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The Sacketts #14
Galloway
Trouble was following Flagan Sackett with a vengeance. Captured and tortured by a band of Apaches, he had escaped into the rugged San Juan country, where he would try to stay alive until his brother Galloway could find him. But the brothers were about to find worse trouble ahead. Their plan to establish a ranch angered the Dunn clan, who had decided that the vast range would be theirs alone. Now Galloway and Flagan would face an enemy who killed for sport—but as long as other Sacketts lived, they would not fight alone . . .
176 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1970
About the author
Louis L'Amour
813 books3,143 followersLouis Dearborn L'Amour was an American novelist and short story writer. His books consisted primarily of Western novels, though he called his work "frontier stories". His most widely known Western fiction works include Last of the Breed, Hondo, Shalako, and the Sackett series. L'Amour also wrote historical fiction (The Walking Drum), science fiction (The Haunted Mesa), non-fiction (Frontier), and poetry and short-story collections. Many of his stories were made into films. His books remain popular and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death, almost all of his 105 existing works (89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two full-length works of nonfiction) were still in print, and he was "one of the world's most popular writers".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
April 22, 2015
Oh good grief! Could L'Amour not be bothered to keep any sense of continuity at all? What, he couldn't find a copy of The Sky-Liners and lookup that Flagan already had a girlfriend? Yeah, Judith ain't much, but you have two brothers right there! He couldn't throw Galloway a bone and have this one be about him?
And that's another thing! Who writes a book, names it Galloway, and then has the entire story be all about Flagan? Yeah, Flagan is an even dumber name than Galloway for a book, but he couldn't name it something like, I dunno, "blue-sky country" or something? Seriously, Galloway was barely more than background and had less screen time than Logan.
It doesn't help that the story is flat and the through-line rocky. Or that the pacing felt ragged and the characters thrown in from all over the Sackett-verse all higgledy-piggledy. Or that he resorted to completely unnecessary PoV shifts to the bad-guy camp. In short, this felt like a rush-job.
Frankly, it doesn't really deserve a full three stars. Call it two and a half with really generous rounding...
And that's another thing! Who writes a book, names it Galloway, and then has the entire story be all about Flagan? Yeah, Flagan is an even dumber name than Galloway for a book, but he couldn't name it something like, I dunno, "blue-sky country" or something? Seriously, Galloway was barely more than background and had less screen time than Logan.
It doesn't help that the story is flat and the through-line rocky. Or that the pacing felt ragged and the characters thrown in from all over the Sackett-verse all higgledy-piggledy. Or that he resorted to completely unnecessary PoV shifts to the bad-guy camp. In short, this felt like a rush-job.
Frankly, it doesn't really deserve a full three stars. Call it two and a half with really generous rounding...
January 11, 2020
A better than average L'Amour western as Flagan and Galloway decide to build a ranch in a territory where they aren't wanted. They enlist the help of Parmalee and Logan to retain their holdings while fighting off the bad guys. The only complaint I have is that the pretty gal is just too flaky for words.
February 8, 2021
What a fun book. I have always enjoyed survival in the wild books, family books, cowboys and Indians, and this book has all that plus a cool wolf. What's not to love.
I also found it interesting that the bookn is called Galloway but it's about Flagan. Again and again, L'Amour tells us that to know one is to know the other, so in a way it's like he's telling us about Galloway by telling us Flagan's story.
Also, you can't go wrong with Sacketts.
I also found it interesting that the bookn is called Galloway but it's about Flagan. Again and again, L'Amour tells us that to know one is to know the other, so in a way it's like he's telling us about Galloway by telling us Flagan's story.
Also, you can't go wrong with Sacketts.
December 27, 2022
The thing about this is book is that I had seemingly read it for no reason at all. I stole it from Walmart, actually, because it was small enough to fit under my shirt. For some reason I liked the cover- I knew the author, at least a little. My grandparents were not readers, but they did have quite a collection of books. Amongst them are reader's digest and like four Louis L'amour books. So I recognized the name from that, but I am too lazy to go look at that shelf and see which books I read as a kid.
The thing is, which is funny, is that I felt like if I didn't like the book it was my own fault because I didn't even buy it, I stole it. Also I knew it was going to be some short ass paperback work when I stuffed it into my bra, turning back to my friends while they went to go get matching pajamas. So if I didn't like the book, it was practically on me!
This book became a mini-project for me. I researched about Louis L'Amour, who did crazy fucking shit and jobs and went around the world for like no goddamned reason, and like, just wanted to learn about his authenticity. Apparently this guy did what he preached, when he called some place beautiful, he meant it with all of his western old ass heart. He also went to these places he described. People praise his works for that. He tried his hardest to be historically accurate. The thing is though, as much as I was suprised to see positive imagery of Native Americans: he often accounts the main character being taught by Cherokee as he grew up to survive the hills he wandered in as a growing boy, he talks about various native american techniques, medicinal and outfits and the influence it has on the settlers, and he talks about them with I guess the best way to say it is with nuetrality. He didn't compare the Native Americans from where he was from to the Apache outcasts that hunted and tortured him in the book. However, it still had some mystical/spirtual Native American vibe to me. While I was reading about his ability and want to stay true to the narative I was like this can't be... that fucking accurate? Right? And I was Right. This guy just had so much detail and talked about what he knew about Native Americans it just seemed like it was.
