Well, I actually didn't mind this. The references to the brutality of capitalism are always disturbing, and this book is no exception.

At times, the settings and scenes are a bit far fetched. Maybe this was accentuated as I listened to the book and the reader was very intent on having 'authentic' Texan, Mexican and other dialects.

Then again, I have no actual personal knowledge of what occurs when civil rights are ignored in the USA.

I would recommend this book. It offers a unique perspective and makes one think about important social issues.

I shall try another of James Lee Burke's books to gain an insight into his writing. This one was black and at times depressing, but it also had its moments of beauty and hope.

Burke's writing is powerful and evocative, and I look forward to seeing what else he has to offer.

Overall, this was a worthwhile read that I would encourage others to check out.

What a truly fantastic read this was!

I simply did not want this book to come to an end. The richness of the prose was remarkable, and the dialogue was equally engaging. All of it was enhanced by the astounding voice of Will Patton. Patton did an amazing job of totally capturing the era and region, enmeshing the reader completely in the story. The way he portrayed the Senator's lisp was absolutely brilliant.

Burke hooks you in immediately. Before you even realize it, you're eagerly awaiting the next sentence. He plunges us into the life of the hard-drinking ex-POW and southern lawyer extraordinaire, Hackberry Holland. Hack's wife and brother are eager for him to run for the Senate, but Hack gets distracted when he receives a call for help from an ex-Army buddy. Soon, he finds himself involved with the farm workers union in a small town. Hack just can't seem to let go and focus on the bid for the senate. He becomes more deeply entangled with the workers and rubs the local law enforcement the wrong way. His brother and wife are desperate to get Hack to fall in line, but Hack can't seem to stop himself, especially after he meets Rie. Now, Hack must come to terms with his past and reassess his future.

I have rather complex and mixed feelings about this book.

On one hand, it presents a kind of "redemption" story. The protagonist, a spoiled lawyer who was once a POW and is on the verge of becoming a congressman, gets involved with the underprivileged and discovers the courage within himself to fight for them. This aspect of the story seems to hold the promise of a transformation and a journey towards a better self.

However, on the other hand, I found it extremely difficult to empathize with the main character. He is depicted as a boozing, womanizing, and egomaniacal individual. The entire process of his "coming good" just didn't ring true to me. It felt forced and缺乏真实性.

Nonetheless, I did have a certain appreciation for the description of the POW experiences and the associated trauma. This part of the book was, for me, the most interesting and eye-opening. It definitely sounded realistic, and it was easy to envision how such experiences could leave a person scarred for life. It provided a vivid and poignant look into the psychological and emotional toll that war can take on an individual.

While this is early James Lee Burke, there is no doubt who is the author. Open the book to any page and begin reading. Immediately, the recognition dawns: it's Burke. In fact, this is his third published work. However, his writing style and themes are already distinct. Although it may be relatively short compared to the rest of his body of work, it is still highly engaging and powerful.

The story likely showcases the early inklings of the masterful storytelling that Burke would become known for. His ability to create vivid characters and immersive settings is perhaps already on display here. The themes explored might hint at the deeper and more complex ideas that he would later develop in his more mature works.

Despite its brevity, this early work of Burke's is well worth reading. It offers a glimpse into the mind of a talented writer at the beginning of his career. It is recommended for both fans of Burke and those who are new to his work and are looking to discover the roots of his literary genius.

Hackberry Holland, or Hack to his friends, is truly one of the most captivating and frustrating characters I've ever encountered.

He listens to no one and does as he pleases, not just burning the candle at both ends but going way beyond that. He's like a force of nature, burning everything in his path.

"Lay Down My Sword and Shield" was released in 1971, set in Texas during the civil rights era. It portrays the time period vividly, with Cadillacs, tough deputy sheriffs, the oil business, striking farm workers, and plenty of alcohol and cigars.

Hack is a lawyer with a good reputation, on a path to greater things. But he finds himself being pushed towards political office, and despite his best efforts to stop it, he can't.

