails women also join the trail drive and punch cattle beside the hardened men. The trail takes them across the Dakotas toward the Canadian high country. They encounter hostile Sioux and Blackfeet, ambush and treachery by their enemies, and a buffalo stampede that scatters the longhorns across the wooded plains.

Louis L'Amour breathes new life into the familiar elements of the Western story. The Sackett tales stress family solidarity in the face of adversity. In addition, there is L'Amour's typical emphasis on the freedom of the big sky country and the lure of distant trails. The setting is rugged and colorful, and a pleasing contrast to the hustle and noise of modern life. The novel is a quick read that doesn't require deep thought to get the point. A superior entry from the Master of the West. ;-)

Everything was right in the worlds of Tell and Tyrel Sackett until they got a message from their cousin Logan saying he needed a herd of cattle brought up north to right away, and that is when the trouble began. Lonely On The Mountain is a superb tale of family pulling together to help each other out, no matter what the circumstances may be. When you pick up this book, pack your saddle roll because you'll be trailing around with Tell, Tyrel, Orrin, and that old sidewinder Cap Rountree. You'll read about the most beautiful country on earth, and L'Amour describes it so wonderfully that you can almost imagine yourself on the prairie watching that tall grass sway in the wind like the waves on the ocean. However, there will be trouble on the way for our beloved Sacketts because not everybody wants to see them bring all that cattle through to cousin Logan. This is truly one of L'Amour's best efforts, and his use of descriptions is breathtaking. If you find yourself lazing around on a summer day, or you can't do your errands because it's raining outside, then pick this one up. You'll be transported to a time when family was the only thing you stood for, and good conquered all. Oh yeah, watch your back trail for Indians......

A mysterious message alerts the Sackett boys, Orrin, Tell, and Tyrel that their cousin Logan Sackett ( a Clinch Mountain Sackett) is in deep weeds up in Canadian gold country. Abiding by the heritage of the Sackett family to support, protect , and honor other Sacetts, this band of three strong men rush away from all of their own interests to help Logan. Very little is known of the circumstances surrounding his call for a herd of cattle, but it doesn't matter; when a Sackett needs help, Sacketts come running.

If the drive itself were not enough of a challenge, the Sackett boys find that they are hindered by local political upheaval and uncertainty about some of the hands they've brought along for the drive. There are also some unknown and unseen antagonists along the trail. Are these bandits or is this a part of the conspiracy to do Logan Sackett harm?

L'Amour adds his trademarks; intrigue, suspense, and romance. Wonderful imagery and Louis' excellent knowledge of his subject make this a great all around book. There is a special historical note from Louis in this book. I'll leave this for you to enjoy on your own.

One additional note on the Sackets. I believe Louis L'Amour was attempting to create, through his work, a bridge between the way things are and the way he thought things should be.

Take the Sackett loyalty. This isn't a quality that one finds very prevalent in today's society. Kinsmen find themselves out of contact with one another for years at a time until their relationships become as dry and destitute as any old west ghost town. Not so the Sackett family! Sacketts care and Sacketts come running when the call goes out. They give no regard to self preservation or comfort, they simply go anywhere, anytime for the good of the family and close friends.

This Sackett novel was the final Sackett novel ever completed by Louis L'Amour, in his The Sackett Companion he states his intent to write future books in the series and even bring the Sackett-Talon-Chantry novels all together. In this novel published in October, 1980, he makes mention of another work concerning Louis Riel and the Metis in 'development stages', whatever that may have meant to him. The book if it existed has never reached print. He did not allocate his time to allow us further Sackett novels so the series remains unfinished at 17 novels.

Originally THE MAN FROM THE BROKEN HILLS was listed as a Sackett novel (Sackett novel #13), however, shortly before his death on June 10, 1988, Louis states that it is a 'Talon' novel and he no longer wishes it to be considered with the Sackett books (page 245 The Sackett Companion). He also states that the first book in the Talon series has yet to be written, although again he says it has been started though set aside. So far that book has never been published either.

This book, LONELY ON THE MOUNTAIN, carries a time date of 1875-1879 as well as several others of the Sackett series: Mojave Crossing, Mustang Man, The Lonely Men, Galloway, Treasure Mountain, Ride The Dark Trail, The Sackett Brand, and The Skyliners. Therefore the entire Sackett novels, all 17, have an approximate timeline of running from "circa 1600" through "circa 1875-1879". Though Louis did not seem to prioritize the Sackett-Talon-Chantry series enough to complete it, this still represents quite an accomplishment for any western writer.