I couldn't articulate the way it truly made me feel or say clearly so I just googled the issue and read this whole guys thesis on it. I am not joking. It is called 'CRITIQUING THE REPRESENTATION OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN SELECTED NARRATIVES OF LOUIS L'AMOUR AND LARRY MCMURTRY' by Alexander Lalrinzama.
AND THIS DUDE IS SO FUCKING RIGHT. To directly quote his text: "Although L’Amour’s claims with regard to the authenticity of his terrain and guns have often been borne out, one needs to examine the author’s claim with regard to the authenticity of his Indians more closely. In popular discourse there has always been a tendency to view Indians as a generalized entity, as though they were all the same. No effort is made to observe the distinctions between the various tribes."
I am about to sound so repetitive but this guy said it far better than I could . A huge callout to him. Here is another banger from him: "Yet, despite L'Amour’s claims that his Indians are real, his narratives make no mention of the religious aspect of Indian life which is a clear indicator of the fact that the Indians in L'Amour’s narratives as not as real as the writer claims they are – at any event, there are nowhere as authentic as his landscapes. In portraying his Indians, L'Amour was simply writing from a very narrow EuroAmerican perspective which chooses to blithely ignore anything which it does not understand and does not consider important"
The general gist of Louis L'Amour novels is one of a mild western, manly fantasy. Personally I couldn't stand his books as a kid because of how he wrote women, or how his characters percieved to want a women. A manly man. Rugged. A person, mainly a tall muscled white man, who knew right from wrong and generally did what he thought was best. He was always broad and street smart, portraying L'amour's values. While this is not inherently a bad thing, hence the two stars and not one, it just seemed so empty in this book. The fantasy itself is just somewhat of a macho man thing to relate to that resembles the old TV show westerns back that our grandfathers enjoyed, full of shoot 'ems and phrases about how horses were a cowboy's most loyal companion. The other main thing about his characters is that good portion of them have either Native Americans as their enemies, or they were settlers, ranching or various other things. It shows the differnce on his characters thinking that all this land was theirs to attain, just meh. MEH. This book was Meh and I am Meh for stealing it.
I thought it was funny that he named the book Galloway, a small hallmark to how the character referenced his brother sometimes although for cringe self-depreciating reasons ( I SHIT YOU NOT. ACTUALLY ENJOYED THAT BC IT MADE ME SNICKER IN IRONY) when the book barely had him at all. I did however find it funny that was what most people complained about this book for, like how the character WAS wasn't there.
So I would reccomend this book if you randomly found it at an old thrift shop or garage sale, but actual buying? No, don't waste your five dollars or whatever this is priced. However, the beginning scene of this guy getting his naked ass kicked by nature were. Pretty enjoyable. Kudos to this guy getting his feet rubbed raw and falling in a hole and throwing a coyote carcass. (Actually Happened)
August 27, 2014
This one started out good, but, then kind of fell apart at the end.
It starts with Flagan Sackett escaping from a tribe of natives who were torturing him and about to kill him. He has the challenge of evading capture from the pursuing natives and surviving the desert...with only the loin cloth he is wearing. He manages to make fire, scratch up some food, and cloth himself all the while staying clear of the Apaches.
At this point I was into the book. It was a good mix of informative (about the desert plants and such) and suspenseful (would he manage to hide out). I was only hoping nobody would ask what I was reading - a book about this naked guy running through the desert with some natives tracking him and this strange wolf following him too.
After a run in with a guy named Curly, Flagan finds himself back in civilization, being nursed back to health by a nice looking young lady named Meg.
Then the story loses its composure. A lot of things happen in the blink of an eye; Flagan decides he wants to start a ranch in town, Flagan makes some enemies with the local land grabbers, Flagan sends letters to his Sackett kinfolk asking for help, there is a brawl, there is some shootin'...it only took about 100 pages and we have a dozen characters and a few different story lines. The depth of the book was lost at that point. It was still entertaining, especially the brawl. It was classic; the white hat cowboy, being the gentleman, throws the instigating black hat out of the store to save the store owner from having this store messed up...then he beat him to a pulp. How nice of him.
By the end of the book the bad guys have been shot up and are leaving town except for one who has one last bullet for Flagan. Instead of the fastest draw type shoot out they have a cat and mouse sniper fest up in the mountains. The last few pages were very riveting...who was going to live and who was going to die?
http://bookwormsfeastofbooks.blogspot...
It starts with Flagan Sackett escaping from a tribe of natives who were torturing him and about to kill him. He has the challenge of evading capture from the pursuing natives and surviving the desert...with only the loin cloth he is wearing. He manages to make fire, scratch up some food, and cloth himself all the while staying clear of the Apaches.
At this point I was into the book. It was a good mix of informative (about the desert plants and such) and suspenseful (would he manage to hide out). I was only hoping nobody would ask what I was reading - a book about this naked guy running through the desert with some natives tracking him and this strange wolf following him too.
