James Lee Burke has truly emerged as my favorite author.

His Robichaux series holds a special place in my heart, but the Holland family series is not far behind.

Hackberry Holland, the protagonist of the Holland family series, is an imperfect man with unwavering values and an uncanny ability to find himself in trouble.

The first novel of this series, which was written nearly 50 years ago, offers an outstanding perspective on what drives this character.

It is masterfully written, making you feel as if the characters are real individuals with their own hopes, dreams, and flaws.

The story delves into issues that are still highly relevant in today's world, proving its timelessness.

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys well-crafted stories with complex and engaging characters.

Whether you are a fan of crime fiction or simply looking for a good read, James Lee Burke's Holland family series is sure to satisfy.

The first book about Hackberry Holland was an absolute gem. It was a story that truly engaged the reader from start to finish.

It delved deep into the life of a man who was not only grappling with the demons of substance abuse but also those that haunted him from his time in war.

As he struggled to come to terms with his past, he also found himself in a world that seemed to be moving on without him.

The author did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of Hackberry's internal and external struggles, making it a truly gripping read.

Thirty-eight years later, we published the second book about Hackberry Holland, which further explored his life and adventures.

Overall, the Hackberry Holland series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-written, engaging story about a complex and flawed character.

Yet another protagonist emerges, one who is consumed by an unquenchable lust for self-destructive behavior. This character's actions and decisions are driven by an inner turmoil that seems impossible to overcome. The allure of self-destruction is like a dark force pulling them further and further into the abyss.

Despite the obvious consequences that await, the protagonist continues on this dangerous path, perhaps seeking some sort of release or escape. Their story unfolds in a series of events that are both captivating and disturbing, making for a very interesting read. We watch as they struggle with their demons, and wonder if they will ever find a way out.

The tale of this self-destructive protagonist serves as a cautionary reminder of the power of our inner desires and the importance of self-awareness. It also shows us the potential for redemption and growth, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. As we follow their journey, we are left with a sense of both sympathy and curiosity, eager to see how it all ends.

Lay Down My Sword and Shield, by James Lee Burke, is a captivating audiobook narrated by the talented Will Patton and produced by Simon and Schuster Audio. It can be downloaded from audible.com.

Once again, Will Patton's narration is a treat. He has such a remarkable voice that he could even make reading the phone book interesting for me. This book is a precursor to Burke's most recent work, "Raingods". In fact, it preceded the latter by approximately 20 years. I truly wish I had read it first. If I had, I would have had a better understanding of the main character, Hackberry Holland.

The publisher's note provides some valuable insights. Hackberry Holland, the hero of James Lee Burke's recent best-seller Rain Gods, is a cousin to lawman Billy Bob Holland and a true product of the South, both old and new. In this early gem from "America's best novelist" (The Denver Post), Hackberry Holland makes his first appearance. Set against the backdrop of the growing civil rights turmoil in a sultry border town, the hard-drinking ex-POW attorney succumbs to the numerous urgings of his wife, his brother, and his so-called friends to run for a congressional seat. As a result, he finds himself深陷 in the seedy world of Texas powerbrokers. Moreover, when Hack attempts to overturn an old army buddy's conviction and crosses paths with a beautiful union organizer who touches his heart in a unique way, he discovers both a new love and a new purpose. He breaks free from the shackles of wealth and expectation to bring justice to those who have been underserved.

This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and adventures of Hackberry Holland, and it is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

An excellent story has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel a wide range of emotions, and to leave a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. It can be a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, a thought-provoking mystery, or a powerful drama.

And an outstanding reader is the one who can fully immerse themselves in the story, who can understand the characters' motives and emotions, and who can appreciate the beauty and depth of the writing. They are able to pick up on the subtleties and nuances of the story, and they can form their own opinions and interpretations.

Together, an excellent story and an outstanding reader create a magical experience. The story comes alive in the reader's imagination, and the reader is able to connect with the story on a deeper level. It is a symbiotic relationship that enriches both the story and the reader.

The Hackberry Holland series kicks off with its first book. Hack is thoroughly exhausted with the direction his life is taking. He is being pressured to run for Congress, while his brother is constantly hounding him to cut back on his drinking and put more effort into their law firm. Moreover, his marriage is on the verge of collapsing. He is married to a socialite who is solely interested in power and prestige and looks down upon those from a lower social class.

When a war buddy is in desperate need, Hack heads South to attempt to keep him out of prison. During this struggle, Hack discovers a new purpose in life and a woman with whom he can share this newfound existence.

The reader will witness the continuous evolution of Burke's writing, which will ultimately lead to the Dave Robicheaux series. This is a truly excellent novel and an absolute must-read for Burke enthusiasts.

A Beautifully Written Book of 1950s America

This book is truly a masterpiece. It is beautifully written, taking the reader on a captivating journey through 1950s America. It offers a profound insight into American history, specifically highlighting the hardships endured by farm workers during that era. The author, JLB, vividly描绘s their struggles and sacrifices, making it impossible for the reader not to feel a sense of empathy.

