I truly loved this story

As always, I found myself fully immersed in Burke's writing. His words have a unique charm that reaches deep into the soul, touching emotions in a way that no other author can. It's as if he has a special connection with the reader, able to convey complex feelings and ideas with such simplicity and elegance. I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered this wonderful author just this year. Reading his works has become a form of true therapy for me. It allows me to escape from the stresses of daily life and enter a world of imagination and inspiration. Each story is like a precious gem, waiting to be discovered and cherished. I can't wait to explore more of Burke's writings and continue this journey of literary enlightenment.

The Early Burke

James Lee Burke penned this flamboyant novel back in 1971. While it does exhibit early signs of potential, the convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters (with the exception of the hero, who is three-dimensional) hold it back. It is a tale of redemption as Hack Holland, a Korean War captive and aspiring politician, transforms into a real man through the love of a union organizer.

JLB is a talented writer. He has a way with words that makes his sentences come alive and draws you into his story. The most powerful sections, without a doubt, are the harrowing memories of the traumatized Hack during a Korean War flashback. This part is vivid and coherent, especially when compared to the Texan setting, which seems like a drunken frenzy. You can see enough of the later JLB to envision the heights he would reach twenty years later.

This novel is definitely worth a read or a listen (it's available for free on Audible). It offers a glimpse into the early work of a great writer and shows the seeds of the brilliance that was to come.

Ever had that one author whose every book becomes your new favorite upon reading? Well, for me, that author is James Lee Burke. I swear to God, the man can write like an angel or a demon. Either way, he is simply brilliant.

"Lay Down My Sword and Shield" was originally published in 1971. While it has the essence of a Burke novel, it clearly feels like an early work. Here, the author was experimenting stylistically before finding his niche in the "noir" crime thriller genre for which he is best known.

This is the first book to feature his character Hackberry Holland. It introduces us to a younger, more carefree, and naive Holland, long before he becomes a Texas sheriff and battles the forces of evil in Texas.

Indeed, this novel doesn't follow the pattern of the subsequent Holland novels. There is no mystery to solve and no typical Texas "noir" criminal element to deal with, except perhaps Texas politics.

Holland, in this book, represents a particular type of Texan that Burke clearly dislikes: white, well-bred, rich, entitled, and often drunk. He is not so much racist as he is clueless about racial strife due to his white privilege, barely recognizing it when it's right in front of him.

A hot-shot attorney, Holland is also running for Congress with the backing of a family acquaintance who is a Senator. He has a beautiful wife and a life that most Texans would envy, but it's all a sham.

Holland has no real interest in politics. He can't stand his wife. All he wants to do is get drunk and take care of his horses, which he likes more than most people in his life.

When he takes on the defense of an old war buddy, Holland's life changes dramatically. He is suddenly thrust into a migrant worker's strike and witnesses firsthand the violence and hatred of Texan racism. When he falls in love with a young Mexican woman, he must make a choice. (Ultimately, it's not a difficult choice...)

More of a fascinating character study than a traditional novel, "LDMSAS" is still vintage Burke, which means it's wonderful.

P.S. I read this as an audiobook. Just like the Dave Robicheaux novels on audiobook, this one was also narrated by the amazing Will Patton.

Not one to disappoint

This is yet another classic work from the author who doesn't hold back. Even though it was first published many years ago, the subject matter it addresses is still highly relevant today. It serves as a clear indication of the injustice that is so prevalent in American society. The story is a real page-turner, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The author's vivid descriptions and powerful storytelling bring the characters and their experiences to life. It makes the reader reflect on the state of society and the need for change. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the deeper issues within American society and be inspired to make a difference.

James Lee Burke is truly a master storyteller.

His ability to vividly describe the world within which his stories unfold is simply remarkable.

When I read his works, it's as if I am transported into that very world, experiencing everything firsthand.

I have such a profound love for his writing style.

After reading this particular piece, I was so impressed that I immediately purchased the other three books in the series.

I can't wait to delve deeper into the captivating stories and explore the richly detailed worlds that James Lee Burke has created.

His writing has a unique charm that keeps me hooked from the very first page until the last.

I highly recommend his works to all those who appreciate great literature and immersive storytelling.

#1 in the Hackberry Holland series, this 1971 novel holds great significance. It is Burke's third work and marks the introduction of a recurring character, although Hackberry Holland wouldn't make a comeback until 38 years later in Rain Gods (2009). Hack, the scion of a political Texas family, is not only a lawyer but also a candidate for Congress. However, his life is far from perfect. He is grappling with an unloving marriage, plagued by recurring nightmares of his time as a Korean P.O.W., and finding solace in too many bottles of Jack Daniels. The struggle with alcohol is a theme that Burke revisits throughout the years. But Hack's path to redemption begins when he attempts to assist a fellow veteran who has been jailed due to farm worker union activism.