After a run in with a guy named Curly, Flagan finds himself back in civilization, being nursed back to health by a nice looking young lady named Meg.
Then the story loses its composure. A lot of things happen in the blink of an eye; Flagan decides he wants to start a ranch in town, Flagan makes some enemies with the local land grabbers, Flagan sends letters to his Sackett kinfolk asking for help, there is a brawl, there is some shootin'...it only took about 100 pages and we have a dozen characters and a few different story lines. The depth of the book was lost at that point. It was still entertaining, especially the brawl. It was classic; the white hat cowboy, being the gentleman, throws the instigating black hat out of the store to save the store owner from having this store messed up...then he beat him to a pulp. How nice of him.
By the end of the book the bad guys have been shot up and are leaving town except for one who has one last bullet for Flagan. Instead of the fastest draw type shoot out they have a cat and mouse sniper fest up in the mountains. The last few pages were very riveting...who was going to live and who was going to die?
http://bookwormsfeastofbooks.blogspot...
April 23, 2024
I read this L’Amour book almost as quick as I used to in high school. I forgot how much I like the Sackett men.
“Mostly in those days our world was small. Folks got around a good bit and so we exchanged information backwards and forwards of the country. We knew about trails, marshals, bad men, bad horses, tough bartenders and the like in countries we'd never seen because word was sort of passed around.
Guns, riding, and cattle were our business, so we heard plenty of stories about tough old mossy-horn steers, about bad horses and men who could top them off. Every outfit had at least one man who was salty with a gun, and each one had a bronc rider. We bragged on our roping or cutting horses, not often the same ones, and how tough were the drives we made. We ate beans, beef, and sourdough bread, and we had molasses for sweetening. We slept out in the open, rain or shine, and we rode half-broke horses that could shake the kinks out of a snake.”
“Mostly in those days our world was small. Folks got around a good bit and so we exchanged information backwards and forwards of the country. We knew about trails, marshals, bad men, bad horses, tough bartenders and the like in countries we'd never seen because word was sort of passed around.
Guns, riding, and cattle were our business, so we heard plenty of stories about tough old mossy-horn steers, about bad horses and men who could top them off. Every outfit had at least one man who was salty with a gun, and each one had a bronc rider. We bragged on our roping or cutting horses, not often the same ones, and how tough were the drives we made. We ate beans, beef, and sourdough bread, and we had molasses for sweetening. We slept out in the open, rain or shine, and we rode half-broke horses that could shake the kinks out of a snake.”
July 9, 2015
My voice isn't much, but I often used to tell folks I was a singer, and that I'd sung for crowds of up to three thousand. I didn't tell them I was talking of cows, but they heard my voice and probably guessed.
August 7, 2019
An enjoyable read with adventure, drama, and survival. I also appreciated the inclusion of other characters from the Sackett saga.
February 5, 2020
Not quite sure why is this book called Galloway, but OK, I guess the author was running out of titles?
!!Spoilers ahead!!
The book is about Flagan Sackett mostly. The story starts him escaping an Indian village, where he was a prisoner, tortured and soon to be killed.
He escapes by chance, naked and alone, running into the mountainous woods. Once there, he employs some serious survival skills and even befriends a wolf (later learners that it’s part wolf, part dog breed that had a collar on that has been chocking him to death and that’s why it followed him to begin with).
Once out of the woods he runs into a town of Shalako, where he wants to settle down.
A generic set of bad guys, who claim the whole land around the area of the town want to run him out and later on kill him for a good measure.
His brother arrives, then other Sacketts who come not only help in need but help to settle and start a cattle ranch.
A girl is involved who is in love with one of the bad guys.
There is also a treasure hidden somewhere in the mountains (isn’t there always, though), which Flagan finds towards the end as he fights the final battle with a known sharp shooter, who was hired by the bad guys to kill him.
*****
A bit of a cookie cutter premise this far down the line of Sacketts. Not bad, not great and definitely nothing new or surprising.
The addition of a lone wolf that Flagan befriends and information on survival in the woods (usage of herbs etc.) was definitely something I enjoy very much.
!!Spoilers ahead!!
The book is about Flagan Sackett mostly. The story starts him escaping an Indian village, where he was a prisoner, tortured and soon to be killed.
He escapes by chance, naked and alone, running into the mountainous woods. Once there, he employs some serious survival skills and even befriends a wolf (later learners that it’s part wolf, part dog breed that had a collar on that has been chocking him to death and that’s why it followed him to begin with).
Once out of the woods he runs into a town of Shalako, where he wants to settle down.
A generic set of bad guys, who claim the whole land around the area of the town want to run him out and later on kill him for a good measure.
His brother arrives, then other Sacketts who come not only help in need but help to settle and start a cattle ranch.
A girl is involved who is in love with one of the bad guys.
There is also a treasure hidden somewhere in the mountains (isn’t there always, though), which Flagan finds towards the end as he fights the final battle with a known sharp shooter, who was hired by the bad guys to kill him.
*****
A bit of a cookie cutter premise this far down the line of Sacketts. Not bad, not great and definitely nothing new or surprising.
