Nailed things I dislike: Texas. It's a place that, for some reason, just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it's the overly bold and brash reputation it has. Then there are those testosterone-filled arrogant men. They walk around like they own the world, their egos inflated to ridiculous proportions. And when they add alcohol to the mix, they become even stupider. Take this one guy for example. All he did for unionizing migrant workers was pay their bail. That's it. And then he got drunk once again, effectively diverting all the attention to himself. It's as if he couldn't be bothered to actually do anything meaningful to help the cause. Instead, he chose to act like a buffoon and steal the spotlight. It's just so frustrating and makes me lose all respect for him and people like him.

While I firmly believe that Burke is indeed a talented writer,

his penchant for vivid local color and meticulous scenic detail often overshadows the narrative flow of his stories,

and this particular work serves as a prime example of that. At its core, it's the tale of a rebellious drunkard who couldn't care less about conforming to others' rules,

yet strangely has a connection with "the little guy" and feels compelled to fight for their civil rights.

However, the reality is that very little actually occurs within the pages of this book.

Aside from the beautiful and evocative descriptions of people and places,

there isn't much substance to recommend it. If the book had been trimmed down by 150 pages,

it would have retained the same amount of plot and potentially been more engaging.

As it stands, though, it's predominantly a character study of a protagonist in whom I simply couldn't muster much interest.

Quality writing that presents an atmospheric and character-driven story is crafted by a master storyteller.

The protagonist, Hackberry, is initially a hard man to like. His rough exterior and brusque mannerisms make it difficult for readers to warm up to him. However, as the story unfolds, we begin to see the layers beneath his tough exterior.

We learn about his past, his struggles, and his inner demons. Through these revelations, we start to understand Hackberry on a deeper level. We realize that his hardness is a defense mechanism, a way for him to protect himself from the pain and hurt he has endured.

As the story progresses, Hackberry undergoes a transformation. He begins to let down his guard and open up to those around him. He shows moments of kindness, compassion, and vulnerability that make us root for him. In the end, we find ourselves liking Hackberry, not despite his flaws, but because of them.

He is a complex and multi-dimensional character who has won our hearts through his journey of self-discovery and growth.

James Lee Burke might just be one of my all-time favorite authors, and there are several compelling reasons for this.

First and foremost, his prose is simply outstanding. It has the power to transport you deep into the heart of the setting. You can almost feel the temperature of the air and vividly picture the surroundings in your mind's eye.

His characters are another remarkable aspect. They are multi-faceted, carrying emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical baggage and scars. In this particular book, the interacting plot-line between his experiences as a POW in a Chinese prison camp during the Korean War and the real-time battle for immigrant farm workers' civil rights is truly captivating. The way he weaves these two storylines together to build up to an exhilarating ending is masterful.

Finally, I have both read and listened to several of Mr Burke's books, and I cannot praise the audiobook reader, Will Patton, enough. He reads the majority, if not all, of Mr Burke's books, and he adds an entirely new dimension that cannot be overlooked. His ability to quickly change inflections to clearly distinguish between male and female characters is无与伦比. To the point that when I am reading a James Lee Burke book, I can actually hear Will Patton reading the words on the page. James Lee Burke, the author, and Will Patton, the audiobook reader, truly form an exceptional force in this genre.

I'm currently reviewing only the first 44 pages of this work.

It seems that these pages are composed almost entirely of the drunken protagonist. He is constantly making cynical and cutting remarks about well, everything under the sun.

Moreover, he is continuously haranguing with his wife, which makes for a rather tiresome read.

I simply couldn't take anymore of this.

What's more, whenever he writes about the black servants, he couldn't manage to do so without suggesting that they were toting straight razors.

This kind of portrayal is not only offensive but also shows a lack of understanding and respect for different cultures and people.

It makes me question the author's motives and whether this is really the kind of literature that should be promoted or read.

Overall, based on these first 44 pages, I'm not very impressed and would think twice before continuing with the rest of the book.

Being Fat Does Not Make You a Villain

The writing in question is indeed wonderful in many aspects. However, it is quite a common and unfair stereotype that as soon as the description turns to a fat person, they are almost always depicted as mean, stupid, unhygienic, and lazy individuals. This kind of portrayal is not only inaccurate but also extremely hurtful. Just because a person is overweight does not mean they possess all these negative qualities. Weight has nothing to do with a person's character, intelligence, or personal hygiene. We should learn to look beyond physical appearances and judge people based on their actions, values, and personalities. Everyone has their own unique qualities and should be treated with respect and kindness, regardless of their size or shape. It is time to break free from these harmful stereotypes and embrace a more inclusive and accepting society.

First in the Hackberry Holland series, this story revolves around an alcoholic lawyer. After his release from a Korean POW camp, he tries to find himself while also striving to live up to his family legend.

My Take: Keep in mind that Burke wrote this in 1971, four years before the end of the Vietnam War. Burke spends a significant portion of the book setting up Hack's transformation. He immerses us in Hack's degeneracy, including his alcoholism and visits to brothels. There's also the ingrained expectancy of his social class and a glimpse into the seedy world of politics and campaigning.