Moreover, the book also provides a chilling view into the horrors of the Korean war. JLB's descriptions are so painful and detailed that they bring the war to life, allowing the reader to experience the chaos and destruction.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, the lives of ordinary people, or the impact of war. It is a powerful and moving work that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

DNF - 65 pages of that drunken ass was all I could stomach.

It seems that Mr. Burke's writing career had a rather inauspicious start and finish. However, upon closer inspection, there were actually several good works nestled in the middle.

Perhaps the early and later parts of his career were marred by various factors, but those few shining examples in between give us a glimmer of his true potential.

It makes one wonder what could have been if he had been able to maintain the same level of quality throughout.

Nevertheless, those good works still stand as a testament to his talent, even if his overall career may not have been as consistently excellent as one might have hoped.

Maybe with a bit more focus and discipline, Mr. Burke could have achieved even greater heights in the literary world.

As it is, we can still appreciate those few gems that he left behind and hope that future generations of writers will learn from his experiences and strive for greater consistency in their own work.

This book truly improved as I delved deeper into it.

In fact, I chose to read it because I had previously read another work by the same author, namely The Glass Rainbow, which I found even more captivating.

Despite having lived through the strikes led by Cesar Chavez, I still managed to gain a profound understanding of the difficult situation faced by migrant and farm workers.

It is indeed a good story that conveys a powerful message regarding social morality and responsibility.

This book not only entertains but also makes the reader reflect on important social issues.

It serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a more just and equitable society.

The author's writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Overall, it is a worthwhile read that I would recommend to others.

The worst book I have ever had the misfortune to read was authored by JLB.

The characters in this book were completely uninteresting and lacked any depth or development. The story line was convoluted and seemed to go nowhere, leaving me feeling frustrated and bored.

What really made this book a chore to read was the author's excessive use of unnecessary details. He spent countless pages just explaining dust bowls and providing endless descriptions of the Texas terrain. It felt like he was trying to fill up space rather than tell a compelling story.

To make matters worse, his constant references to his lust for Jack Daniels were both inappropriate and distracting. It was clear that he was more interested in showing off his knowledge of alcohol than in creating a engaging novel.

I was truly disappointed by this book, especially considering that JLB is one of my favorite authors. I had high expectations, but he completely failed to deliver. Shame on you JLB! It will be a very long time before I select one of your books again, if ever.

If you're wondering why I bothered to finish this book, it was only because I was stuck in the car on a long drive home from a trip and had no other audio books to listen to. I was a captive audience, and unfortunately, this book was the only option.

I never expected such trash from JLB. Frankly, I should have just turned it off and listened to the radio. The weather reports would have been far more interesting than this dull and unappealing book.

And to think that this was one more book for my Reading Challenge! Believe me, it was a challenge indeed to get through this one. I'm just glad it's over.

This one really stuck with me more closely.

He is a more fully developed anti-hero as he bucks the norms of society and gentility.

In order to fulfill his desires related to a mid-life crisis and reverse the course after going down the wrong path, he takes bold actions.

What a snappy epilogue it is.

JLB's protagonists truly have a penchant for absorbing violence from the state.

It's fascinating to see how this character evolves and challenges the status quo.

The way he defies the expected and pursues his own goals, even in the face of opposition, makes for a captivating story.

The addition of the element of violence from the state adds another layer of complexity and drama.

Overall, this character and his story leave a lasting impression.

I've been reading James Lee Burke's works off and on throughout the years. Generally, I find the plots quite interesting. However, the lead characters often leave me incredibly put off with their constant navel-gazing. They are always asking questions like, "How could I have done/do/plan to do such evil a thing?" "Why did my ancestors do such evil things?" "Is it worth trying to correct the world's evils if it requires dirtying my own hands?" It gets to the point where I wish that Reacher would suddenly burst into the novel and drive them all out of town. Or at least out of the "mystery" novel genre.

I pretty much gave up on Robicheaux when the story delved into the supernatural. But hoping that his creator's earliest books would be more focused on the narrative rather than being overly philosophical, I decided to try a different series, starting with Lay Down My Sword and Shield. This book does contain a fair amount of shamed recollecting, but there is relatively little self-doubt. The protagonist is both promiscuous and alcoholic, and he even insists that others drink along with him to endorse his behavior. The writer makes it clear that in his view, a Real Man smokes, drinks, sleeps around, and hurts other people. There are two women in the book, one is labeled as Bad (a faithful wife who wants her husband to drink less, show up at work, and stop running around), and the other as Good (a side piece who abandons her role as a labor leader to move, marry, and make beds). One doesn't have to be a feminist to think that Lay Down My Sword and Shield reads like an unsubtle parody. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I'm going to read the next book in the series out of a kind of morbid curiosity.