The addition of a lone wolf that Flagan befriends and information on survival in the woods (usage of herbs etc.) was definitely something I enjoy very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2024
This is a short book and relatively fast read.
This another entry in the Sackett family saga. This time it focuses on the brothers Flagan and Galloway Sackett, cousins--probably second or third--to the main Sacketts: Orrin, Tyrel and Tell. It starts out with Flagan escaping from band of renegade Jacarillo Apaches, naked and alone. Then it shifts to his brother Galloway.
When the brohers reconnect they decide to settle down near the town of Shalako near Mesa Verde in Colorado. They run afoul of an outfit that builds their herd by rustling. Flagan and Galloway call on their family connections for a herd of about 3,000 head, and plan to settle in for the long haul.
As always there are horses, guns, pretty girls, and in this case a wolf as well.
Similar to the Sackett Brand, this focuses on family connections--giving a flat-land Sackett, Parmalee, his only other appearance in a Sackett novel outside of the Sackett Brand. Logan Sackett joins up with Flagan and Galloway.
I have to confess, the title confuses me. Flagan is the storyteller, not Galloway. So why is the book titled Galloway? Another thing to confess, this is only the second time I've read this one, despite having owned a copy for decades.
This another entry in the Sackett family saga. This time it focuses on the brothers Flagan and Galloway Sackett, cousins--probably second or third--to the main Sacketts: Orrin, Tyrel and Tell. It starts out with Flagan escaping from band of renegade Jacarillo Apaches, naked and alone. Then it shifts to his brother Galloway.
When the brohers reconnect they decide to settle down near the town of Shalako near Mesa Verde in Colorado. They run afoul of an outfit that builds their herd by rustling. Flagan and Galloway call on their family connections for a herd of about 3,000 head, and plan to settle in for the long haul.
As always there are horses, guns, pretty girls, and in this case a wolf as well.
Similar to the Sackett Brand, this focuses on family connections--giving a flat-land Sackett, Parmalee, his only other appearance in a Sackett novel outside of the Sackett Brand. Logan Sackett joins up with Flagan and Galloway.
I have to confess, the title confuses me. Flagan is the storyteller, not Galloway. So why is the book titled Galloway? Another thing to confess, this is only the second time I've read this one, despite having owned a copy for decades.
March 15, 2020
Why is this book named Galloway? Yes, he is the brother of Flagan Sackett and he is the main character. Captured by the Apaches, he escapes and flees totally naked into the wilderness. He is finally rescued by a father and daughter and catches up to Galloway. They find trouble and send to their kin for help. It is action packed and takes place mainly in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona.
June 7, 2024
excellent
September 18, 2017
The book I read was Galloway by Louis L’amour. The main characters in this book are Galloway and Flagan Sackett who are brothers. The book starts out when Flagan is on his way to start a ranch in the Rocky Mountains with his brother who is already there. While on his way, he is attacked by a group of Indians. He escapes the attack and runs to the mountains. While he is on the run, he kills a elk with a rock and uses it for food. He makes his way out of the mountains and finds his brother, but they soon discover that a group of shady ranchers, the Dunns, don’t want them to start their ranch. Flagan sends a telegraph to some family for help because he knows trouble is coming. Then Logan and Parmalee Sackett, cousins of Flagan and Galloway, come to help. They fight the Dunns, win, and start their ranch.
I really liked this book it was very well written. There was never a part where I wondered what was happening or going on. It was mysterious but the points that the author was trying to make were always driven across. The characters were very well developed and they almost seemed real. The book also had such a good message when it said, “What all this was leading up to, I didn’t know, but I was willing to set and listen.” (L’amour 88). That message is that sometimes you have to think things through and listen to what others have to say before you jump to conclusions. As far as the plot goes it was very entertaining, and it was really hard to put the book down.
As I was reading this book I realized that Gallaway and I have something in common because we both have a lot of brothers and family. Also that he and myself are both really close to our families. Another thing that struck me as interesting were some of the similarities between this book and some of Louis L’amour’s other books. For example, they all take place on the American frontier. This book relates to the world in that everybody always wants a better life for themselves just as Gallaway and Flagan do by trying to start their ranch.
I really liked this book it was very well written. There was never a part where I wondered what was happening or going on. It was mysterious but the points that the author was trying to make were always driven across. The characters were very well developed and they almost seemed real. The book also had such a good message when it said, “What all this was leading up to, I didn’t know, but I was willing to set and listen.” (L’amour 88). That message is that sometimes you have to think things through and listen to what others have to say before you jump to conclusions. As far as the plot goes it was very entertaining, and it was really hard to put the book down.
As I was reading this book I realized that Gallaway and I have something in common because we both have a lot of brothers and family. Also that he and myself are both really close to our families. Another thing that struck me as interesting were some of the similarities between this book and some of Louis L’amour’s other books. For example, they all take place on the American frontier. This book relates to the world in that everybody always wants a better life for themselves just as Gallaway and Flagan do by trying to start their ranch.
July 27, 2013
Flagan Sackett is running for his life and the outlook is not good. A few minutes ago, he was the captive of Apache Indians but thanks to a diversion provided by his brother Galloway, he has a chance. Buck naked and hand-bound, all he can do is run.
