The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Walking Drum
Book Review: Book review
Summary: 5 Stars
Book was received in a very timely manner and in the condition stated on the screen when purchased.Book Review: Debbie
Summary: 5 Stars
In my mind, this is one of the best Lamour novels. I have read it twice and found it equally entertaining each time. Love the history and research that went into The Walking Drum.Book Review: Disaapointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I have read many L"Amour titles and enjoy them a great deal. The Sackett series is my favorite. Consequently, I start with high expectations for the author. Walking Drum is definitely different in theme and period (12th century) and that is why I was attracted. The early Sackett stories take place in Europe. The story starts out intriguing and in dramatic fashion in Brittany. For the first few chapters the rapid pace and changing settings are interesting. However after a while there are frequent and abrupt changes of settings, scenes and characters with little or no transition. Some characters are introduced in a flash with no effort to build their background or role. The chase across Europe becomes chaotic and the storyline is muddled. Unlike other main characters, Kerbouchard is not completely likeable as he is portrayed in extremely arrogant fashion and has the idea every woman in the world is immediately infatuated with him, even in circumstances where he is disgusting. The constant attention of rich, powerful and beautiful woman to Kerbouchard is unbelievable, except in the author's mind. Near the end so many different female love interests are introduced it is preposterous. A few are not even explained or developed. To a certain extent, the story line is similar to some modern Hollywood movies where they figure as long as they have special effects and beautiful people the story is not important. One final complaint is the ongoing cheerleading by the author of Islam almost in preaching fashion. Instead of simply mentioning positive contributions, he goes overboard to the point of demeaning the non-Islamic and Christian world - again, out of place in an action novel. This could have used a huge amount of editing.Book Review: Do NOT read if you have anything to do for thenext 12 hours.
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Edgar Rice Burroughs would be honored.
Summary: 5 Stars
Seems to be L'Amour's homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs' multi-novel JOHN CARTER OF MARS series since it uses many of the same plot devices as well as structure. Heros of both works of fiction become almost mythic world figures, masters of the sword and superheroes on their respective primitive planets, rescuing an endless list of princesses from horrific dungeons and towers and evil villains in what can best be described as a serial of short stories more than a linear novel. The popularity of Burrough's work speaks for itself and considering George Lucas lifted much of the original Star Wars trilogy from JOHN CARTER OF MARS its not surprising that L'Amour give it a whirl next. Both did pretty well. If you like one you'll certainly like the others. One must appreciate the genre however. You can't read a mystery and not like it because its a mystery. This is pulp fiction action-adventure. The science-fiction of Burrough's is replaced here with a close-up view of life in 12-century Europe and Middle East so some nice bits of history are taught along the way (and a bit of history trivia). The novel is also high on ethics (do what's right despite it all), high on adventure, and as can be expected from this type of novel, a whole lot of fun.