Louis states that the country of this novel, LONELY ON THE MOUNTAIN, was Dakota Territory and Sioux (Lakota) country, he goes on to mention that this was the country of his birth. "...the valley referred to where the James River and the Pipestem meet is the valley where I was born. It was a green and lovely place then and as good a place to hold cattle as any I know, with plenty of grass, water, and shade." (page 201 The Sackett Companion).

Though in this book Louis has written a meaningful book for himself concerning the area of his birth and early years, LONELY ON THE MOUNTAIN, suffers from being a somewhat disjointed effort with almost a rushed ending. In those days (1980) Louis had his Overland Express bus traveling around to various places for book signings, appearances, etc., while at the same time caught up with protecting his own copyright on many earlier writings which another publishing company (not Bantam) was issuing. Many 'irons' in the fire, so for me, as I remember those active times when this book was first issued as a Sackett paperback #16, it must have been difficult for him to come up with the dedicated concentration needed to ensure that the 3 or 4 quality books per year for which he was under contract to Bantam. At that time Louis at 72 was not a young man, dying only 8 years later at age of 80 (1908-1988).

This book, LONELY ON THE MOUNTAIN, remains very readable, yet just not of the quality of say Shalako, Dark Canyon, or High Lonesome of his earlier years. Louis L'Amour's books sell well and probably all are still in print. That should continue for the near future as well. I have the majority of his books (100 or so) in hardcover from years back, one each month through the mail @ $7.95 per month. I still enjoy reading Louis' westerns and wish he was around to finish what he started, especially his Sackett-Talon-Chantry series.

Best in western reading, pards.



For the newer readers of The Sackett Novels, listed
below is the way the novels were categorized back
in the late 1980's:

1. Sackett's Land
2. To The Far Blue Mountains
3. The Daybreakers
4. Sackett
5. Lando
6. Mojave Crossing
7. The Sackett Brand
8. The Lonely Men
9. Treasure Mountain
10. Mustang Man
11. Galloway
12. The Sky-Liners
13. The Man From The Broken Hills
14. Ride The Dark Trail
15. The Warrior's Path
16. Lonely on The Mountain
17. Ride The River



Today's Listing (from The Sackett Companion):

Sackett's Land
To The Far Blue Mountains
The Warrior's Path
Jubal Sackett
Ride The River
The Daybreakers
Sackett
Lando
Mojave Crossing
Mustang Man
The Lonely Men
Galloway
Treasure Mountain
Lonely On The Mountain
Ride The Dark Trail
The Sackett Brand
The Sky-liners

An excellent story in the L'Amour tradition. The Sackett series of novels never fails to entertain. This novel like the others is hard to put down. A long trail drive into the Canadian wilderness in answer to a letter asking for help from a fellow Sackett. Excellent story line and engaging characters.

I have been reading Louis L'Amour books since I was a teenager and now that I am grown that still hasn't changed (only now I listen to the audios due to busy schedules and long commutes). This was truly a good addition to my library and I will be buying more. The Sackett and Chic Bowdrie series are my absolute favorite!

Louis L'amour books have been around for a number of years. I remember my Uncle reading these books back in the 1950's. He is a great Author and any of his books you purchase I am sure you will enjoy. He wrote about the West as it was when it was new and wild. I recentally purchased 5 0f these books for my Grandson. He is thrilled with them.

With LAmour dead these superb sequences are coming to an end. Great adventure with all the clan of intriguing Sacketts and up to L'Amour's finest standards. Breathtaking descriptions of scenery and representation of fine vigor and action. See Aymond by Burkhart for comporable sequences.

Sackett brothers Orrin, Tyrell, and Tell team up with old sidewinder Cap Rountree to help out cousin Logan by driving a herd of cattle up north. Lonely on the Mountain is full of characterizations and adventure (even though the cattle drive doesn't start until halfway into the book).

Of course, not everybody is so nice as to allow a bunch of Sacketts to get away with doing family a favor, so the boys know to "expect Higginses," as they say (meaning to expect trouble).

Not a terrific entry in the series, but certainly worthy of the L'Amour brand.

The book was shipped on time and the condition as described. I would gladly use this seller again in the future.