Galloway and Flagan were searching for a good place to homestead when they ran afoul of the Indians. For a Sackett, however, this is just a diversion. Stranded in the wild, Flagon makes a bow-and some arrows, kills an elk for food, and fashions himself some crude clothing from the elk’s skin. In a few days, he is reunited with his brother near the town of Shallaco.
Galloway and Flagan’s troubles are only beginning. They decide that this is where they want to homestead, but the Dunn family might have something to say about that. The Dunn’s have the idea that all the land in this area belongs to them, and they are used to getting what they want. It’s been a long time since anyone dared to cross them.
The Dunn’s didn't count on the Sackett family, however. When a Sackett is in trouble, the whole family comes on the run to help out. This time it is Parmalee Sackett, and Logan of the Clinch Mountain Sackett’s that answer the call. The two families must now go head-to-head to see who will claim the land.
Most of Louis L’Amour’s Sackett audiobooks center on three brothers, Tell, Orrin, and Tyrel. Galloway , however, focuses on two other brothers, Galloway and Flagan, who are cousins to the other three. It doesn’t seem to matter which family those Sackett boys come from, they are not to be crossed. Honest and hard working to a fault, if you bring trouble to them, they’ll give you your fill in return.
I didn’t like Galloway quite as much as some of the other Sackett audiobooks. Maybe that was because it was so similar to others I have read. The Sacketts come in looking for a homestead, the bad guys try to run them out, but the bad guys end up being the ones rousted. It was interesting, however, to get a little background on this other family of Sacketts that have played small roles in Louis L'Amour's other books.
Incidentally, I thought Galloway was an odd title for this book. Galloway Sackett certainly was a major character, but the story is told from Flagan’s point of view. I wonder why Louis L’Amour didn’t call this one “Flagan?”
A while back, I listened to an audiobook called Dead Lines which was also narrated by Jason Culp. I wasn't overly impressed with Culp on that audiobook, but found myself liking him on Galloway. Jason Culp displayed a surprising variety of voices for the characters in Galloway, and although some of them sounded a bit odd, I applaud his effort to spruce up this audiobook. Perhaps western books just suit Culp’s style a little better, or vice-versa.
While Galloway wasn’t my favorite Sackett audiobook, it still had everything I have come to expect from Louis L’Amour. Indians, gun fights, and men so tough they wear out their clothes from the inside out. Galloway is a worthwhile read.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
Galloway and Flagan were searching for a good place to homestead when they ran afoul of the Indians. For a Sackett, however, this is just a diversion. Stranded in the wild, Flagon makes a bow-and some arrows, kills an elk for food, and fashions himself some crude clothing from the elk’s skin. In a few days, he is reunited with his brother near the town of Shallaco.
Galloway and Flagan’s troubles are only beginning. They decide that this is where they want to homestead, but the Dunn family might have something to say about that. The Dunn’s have the idea that all the land in this area belongs to them, and they are used to getting what they want. It’s been a long time since anyone dared to cross them.
The Dunn’s didn't count on the Sackett family, however. When a Sackett is in trouble, the whole family comes on the run to help out. This time it is Parmalee Sackett, and Logan of the Clinch Mountain Sackett’s that answer the call. The two families must now go head-to-head to see who will claim the land.
Most of Louis L’Amour’s Sackett audiobooks center on three brothers, Tell, Orrin, and Tyrel. Galloway , however, focuses on two other brothers, Galloway and Flagan, who are cousins to the other three. It doesn’t seem to matter which family those Sackett boys come from, they are not to be crossed. Honest and hard working to a fault, if you bring trouble to them, they’ll give you your fill in return.
I didn’t like Galloway quite as much as some of the other Sackett audiobooks. Maybe that was because it was so similar to others I have read. The Sacketts come in looking for a homestead, the bad guys try to run them out, but the bad guys end up being the ones rousted. It was interesting, however, to get a little background on this other family of Sacketts that have played small roles in Louis L'Amour's other books.
Incidentally, I thought Galloway was an odd title for this book. Galloway Sackett certainly was a major character, but the story is told from Flagan’s point of view. I wonder why Louis L’Amour didn’t call this one “Flagan?”
A while back, I listened to an audiobook called Dead Lines which was also narrated by Jason Culp. I wasn't overly impressed with Culp on that audiobook, but found myself liking him on Galloway. Jason Culp displayed a surprising variety of voices for the characters in Galloway, and although some of them sounded a bit odd, I applaud his effort to spruce up this audiobook. Perhaps western books just suit Culp’s style a little better, or vice-versa.
While Galloway wasn’t my favorite Sackett audiobook, it still had everything I have come to expect from Louis L’Amour. Indians, gun fights, and men so tough they wear out their clothes from the inside out. Galloway is a worthwhile read.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
January 15, 2023
I like a good hay burner. In fact, I used to teach a high school class called Great Westerns. It was fun, and Louis L’Amour was an author I had the students read along with a few others. We read short stories and a couple of novels. It was only a nine week class, so things went pretty quickly.
