Louis L'Amour was a great writer. Although he mostly expressed his talents in western novels, those books were more of his money makers and not his passion. His passion really shines in his off beat writings that he does. I first found this out when I read his book The Walking Drum. It was so different from his usual style and illustrated a totally different culture and thought process.
The Last of the Breed was very much the same way and I was pleasantly pleased. His story was fast paced and didn't drag on. I am a lover of action and appreciate it when the writer doesn't dilly dally around but instead keeps the action coming, again I was not disappointed. Every lonely guy in the woods needs a love interest, right? Louis L'Amour brings this aspect into the story as well but mysteriously and without certainty.
Louis L'Amour's writing style takes you directly into the world of his characters. He presents the story from the point of view of the antagonist and protagonist, making you almost root for the antagonist at times...almost. Through his vivid descriptions, you can see the vivid country side fold out in front of you, smell the smouldering fire and feel the bite of the extreme cold. This book did one of the things I love most...inspired me to be out in nature. I love these kind of inspirations because it reminds us where we came from, why it is important to stay connected, and how we might be able to do that if the time came.
I mentioned earlier that Louis L'Amour's passion shines in these unique writings that he did because when Mr. L'Amour is passionate he talks about learning, poetry, the open exchange of ideas and debating ideas. He was obviously a man who loved to read and partake in these things himself. There are characters in this book who make you yearn to experience such things. For example, this is one of the quotes that Louis L'Amour uses in this novel that really leaves you thinking:
"The terrorist lives for terror, not for the change he tells himself he wants. He masks his desire to kill and destroy behind a curtain of a cause. It is destruction he wants, not creation."
Louis L'Amour also brings his vast knowledge of wilderness survival techniques front and center in this novel. His main character "Joe Mack" uses methods to evade his pursuers and survive in frigid temperatures that would be very effective in reality. He discusses trap setting, pelt preservation and meat preservation.
Geographically, Mr. L'Amour keeps on teaching by discussing the geographical features of Siberia. He brings the culture as well as the landscape to life. The reader from the United States can still easily relate to the wildlife, landscape and culture because Mr. L'Amour firmly correlates any unfamiliar plants and land masses to similar ones found here.
If you are looking for an exciting story that you can learn a little something from along the way, I highly recommend you check out this novel. Although the ending is going to throw you for a loop!
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