Hack is haunted by memories of his past as a POW in Korea. When his army friend is arrested for being involved in the Farm Union strikes, Hack goes to help with good intentions. But things quickly spiral out of control, and he finds himself in a world of trouble.

Despite his flaws, Hack is a character that makes you feel a range of emotions. You go from being completely pissed off with him to desperately wanting to know how his story ends. He has more depth than you could ever imagine, and you just know that something big is about to happen.

"Lay Down My Sword and Shield" is a powerful and descriptive novel that shoves the atmosphere down your throat. It's not a thriller, but rather the story of one man's struggles with himself, his past, and his dissatisfaction with life. It's also a story about finding love in the most unexpected place.

This is my second read by James Lee Burke, and I'm already a big fan. He's quickly becoming one of my top discoveries of the year, and I compare him to my favorite author, John Connolly.

http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...

After delving into all of the Robicheaux novels, which span a wide range from being very good to absolutely FANTASTIC, unfortunately, this particular one failed to meet the mark. There could be several reasons for this. Perhaps it was due to the fact that it was an early novel, dating back to 1971, or maybe I had become so accustomed to a protagonist with the qualities and charm of Robicheaux that Hack simply couldn't compare.

Nevertheless, I do plan to read the next book in this series, Rain Gods, as it has received favorable reviews. As is customary, Mr. Burke demonstrates his remarkable writing skills, especially when it comes to vividly describing the settings. His words have the power to transport me to those very locations, making me feel as if I am truly there.

Even though this book didn't resonate with me on a personal level, I am still committed to continuing my exploration of Mr. Burke's literary works. In fact, I am eagerly looking forward to reading the Billy Bob Holland series. Additionally, I sincerely hope that Mr. Burke will grace us with more Robicheaux novels in the future.

James Lee Burke is a master at creating heroes that are truly larger than life.

These heroes have a deep-seated belief in justice that often supersedes their respect for the law. While they will attempt to work within the legal framework whenever it is possible, they do not hesitate to step outside those bounds when necessary to achieve their goals.

What makes Burke's writing even more remarkable is the diverse and fully-fleshed characters he presents, from the central protagonist all the way down to the supporting cast.

He has a remarkable ability to provide just enough details to keep the plot flowing smoothly, while still leaving enough room for the reader's imagination to paint vivid and detailed images in their minds.

This combination of larger-than-life heroes, complex characters, and skillful storytelling makes James Lee Burke's work a must-read for any fan of literature.

I had long since given up on the hope of finding a copy of this particular book. Instead, I had moved on and read the subsequent installments in the series. So, you can imagine my surprise when I happened upon a copy during a library book sale.

This book, dating all the way back to 1971, is a prime example of vintage James Lee Burke.

What makes this book truly special is the way it delves into the formation of the character Hackberry Holland. It does so in a more detailed and nuanced manner than in his other works. The flashbacks to the Korean prison camp are not only insightful but also gruesomely vivid, painting a picture that is both harrowing and unforgettable.

I have always been a huge fan of this author, and this book only serves to deepen my appreciation for his talent and storytelling ability. It's a must-read for any fan of James Lee Burke or anyone who enjoys a well-written and engaging novel.

Now that I've completed reading all 23 Robicheaux novels, I came to the conclusion that it was high time to turn my attention back to James Lee Burke's other literary works. And so, I embarked on this new literary journey with this particular book.

Let's commence with the positive aspects. Burke's literary style had reached a remarkable level of maturity and development. The prose is both down-to-earth and robust, rich in color and highly evocative. His protagonist is a well-rounded character, an angry alcoholic who, despite his flaws, has a heart in the right place. It's truly a captivating portrayal.

By the way, it's important to note that this is not your typical crime fiction.

Now, let's move on to the negatives. One cannot help but notice that there isn't a particularly engaging or tightly-knit story. The action, such as it is, seems to meander aimlessly, much like Holland's benders. And the ending, or rather the epilogue, feels rather abrupt and comes out of nowhere, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction.