Galloway is a Sackett. He and Flagan are brothers, and it is really a story about them both albeit Flagan has a bigger part in the story. Two other Sacketts also show up to stir the pot; Parmalee and Logan, both as different as can be but both loyal Sacketts.
The setting is around four corners; the town is called Shalako, a town L’Amour had visions of building one day, but that never came to pass. The Dunn family is there, a bunch of bad hombres who are pretty pushy and used to having their way. Of course, the Sacketts don’t mix well with that type of behavior, so conflict is assured. There are both fist fights and gun fights with the Dunns ending up on the losing end.
And there is a girl, Meg Rossiter, lonely and pretty living with her dad and flirty with a Flagan and a couple of fellows from the bad hombres, Curly Dunn and Vern Huddy; Curly was just mean and cruel; Vern was a deadly killer. Curly tangled with both Flagan and Galloway and didn’t do so well. Vern and Flagan had it out, and the good guy won, real Western justice.
I had read this book years ago and remembered none of it, so it was fun the second time around. My copy is a little over a 100 pages, is filled with action, comments on life, and descriptions of the country. At one point L’Amour comments, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” ‘Nuff said!
Galloway is a Sackett. He and Flagan are brothers, and it is really a story about them both albeit Flagan has a bigger part in the story. Two other Sacketts also show up to stir the pot; Parmalee and Logan, both as different as can be but both loyal Sacketts.
The setting is around four corners; the town is called Shalako, a town L’Amour had visions of building one day, but that never came to pass. The Dunn family is there, a bunch of bad hombres who are pretty pushy and used to having their way. Of course, the Sacketts don’t mix well with that type of behavior, so conflict is assured. There are both fist fights and gun fights with the Dunns ending up on the losing end.
And there is a girl, Meg Rossiter, lonely and pretty living with her dad and flirty with a Flagan and a couple of fellows from the bad hombres, Curly Dunn and Vern Huddy; Curly was just mean and cruel; Vern was a deadly killer. Curly tangled with both Flagan and Galloway and didn’t do so well. Vern and Flagan had it out, and the good guy won, real Western justice.
I had read this book years ago and remembered none of it, so it was fun the second time around. My copy is a little over a 100 pages, is filled with action, comments on life, and descriptions of the country. At one point L’Amour comments, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” ‘Nuff said!
May 26, 2018
Another brilliant Sackett novel! The Sackett’s are one family you don’t want to mess with. Many Sacketts also have morals, which are sadly lacking from the world today. Some of my favourite quotes from the book include:
- There was that Texas Ranger, McDonald, who said, "There's no stopping a man who knows he's in the right and keeps-a-coming."
- Yet I had lived long enough to know that nothing lasts forever, and men torture themselves who believe that it will. The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardship I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring.
- I believe in forgiving one's enemies, but keep your hand on your gun while you do it, mentally at least. Because while you are forgiving him he may be studying ways to get at you.
- Gals like the high-spirited, high-headed kind, I've noticed. If they can't break them to harness they aren't at all what the gal wanted in the beginning, and if she can't break them they usually break her. But that's the way of it.
- There was that Texas Ranger, McDonald, who said, "There's no stopping a man who knows he's in the right and keeps-a-coming."
- Yet I had lived long enough to know that nothing lasts forever, and men torture themselves who believe that it will. The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardship I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring.
- I believe in forgiving one's enemies, but keep your hand on your gun while you do it, mentally at least. Because while you are forgiving him he may be studying ways to get at you.
- Gals like the high-spirited, high-headed kind, I've noticed. If they can't break them to harness they aren't at all what the gal wanted in the beginning, and if she can't break them they usually break her. But that's the way of it.
August 15, 2017
I like most of this author's books but I particularly like the series about the Sacketts. This clan is "all for one and one for all" and particularly suited to the rough life of the frontier. The storyline is much the same as others that I have read; they find a place where they want to build a ranch but someone is already there and objects to that plan. But as with all good stories, they win out in the end. Easy reading. Very entertaining.
November 1, 2021
This is the story of Logan and Galloway Sackett in the world of the La Plata Mountains in South-Eastern Colorado. They come up against a family named Dunn that wants to own the country and intends to kill anyone trying to make a home in the country. Sacketts however do not leave a place or die easily. Readers will enjoy the story of the wolf-dog that becomes companion to a Sackett. This is another great Sackett tale.
February 5, 2018
Of course I love the Sacketts, even if they are on the rougher side as Galloway and Flagan are. Gold, cattle and obstacles abound. And there is a pretty girl. I enjoyed the book and will continue reading the series.
Who would enjoy it? Anyone who enjoys Westerns. I lowered the rating by one star because it is one of the shorter of L'Amour's books and a bit formulaic.
Who would enjoy it? Anyone who enjoys Westerns. I lowered the rating by one star because it is one of the shorter of L'Amour's books and a bit formulaic.
September 24, 2018
This book was good and everything that you’d expect from a western. There was a colorful, if a bit stereotypical, cast of characters, from the outlaw gunslinger, to the rancher’s daughter. The plot started out with a bang and kept a good pace throughout, although the ending was less climactic than I was hoping. A solid read overall.
