Where the Long Grass Blows by Louis L'Amour - Western Novel Review

Cover of Louis L'Amour's Where the Long Grass Blows

Topnotch writing by Louis L'Amour who rarely disappoints. WHERE THE LONG GRASS BLOWS is the age-old range war story but with a couple of interesting twists. One of which is the fact that the leading character does considerable research on the situation in the area and the competing ranchers and comes in prepared with land deeds. His plan is to sit back and watch the competitors destroy each other. And then move in with his cattle-brand; taking over the range legally.

"Bill Canavan was a young man with a plan. He wanted not wealth but a ranch, a well watered ranch in good start country, and he intended to settle for nothing less. The fact that he was down to his last three dollars meant nothing, for his mind was made up. And back down the trail there were men who could tell you that Bill Canavan with his mindset on something was a force with which to reckon. Yet he was not riding blindly into a strange land. For, like the tactician he was, he had gathered his information carefully, judged the situation, the terrain, the time and the people, and now he was ready."

"This was a new country, but he knew the landmarks and the personalities. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of its rulers, knew the economic factors of their existence, knew the stresses and strains within. He knew that he rode into a valley at war, that blood had been shed and that armed man rode its trails night and day. Into this maelstrom he rode, a man alone, determined to have his own from the country."

Bill Canavan is 27 and has spent most of his life fighting for others to help them get their piece of the pie and now he's prepared to fight for his own. He planned for three years, talked to those familiar with the valley and has drawn a meticulous map based on conversations and recollections of people who had lived there or passed through.

The two big augurs are Walt Pogue at the Box N and Charlie Reynolds at the CR Ranch. Tensions are high and everyone anticipates that all hell will break loose pretty quick. The wild card is the foreman, Star Levitt at the VV Ranch who has a similar plan to watch the two big augurs destroy each other and then move in. Only Levitt has dastardly plans to insure there are no survivors on either side and that he ends up with the VV Ranch.

At the VV, are the owners Tom and Dixie Venable, brother and sister, who are at the mercy of a blackmailing Levitt who has freehand of the ranch doings and a promised marriage with Dixie. Canavan came into the valley thinking he knew all the angles but the relationship between the Venebles and Levitt has him puzzled. Still, from the start, he's identified Levitt as the real danger. For most of the book, Canavan is trying to figure out why Dixie would be engaged to Levitt and why Levitt seems to be calling the shots at the VV. Although puzzled by these mysteries, he has Levitt pegged as a quick-tempered fellow who, if pushed, will likely take rash actions that lead to mistakes Canavan can capitalize on.

And yes, Dixie Venable is Canavan's love interest from the first day. His first meeting with her results in an unforgettable horse race. And before the day is out, he's declared to the hotel clerk, "I'm going to marry her."

Canavan not only out fights Levitt, he out thinks him too. In addition to the fistfights and gunplay, there's an entertaining legal hearing at the end. And of course, a happy ending for Canavan and Dixie.

Where the Long Grass Blows is a terrific read and entertaining story. This one will definitely stay in my collection.

Cigarettes lit up 6
Cigars lit up 1
Pipes lit up 1
Gunplay 6
Fistfights 1

FAVORITE LINES


"When thieves fall out, honest men get their dues."

"The happy man is the man who is content with just what he needs… Just so he has it regular."

"It is the way of thieves to find excuses for their crimes. They always argue that everyone would steal if they had the chance."

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