Between this book and the next installment in the Holland series, there lies a span of approximately 27 years. During this time, Burke achieved great success as a best-selling author, penning tough and gritty American Gothic novels set in the vibrant landscapes of New Orleans and Louisiana. I find myself more than simply curious to discover where he will take this narrative in the future. It's a literary adventure that I'm eager to embark upon.

Lay Down My Sword and Shield by James Lee Burke

We've encountered Hackberry Holland, the Texas Sheriff, several times in our readings. However, this is Burke's third novel, and Hack makes his first appearance as a hard-drinking, womanizing defense attorney. All the back-story is presented here: his family history, his experience as a POW in the Korean War, the life of debauchery that Hack mentions in later novels, and the core of this story, his time as an attorney and activist for the farm workers union and a potential Democratic Congressman.

For the initial 200 pages, this was an engaging and good story. But after that, it became truly GREAT. Burke showcases his superior talent for describing people, places, and events with absolute poetry. His descriptions are so vivid that when you read about the hot and sticky Texas summers, you can almost feel the sweat dripping while holding the book. After reading about Hack's excessive drinking, you'll experience the hangover and question whether you can walk a straight line. You'll also encounter old-fashioned, bigoted, and dishonest Texas lawmen who might just convert you into a liberal.

I'm glad I read the other books featuring Hackberry Holland before this one. If I hadn't, I wonder if I would have been willing to explore another of his stories. Hack is not a particularly likable character in this novel. But in the final chapters, he redeems himself and gives us hope for the future.

James Lee Burke penned this book way back in 1971. However, it was only in 2009 that he returned to the character of Hackberry Holland and turned it into a series. In Germany, "Lay Down My Sword and Shield" was published as late as 2017, making it chronologically the last part, even though the book actually delves into the prehistory. In the epilogue of the German edition, the author remarks that although significant changes have occurred since the 1970s, there remains a great deal of inequality in the southern United States, across the nation, and indeed throughout the world. Power-hungry and unscrupulous corporations and individuals continue to act at the expense of the weak. This is precisely why decent people are needed to oppose this dominance.

It might sound a touch pathetic, but it is nevertheless true. And so, in this book, the Texan lawyer Hackberry Holland resolves to stand up for the weak and take on the powerful. In this instance, the protagonist risks his intended political career and his marriage to support black and Mexican farm workers in a harvest strike. As already noted, it is the early 1970s, and at that time, the methods employed by the police and agricultural bosses were not delicate when it came to suppressing strikes. Ultimately, one of Burke's classic motifs emerges early on, namely that of the lone wolf with a good heart who simply cannot refrain from speaking out against injustice.

As I've said, this can be a bit pathetic at times, and Holland's treatment of women is, I would argue, in line with the era. Annoyed by his admittedly not-easy wife, he is easily lured by the temptations of other women. And anyone familiar with the author's works will quickly recognize that the element of physical love is of great importance to Burke - even if the sex scenes are relatively discreet, but not always aging well. The Korean War and the protagonist's experiences in that war also play a major role in the novel. Burke does an excellent job of depicting the horror of captivity in particular, which can be rather disturbing at times.

Overall, the book is less of a thriller and more of a contemporary document of 1970s Texas. Those hoping for the kind of thriller suspense found in the books about Dave Robicheaux may be slightly disappointed. However, the author's talent, which ultimately led him to write dozens of other novels, is evident from the outset. I'm not yet certain whether I'll continue the series about Hackberry Holland; sometimes, his type of man is just too intense for me, and I can only read something like this a few times a year. On the other hand, Burke's books are always honest and sincere, and his heart always beats for those who have a harder time in this world.

This is an extremely difficult read. Hack is a deeply damaged individual.

In the early stages of the novel, I seriously questioned the credibility of his being able to function, considering the excessive extent of his whoring and drinking.

However, as the novel gradually unfolded, the surprise was that he had managed to survive at all.

This is my very first experience with JLB's work. I am now eager to try one of his detective novels next.

His remarkable ability to vividly capture the essence of time and place is truly impressive.

It makes the reader feel as if they are actually present in the story, experiencing everything along with the characters.

I look forward to delving into more of his works and seeing what other surprises and engaging stories he has to offer.