November 19, 2018
starts off strong, goes strong and finishes strong. Not much on building up a story or trying to be fancy. Just shooting and action. I think they had to put some cattle in it a time or two to make it a cowboy story!
short fun read.
short fun read.
August 3, 2020
Chapter XV made me laugh so hard that I cried! A bull headed western tale. If you believe such tales about wolves and black panthers living in the woods. Tall fish tales - I like to call’em! Reminds me of this dude named John Wayne.
April 16, 2018
One of the most entertaining of the Sackett Series ...
June 15, 2019
My first Louis L'Amour book and I really enjoyed it.
April 15, 2020
1879, La Plata, CO
Characters:
Flagan Sackett, Galloway Sackett, Parmalee Sackett, Nick Shadow, Logan Sackett, Curly Dunn, Alf Dunn, Rocker Dunn, Powder Face, Jobe Dunn, Bull Dunn, Vern Huddy, Meg Rossiter, John Rossiter
Years ago I read the Sackett books because I wanted to see what my father loved about Louis L'Amour, and because a girlfriend gave me two sacks of her late husband's books. Well, I have to say, I found out in the first book why my father loved them.
But I also re-read this book so I could tell if Galloway was something my husband would want to listen to while we travel. Yup! This will do the trick. This was the audio-version of Galloway and the narrator was quite good. I loved the way he tried to get the Tennessee accent right. Not quite, but a worthy try.
Flagan, as with all the Sackett relatives is an interesting character. He's particularly close to his brother Galloway. Flagan is the man in the picture, so I'm a bit curious why the book is called Galloway, since he was more or less a minor character. Flagan was not a handsome man, but his character was aboveboard as he was raised by a Christian mother. He was tall and a tough mountain man from Tennessee.
Flagan, being hunted not by one set of Indians but two, ran (literally) for his life hoping to meet up with his brother Galloway at a place where they would settle. Sadly, the Indians weren't the only enemies he would make along the way. Enter The Dunn clan who made sure to kill or run off anyone wanting to ranch in their area of the La Platt region of Colorado. Hired by Bull Dunn was a sharp shooter (aka murderer) named Vern Huddy.
The whole story was the Sacketts just trying to not die in hopes of raising cattle in this beautiful setting of Colorado.
Good book, great writing but down a star for some unnecessary language. Not foul, so to speak, just unnecessary.
August 13, 2021
Despite Galloway Sackett being the title character, I would call his brother Flagan the primary protagonist. Much of the book is told in the first-person from his point-of-view and he gets most of the coolest action scenes.
In fact, the book opens with Flagan naked and on the run while escaping from the Apaches who had been holding him prisoner. Flagan has nothing--not even clothing--and must live what is pretty much a cave-man existence. He has to make weapons & clothing and survive alone in a wilderness.
It's a fantastic action set-piece that takes up the first several chapters. The book ends with Flagan and a gunman stalking each other across a wooded mountain slope--yet another superb action set-piece.
In between, Flagan, Galloway and some other Sacketts and a few allies are building a ranch and facing off against a gang that wants to run them off. Both Flagan and his cousin Logan get into brutal fist fights with a bad guy (and few writers describe a fist fight as well a L'Amour does).
One interesting aspect of the novel is that the narration switches back and forth between first-person (from Flagan's POV) to third-person. But this never seems awkward or clunky the way it would in the hands of a lesser writer. L'Amour was a skilled enough storyteller to make this work.
In fact, the book opens with Flagan naked and on the run while escaping from the Apaches who had been holding him prisoner. Flagan has nothing--not even clothing--and must live what is pretty much a cave-man existence. He has to make weapons & clothing and survive alone in a wilderness.
It's a fantastic action set-piece that takes up the first several chapters. The book ends with Flagan and a gunman stalking each other across a wooded mountain slope--yet another superb action set-piece.
In between, Flagan, Galloway and some other Sacketts and a few allies are building a ranch and facing off against a gang that wants to run them off. Both Flagan and his cousin Logan get into brutal fist fights with a bad guy (and few writers describe a fist fight as well a L'Amour does).
One interesting aspect of the novel is that the narration switches back and forth between first-person (from Flagan's POV) to third-person. But this never seems awkward or clunky the way it would in the hands of a lesser writer. L'Amour was a skilled enough storyteller to make this work.
November 19, 2018
My son gave me this book to read a little while ago, which I just did to fill some time I had on hand. I liked it very much because it has a message that is relevant even though it was published over four decades ago.
The title of the book is Galloway but the leading character is his brother Flagan who escapes from an Indian tribe that tries to kill him. He survives in the wild and the mountain by dining on elk meat, making a covering for his naked body from the hide of the elk, also making moccasins from the hide. Some mystery is included by having a wolf following Flagan not knowing whether the animal was going to kill him like the Indians had intended.
Flagan's intention of being in the area is ranching. His nemesis, Bull Dunn and his clan would have none of it, in spite of the vastness of the area in which both of them could live. Bull Dunn is a bully. Flagan, joined by his brother, Galloway, and cousins are not giving in to bullying. Dunn, being the man he is, hires a sharp shooter to take care of his dirty work - take out Flagan. The stakes are raised, fist fights ensue, guns blazing, and some souls will not see tomorrow.
