Crossfire Trail: A Novel

This book is one of the best of L'Amour's work. The opening sequence aboard a ship makes for an exceptional beginning to the story of Rafe Caradec, a man who kept his word in every situation, and now that he had sworn to a dying man he would save his ranch for his wife and daughter that was what Caradec would do--come hell or high water. This book rates at the top of my list, of any western ever written.

When it comes to reading Louis L'Amour the modern western fan is faced with having to take things in context. Remember that L'Amour's works were primarily written in the fifties and sixties and, as a result, have a certain "dignity" about them that no longer applies with the westerns of today, especially those on the big screen. Take CROSSFIRE TRAIL for example. There is plenty of action here but it is painted much more subtly on L'Amour's canvass than, let's say, on those of Larry McMurtry or on Clint Eastwood's or Kevin Costner's movie screens. Frankly L'Amour or his readers would not have tolerated the raw, often harsh violence of today's western s offerings.L'Amour wrote with a clear sense of nostalgia and romance about the west. He was much for the kindred spirit of John Wayne and John Ford than of McMurtry, Eastwood or Costner. I thoroughly enjoyed CROSSFIRE TRAIL, a tale of revenge, deceit and, as is the case with all L'Amour tales, of ultimate white-hatted triumph and justice. The fan of the movie of the same title, starring Tom Selleck, should note that there are some differences between the screenplay and the book. But all in all the story is the same and is just as enjoyable in print as the story told on the big screen. Read it in the correct mindset and you have a masterpiece.Douglas McAllister

"Law was still largely a local matter". This quote is typical for this book, as the book is an action-packed, suspenseful western. L'Amour's purpose in writing this novel is to entertain the reader, and to give you a little feel of old America. He pulls this off with a depictive setting, varied characters, laid-back country accents, and lots of irony. Rafe Caradec, a rough and rowdy man, who hold his word sacred, sets out to fulfill his promise to a deadman to save his ranch and his family. Caradec is accused of being crooked himself, but finds a way to overcome. Through the setting, L'Amour is capable of putting the reader in a western, old-American frame-of-mind. "There was no trail through the tall grass but he one that mind could make, or the instinct of the cattle moving toward water...". The description of the setting throughout the novel is detailed and vivid to the mind. "A big man with wide shoulders sat at a scarred mess table...". Characterization plays a key-role in the novel. Rafe Caradec is a big and dangerous man. He is contrasted against Bruce Barkow throughout the novel. Barkow is the crook of the story, in who comes to be defeated. The plot in this story is really simplistic and flat. It's your common, everyday western. Being such, it's very predictable. As far as plot aspect goes, the novel is not very elaborate. But not to worry, the effectiveness of setting, characterization, and language make up for the ineffectiveness of the elements of plot. The language in this book is easy-reading. L'Amour uses simple diction throughout the novel. "Me for the gold fields in Nevady". Laid-back country accents are also used. This helps pull of the western feel of the novel. In conclusion, without giving it all away, that is the basics of Louis L'Amour's Crossfire Trail. This is truly a great western...now get to reading it!

"Law was still largely a local matter". This quote is typical for this book, as the book is an action-packed, suspenseful western. L'Amour's purpose in writing this novel is to entertain the reader, and to give you a little feel of old America. He pulls this off with a depictive setting, varied characters, laid-back country accents, and lots of irony. Rafe Caradec, a rough and rowdy man, who hold his word sacred, sets out to fulfill his promise to a deadman to save his ranch and his family. Caradec is accused of being crooked himself, but finds a way to overcome. Through the setting, L'Amour is capable of putting the reader in a western, old-American frame-of-mind. "There was no trail through the tall grass but he one that mind could make, or the instinct of the cattle moving toward water...". The description of the setting throughout the novel is detailed and vivid to the mind. "A big man with wide shoulders sat at a scarred mess table...". Characterization plays a key-role in the novel. Rafe Caradec is a big and dangerous man. He is contrasted against Bruce Barkow throughout the novel. Barkow is the crook of the story, in who comes to be defeated. The plot in this story is really simplistic and flat. It's your common, everyday western. Being such, it's very predictable. As far as plot aspect goes, the novel is not very elaborate. But not to worry, the effectiveness of setting, characterization, and language make up for the ineffectiveness of the elements of plot. The language in this book is easy-reading. L'Amour uses simple diction throughout the novel. "Me for the gold fields in Nevady". Laid-back country accents are also used. This helps pull of the western feel of the novel. In conclusion, without giving it all away, that is the basics of Louis L'Amour's Crossfire Trail. This is truly a great western...now get to reading it!

Hollywood does not do this book justice. Its a very good Louis L'Amour story. I am such a fan of his!! The story immediately starts out full of action and it is non stop action until it ends! Good read on a rainy day!

A RICH, AND SPLENDID STORY! It all started with a man's death. Loving to stay faithful and loyal to his partner, Rafe promises to take care of things! With the company of only one of his friends, he arrives to the certain town and have a talk with Anne, the only daughter the dead man had and tells her that her father wanted him to take care of everything among other things which included her but, she disbelieves him and turn to a handsome but evil man whom she thinks is in love with only her not in whatever her pop left for her! And so problems begin right from there! How can our hero, Rafe make Anne believe the story of her father's death, and in what he told him to do? And if she did believe him, how will he keep the big-headed man and his salty men away from her? And most of all, Will he succeed in doing all that? If you're not interested enough, I'll be happy to say that that ain't all what's in store. Louis L'Amour always finish it with a handful of spice on each story he writes! Go get it, and you won't regret it!..