Customer Reviews

Smoke from This Altar

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

 

 

I first bought this collection of poems years ago, because I am a fan of Louis L'Amour (at the time I wasn't so much a fan of poetry). I didn't remember much of it when I picked it up again to reread it, but I am impressed. L'Amour was quite a capable poet. There are many good poems in this collection that you really won't see elsewhere.

Most people know L'Amour as a strictly Western writer. However, I have owned this book of poetry for about 6 or 7 years, and it continues to amaze me. The variety of poetical styles is impressive. There are humorous anecdotes in poem form, love poems, and haunting poems of wanderlust. Naturally, there are a lot of poems addressing wanderlust, seeing as it was a driving force in L'Amour's life. This collection is highly worthwhile if you are a L'Amour fan, and even if you are not.

I never liked liked poetry until this book. Only Louis could do it!

I'm a huge fan of the late Louis L'Amour. I've read about 20 of his westerns and at least 5 of his other novels (Yes he wrote much more than westerns). Almost all 5 stars ...see my reviews.

I'm not super big into poetry as in two literature classes I was forced to speak/analyse poems. I didn't like that.

However I enjoyed L'Amour's book of poems. Smoke From This Altar was his first book before he became a well known author. For a time this book was hard to get as it was only published in Oklahoma and only a few book stores kept it...not many copies. Later after L'Amour became one of America's greatest authors Bantam published Smoke From This Altar for national distribution. His wife Kathy had several more of his poems put in the back that were not published in the original book. That was nice of her.

The book is only 78 pages and the reader can read it in one day. I did, but plan to keep the book in my car or near my Kayak so I can read a poem of his when I have a few minutes of time and want to relate a poem to what I am going. Most of his poems can be read in a minute or less. Here is a book you can read dozens of times and enjoy his poems again and again.

Smoke from This Altar has different kinds of poems some short, some longer, some sad, happy and some thought provoking. There were 56 poems in this 78 page book. Louis L'Amour left home at 15 and had an extremely interesting life and visited many countries and had different occupations including being a professional boxer and a seaman. Some of his poems are bases on these experiences.

I liked most of his sea poems...5 stars as I was in the Navy and had a small sail boat. I could relate to them. I enjoyed his poem To Giordano Bruno, a scientist/astronomer who was burned alive in 1600 because his teachings went against the Catholic church. As a 40 year amateur astronomer I knew this and really appreciated this poem. I also liked some of the other poems where L'Amour talks about the stars and the heavens.

His poem The Gladiator that Kathy put in the back of the book I enjoyed and related it to the movie. Lots of action in my mind.

There was one of his longer poems I could not get into and I don't want to go into analyzing of poetry again but I will reread it again later. Maybe I'll enjoy it more.

I won't ruin the book by going into all his poems. I enjoyed the vast majority of them. This is is a good book to have close to you so you can read one of his poems whenever you want. Rated 4 1/3 stars but if you are a super lover of quality poetry you may rate it higher.

Enjoyed this book of poems very much. Appreciated the additional information given in the letter from Mrs L'Amour as an introduction.

I have nothing to say, other than, this book is a must read. Louis L'Amour has an unmatched way with words.

Most people know what they want when buying, and when completing a set like I was, most importantly was the shape and condition. The seller was correct and honest in his or her description which I find admirable. Thank you. I highly recommend this seller.

This book was for my dad, who has read just about every Louis L'Amour book ever written. He was elated with the book and has repeatedly commented that it is outstanding.

This was a great buy. I bought it for a friend who is a Louis LaMour fan and he only needed this book to round out his collection. It is an old book, but except for a few signs of 'wear' it was in great shape.

I am not one for westerns, but after my father handed me one of his books and said read I was instantly hooked and am now the proud keeper of my grandfather's collection.

I originally got this book for my father as a gift. And well, I will be honest as soon he set it down I would pick it up. I have my own copy now, and every time I read it I enjoy it even more. Mr. L'Amour gave us all a true gift with every book he wrote. The knowledge and experience he obtained in his lifetime made for pure genius in his writing. I wish I had the opportunity to thank him when he was with us.