A further note, Flagan trusts a couple Indians to work for him in herding the cattle to safety after Dunn's men had stampeded them.
The title of the book is Galloway but the leading character is his brother Flagan who escapes from an Indian tribe that tries to kill him. He survives in the wild and the mountain by dining on elk meat, making a covering for his naked body from the hide of the elk, also making moccasins from the hide. Some mystery is included by having a wolf following Flagan not knowing whether the animal was going to kill him like the Indians had intended.
Flagan's intention of being in the area is ranching. His nemesis, Bull Dunn and his clan would have none of it, in spite of the vastness of the area in which both of them could live. Bull Dunn is a bully. Flagan, joined by his brother, Galloway, and cousins are not giving in to bullying. Dunn, being the man he is, hires a sharp shooter to take care of his dirty work - take out Flagan. The stakes are raised, fist fights ensue, guns blazing, and some souls will not see tomorrow.
A further note, Flagan trusts a couple Indians to work for him in herding the cattle to safety after Dunn's men had stampeded them.
September 22, 2023
Flagan Sackett is on the run from Indians who recently captured and tortured him. He is naked barefoot and bound. He encounters three wolves tracking an elk. He chases them off after they run the elk down. One wolf stays a distance away from him. He cuts up some of the elk and tosses pieces to the wolf.
Many days later, the wolf is still nearby. He tosses it food again.
He finally reaches a family, the Rossiter’s, who nurse him back to health. He finds his brother Galloway in Shalako and tells his tale. Galloway and Flagan plan to ranch nearby, but encounter the Dunns, who have built a ranch without cattle. Their plan is to steal from nearby ranchers.
Flagan and Curley Dunn fight in town. Meg Rossiter witnesses it and considers Flagan evil.
Flagan calls for help. Parmalee and Logan Sackett make their way to Shalako.
Flagan meets a small outcast tribe. Their leader, Powderface, ask his advice about the best place to move. Flagan offers the entire tribe a job. Months go by.
The Dunn’s plan is put into action once night.
Galloway makes a friend who is looking for lost French gold. Otherwise, his role is minimal. And then there is this wolf.
Have no idea why this is the title of the book. A good short read.
Many days later, the wolf is still nearby. He tosses it food again.
He finally reaches a family, the Rossiter’s, who nurse him back to health. He finds his brother Galloway in Shalako and tells his tale. Galloway and Flagan plan to ranch nearby, but encounter the Dunns, who have built a ranch without cattle. Their plan is to steal from nearby ranchers.
Flagan and Curley Dunn fight in town. Meg Rossiter witnesses it and considers Flagan evil.
Flagan calls for help. Parmalee and Logan Sackett make their way to Shalako.
Flagan meets a small outcast tribe. Their leader, Powderface, ask his advice about the best place to move. Flagan offers the entire tribe a job. Months go by.
The Dunn’s plan is put into action once night.
Galloway makes a friend who is looking for lost French gold. Otherwise, his role is minimal. And then there is this wolf.
Have no idea why this is the title of the book. A good short read.
August 13, 2018
That was surprisingly good. How can Louis L'Amour write so many books! I will need to read another to see if there is a lot of repeat because this seemed like he went all out with information about life on the frontier, outlaw culture, geography, native plants, hunting, ranching, etc. I was thinking that when you write so many books you hold back for other books.
I liked the story and the writing was smooth. He even included some interesting insights about life, people, culture, and evolution. I wonder though if the tough guy portrayal of the old west is overdone. Were people really that mean? The dialog between tough guys is probably more witty than reality. Was there really that much skill in gun fights or was survival mostly just luck?
Here was an interesting observation for anyone who has gone camping and enjoyed the conversations that go into the night.
"Many a campfire dies down with talk that doesn't amount to much in the sunlight."
I liked the story and the writing was smooth. He even included some interesting insights about life, people, culture, and evolution. I wonder though if the tough guy portrayal of the old west is overdone. Were people really that mean? The dialog between tough guys is probably more witty than reality. Was there really that much skill in gun fights or was survival mostly just luck?
Here was an interesting observation for anyone who has gone camping and enjoyed the conversations that go into the night.
"Many a campfire dies down with talk that doesn't amount to much in the sunlight."
December 13, 2021
Well done like all of L'Amour's work. He is a great storyteller and has a nice way of writing. However with this the 13th Sackett novel, he seems to be having trouble with giving them different voices. This book is called Galloway but really its more of a Flagan story (his brother). Though again it really doesnt matter much, they all sound alike. Other then just a different style of dress or coming from different branches of the family, there really isn't any difference in them. In this book the brothers decide to do some ranching but first Flangan runs into Indians and is set out alone. Also the area they want to ranch already has a powerful family that is trying to keep all others out. So they call for other Sacketts.
I know it seems like I'm complaining and I am in a way but this is still a great read that I can recommend. All the Sackett books are but as a series overall the Sacketts being interchangeable hurts it.
I know it seems like I'm complaining and I am in a way but this is still a great read that I can recommend. All the Sackett books are but as a series overall the Sacketts being interchangeable hurts it.
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