The Collected Short Stories of Louis L'Amour (Unabridged Selections from The Frontier Stories, Volume One)

My dad has always enjoyed reading but since his dementia has progressed, he gets frustrated because he can't remember anything he read once he sets a book down. These stories are short enough he can finish one in a single sitting. Problem solved. He's reading again and enjoying it. I already bought him the next volume.

This is a collection of stories of the old American West. All are stories with a moral that emphasizes social, if not legal, justice. I believe the collection to be very good for learners of English. This is straightforward storytelling in the oral tradition. There is little meaning beyond the expressed surface meaning and no deeply disguised nuances. It is safe for all ages; no parental supervision needed. Cultural references (for foreign language learners) are easily interpreted from context. Stories are told from the perspectives of farmers, ranchers, gunslingers, Indians, women, the educated and the lesser educated. Because it is a collection of short stories (the longest one is the next-to-the-last-one) the reader will not feel forced to complete it in more than one reading. I found it to be a pleasant addition to a collection of books I was reading at the same time. I was able to bounce between genres and not lose interest in this work.

Never read much, in fact little as a child and as an adult. I would either not be interested or would go to sleep after a couple of pages. I now have most of the L'Amours frontier and western short stories and have finished cover to cover about three of the volumes. They are exciting and the writer keeps you excited and you don't want to lay the book down. I wish that there were ten stars and I would give a ten plus.

This is a nice collection of short western stories from one of the masters of the genre. I enjoy westerns, whether they be movies, TV shows or books. Simple stories about the frontier. Cowboys and Indians, outlaws and small town sheriffs, frontier justice and even some strong female characters that aren't floozies or secondary to the male characters. I have just one minor disappointment, and it's not meant to be a complaint but an observation. Some (most) of the stories in this volume would be better suited to a younger, more adolescent audience. The stories are very short and there is not much plot or character development. These are the stories you would have likely read in a western-themed pulp-style periodical from the early decades of the last century. I would have loved this book when I was maybe 12 or 13 and my dad would take me to the library and I would get to pick a couple of books to take home and immerse myself in. This is one I would have picked back then. However as a grown-up person I prefer a little more depth and story development than these short stories are able to offer. Again, that is not a condemnation or criticism of this fine collection of short stories from a great American writer, simply a personal observation and my own humble opinion.I'll say again that this is a fine book of short western stories. However if you are an adult and prefer more depth of plot and character development I would refer you to any of the many full length novels Zane Grey wrote over the decades. You will likely find the longer books much more satisfying.

I am amazed at myself for loving all the stories written by this incredible author. My normal reading includes historical/romance/suspense or modern romance/suspense/thriller stories. I assumed L'Amour wrote for men which, of course, he does as well. But these are universal, timeless treasures capturing a time of great drama and struggle which was an important part if the birth of the nation.. His writing style is unique and very well suited to the storylines. It is minimalism which has such power and depth that I am constantly in awe. I like everything he writes but I prefer his short stories.

I just like Louis L'amour stories. There is a simplicity to them that is a joy to read. Louis L'amour is a story teller and that is what you sometimes with a good story. The characters are either good or bad. Sometimes they start off bad but come to that fork in the road where they have to decide what they are going to do ride away from their life or continue on with the life of a bad man. Most chose unwisely and pay for their misdeeds and other just lose out to the better man. If you enjoy stories of men and women make a place for themselves and those who follow them. Then I recommend this book. True you may have read some of these stories before, but it doesn't hurt to read them again. It is like seeing an friend you haven't seen in awhile.

For me, Louis Lamour is the end-all of western writers. His stories are riveting, resulting in a consistent suspension of disbelief. The theater of the mind is actively involved when reading his stories. You picture yourself there and involved up to your maximum involvement. It is a real let down when you put his stories down and realize you are back in your real world. I would recommend his stories for everyone. And you can let your older children read them without worrying what the stories will do to their tender psyche.