The Walking Drum (Mass Market Paperback)

by Louis L'Amour (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Travelling across Europe and through the Byzantine wonders of Constantinople, the adventurer Kerbouchard encounters the passions and violence of an ancient world.

From the Publisher
Here is an historic adventure of extraordinary power waiting to sweep you away to exotic lands as one of the most popular writers of our time conquers new storytelling worlds. Louis L'Amour has been best known for his ability to capture the spirit and drama of the authentic American West. Now he guides his readers to an even more distant frontier -- the enthralling lands of the 12th century.

At the center of The Walking Drum is Kerbouchard, one of L'Amour's greatest heroes. Warrior, lover, scholar, Kerbouchard is a daring seeker of knowledge and fortune bound on a journey of enormous challenge, danger and revenge. Across the Europe, the Russian steppes and through the Byzantine wonder of Constantinople, gateway to Asia, Kerbouchard is thrust into the heart of the treacheries, passions, violence and dazzling wonders of a magnificent time. From castle to slave gallery, from sword-racked battlefields to a princess's secret chamber, and ultimately, to the impregnable fortress of the Valley of Assassins, The Walking Drum is a powerful adventure of an ancient world you will find every bit as riveting as Louis L'Amour's stories of the American West.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (April 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553280406
• ISBN-13: 978-0553280401
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,217 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do NOT read if you have anything to do for thenext 12 hours., November 28, 1999

By	Gwen Kramer "gwenhwyvar" (Tehachapi, CA United States) - See all my reviews

One word to sum up this book. Addictive. Totally, completely, amazingly addictive. I was up till 1:00 am because I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT! It just gets better with each reading. The period detail is fantastic. History teachers could certainly pick worse assignments although be warned, you may stand up your prom date because as stated before this book is impossible to put down!

Read it if you love any of the following:

History cool characters Love Swashbuckling Funny dialogue Fiendish villains (The guy at the end gets the prize as nastiest villain of ALL TIME)

Read it, you will never regret it although your prom date might.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of three books to profoundly influence my life, December 12, 1998

By A Customer

I was given this book for my twelveth birthday, and since then I have read it at least once a year. As a history major, I love to find books that reflect the truth of history in a beautiful and realistic way. Kerbouchard is a truly renaissance man who is on a quest to find his father, who may or may not be dead. In this quest, he travels mideval Europe, from the Christian lands of France to the Muslim lands of Spain and East to the steeps of Russia. What amazed me when I read this was that the middle ages were only the dark ages for western Europe; the Muslim lands were bright and alive and unoppressive. Kerbouchard's philosophy in life of learning for learning's sake is one I have adopted in my own travels through life.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book rocks!, January 2, 1998

By A Customer

The Walking Drum is the first historical fiction book that I've read. I was very impressed. I had read other books by L'Amour (the westerns), but decided they weren't my thing. When a friend recomended "The Walking Drum" to me, well... I cringed. But I eventually acted on faith. I am now a beliver.

The great adventures of Kerbourchard kept me in suspence all the way through. I would finish a chapter, and be too excited to see whay happened next to sleep!

Mr. L'Amour did an excellent job fleshing out the charecters as well as setting the scenes and moods. I enjoyed his attenton to detail, especially: the correct foods and titles of nobility. Geographical references were also a plus. I was able to trace in my head where Kerbouchard was traveling- enjoying the ride along.

I would recomend this book to anyone interested in culture, history, fiction and fantasy.

Excelent!