It's the desperate situation of an army buddy that forces the change on Hack, while the finish is influenced by "the love of a good woman." Hack is not a likable character. He's too busy schmoozing, drinking, and visiting brothels across the border. I often wondered why I was pushing myself to read it. However, it does offer a brutal look at the violent treatment of farm workers and negroes in the early 1960s.

I sense that Burke had a lot of anger to release when writing this. Hack is constantly raging, drowning his fears with alcohol and hoping to avoid the nightmares of war. I'm curious if Hack began questioning the motives and thoughts of the people in his social milieu due to his experiences in Korea and his friendships with fellow soldiers outside his social class.

The Characters: Hackberry Holland is running for office and is a partner in a law firm with his brother Bailey. His wife, Verisa, is socially conscious but more concerned with her parties and barbecues. Art Gomez was Hack's Navy buddy who was wrongly imprisoned. Rie Velasquez has volunteered with the United Farm Workers, continuing a family tradition of protest. Senator Samuel Dowling was using Hack to fulfill his own political debts. Cecil Wayne Posey was the ineffective public defender for Art.

The Cover and Title: The cover is patriotic, with a flag waving across the middle, a sunset shining through it, steeples in the background, and a rifle with a helmet in the foreground. "Lay Down My Sword and Shield" refers to Hack giving up. He's been questioning the people in his life and the war. By the time we reach Hack's epiphany, I think we're all ready to lay down that shield too.

I kept thinking about how, when this was written in the late-60s/70s, it was current events.

At that time, I was in California, traveled through the Southwest, and then went to Colorado.

I vividly remember those days.

The landscapes, the people, and the atmosphere were all so unique.

In California, I witnessed the hustle and bustle of the big cities, as well as the beautiful beaches.

The Southwest was full of vast deserts and magnificent canyons, which left me in awe.

And Colorado, with its majestic mountains and clear blue skies, was a haven of natural beauty.

These memories have stayed with me all these years, and whenever I think about that time, it feels like a journey back in time.

It makes me realize how much the world has changed since then, and yet, some things remain the same.

The beauty of nature, the kindness of people, and the spirit of adventure are all timeless.

Hack, an attorney and a former prisoner of war in the Korean War, is facing intense pressure. His wife, his brother, and his supposed friends in the oil business are all urging him to run for political office. However, Hack has different preferences. He would rather spend his time drinking, taking care of his beloved horses, and handling the occasional long-shot pro bono case at his law firm.

One day, when Hack attempts to overturn a conviction for an old army buddy, he unexpectedly gets involved in the seedy underbelly of the Texas patronage system. At the same time, he also becomes part of the earliest beginnings of the United Farm Workers movement, which is led by a beautiful woman. This woman speaks to his heart in a way that no one else has ever done.

As Hack continues to work towards bringing justice to those who have been underserved, he discovers not only a new love but also a new sense of purpose in life. He realizes that he can make a real difference and decides to embrace this new path, leaving behind his previous reluctance and hesitation.

Guess I love the Dave Robicheaux series so much that I'm not bothered with the generations of Hollands.

This is the first James Lee Burke book that I gave 2 stars in my reviews. The majority of his works have been 4 and 5 star efforts.

I have a deep affection for the Dave Robicheaux series. It has always captured my attention and imagination. However, when it comes to this particular book about the Hollands, it just didn't have the same appeal for me.

Maybe it's because I was so invested in the world of Dave Robicheaux that I couldn't fully embrace this new storyline.

Nevertheless, I still respect James Lee Burke as a talented author. His writing style is engaging, and he has a way of creating vivid characters and settings.

Even though this book didn't meet my expectations, I'm sure there are many others who will enjoy it.

Sorry, Jim! But I guess everyone has their own preferences when it comes to reading.

I simply couldn't find any connection with this book in any possible way.

The writing style didn't appeal to me at all, and I failed to establish any sort of connection with the characters.

I'm really not sure what the exact reason was. Maybe it was due to the age of the book.

Perhaps the language and the themes presented in it were a bit outdated and didn't resonate with my modern sensibilities.

Despite my best efforts to engage with the story, I just couldn't seem to get into it.

It felt like there was a barrier between me and the book that I couldn't overcome.

Maybe if I had read it at a different time in my life, or if I had a better understanding of the context in which it was written, I might have had a different experience.

But as it stands, this book just wasn't for me.

This book is not my favorite among all the characters he has created. However, it is still a good one.

The story might not have had that one character that completely stole my heart, but it had its own charm and appeal.

The author's writing style is engaging, and he manages to bring the plot and the other characters to life in a vivid way.

Even though this particular character didn't resonate with me on a personal level as much as some others, the overall quality of the book cannot be denied.

It offers an interesting read and takes the reader on a journey through different emotions and experiences.

So, while it may not be my absolute favorite, it is definitely a book that I would recommend to others who are looking for an enjoyable and well-written story.