Hackberry Holland, a Texas attorney, Korean War vet, and congressional candidate, is haunted by the memories of his POW days. He drowns his sorrows in endless bottles of alcohol and engages in public behavior that could potentially end his career. Trapped in a loveless marriage and a law practice that fails to ignite his passion, Hack is presented with a glimmer of hope for redemption when a fellow vet is unjustly imprisoned on fabricated charges. Hack's decision to aid his former comrade and his subsequent involvement with a beautiful union organizer sets him on a journey of self-discovery and offers him a chance at personal redemption.

Hackberry Holland's life seemed preordained from the moment he was born. The youngest son of a state senator and an esteemed lawyer, he was expected to follow in their footsteps. He was to become a partner in the family law firm with his brother and, when the time was right, run for the Senate himself. He lived on the family ranch, a beautiful estate with rolling lawns and a magnificent mansion. He was married to the prestigious and elegant Verisa, the quintessential Southern belle.

However, somewhere along the way, Hackberry had a change of heart. He served as a corpsman in the Korean War and was captured and imprisoned as a POW for three years. The experiences he endured, including torture and inhumanity, changed him forever. Suddenly, the riches and prestige that had once seemed so important now appeared to be nothing more than a thin veneer. He began to spend his time drinking, cruising in his Cadillac, and having affairs with other women, all in an attempt to find something that mattered.

Then, Hackberry received a call from an old war buddy, Ramos, who had been imprisoned for his efforts to organize the migrant workers who harvested the crops in Texas. When Ramos was unjustly sentenced to five years in the worst penitentiary in the state, Hackberry found a new purpose in life. Working with the migrants, he fell in love with Rie, who had come from the North to assist in their fight. Now, he had a mission and a cause he could believe in. But could he escape his past and the obligations that came with it?

James Lee Burke is a renowned figure in the mystery genre. He has won two Edgar Awards and has been named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. This early work of Burke's introduces readers to Hackberry Holland, a complex and troubled character. While it may be difficult for some readers to look past Hackberry's initial behavior, as he stumbles through life in a drunken haze, ultimately, his determination to help the marginalized makes him a truly admirable figure. This book is highly recommended for mystery enthusiasts.

The original article:
This is a great article. It provides useful information and is well-written.

Expanded article:
This is an excellent article.

It truly stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it offers a wealth of useful information that is not only relevant but also presented in a clear and concise manner.

The author has done a great job of organizing the content, making it easy for the reader to follow and understand.

Secondly, the writing style is engaging and well-polished. The language used is precise and effective, adding to the overall quality of the article.

It is evident that the author has put in a lot of effort to ensure that the article is not only informative but also enjoyable to read.

Overall, this is a great piece of writing that is sure to be of value to anyone who reads it.

A little change of pace for me from JLB's other books about Dave Robichioux. This story was a very personal look at a man's realization that there is another world out there that he had not considered. It was about his courage to change. The development of the story was beautiful. We got to see the man's journey as he discovered new things and faced his fears. The author did a great job of making the reader feel like they were right there with the character. The story was engaging and kept me hooked from beginning to end. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read.

In the sweltering and humid state of Texas, Hack, an attorney who was a POW 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 priorities. He would much rather spend his time drinking, taking care of his cherished 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 unwittingly stumbles into the seedy underbelly of the Texas patronage system. At the same time, he also becomes involved in the earliest stages of the United Farm Workers movement, which is being led by a beautiful woman. This woman has a way of speaking to his heart that no one else has ever managed to do.

As Hack continues to fight for justice for the underserved, he discovers both a new love and a new sense of purpose in life. He realizes that he has the power to make a difference and decides to use it to bring about positive change in the world around him.

Bound: SunPost Weekly March 4, 2010
http://www.sunpostweekly.com/2010/03/...
Texas Two-Step
James Lee Burke Drinks Deep from the Heart of Texas
John Hood

Hackberry Holland is a character who truly irritates me. In fact, he manages to piss off a great many people. I highly doubt he's overly concerned about some individual down in Miami. Hell, this Texas lawyer probably doesn't even notice just how much he annoys me. Why would he? He generally doesn't pay attention to how much he aggravates anyone else either, including his close friends and immediate family. Okay, perhaps he does notice, but he sure as hell doesn't seem to care one bit.

Then again, Hack is pretty damn angry himself, so he likely figures he has the right to make everyone else angry too. With his near-constant drunken state and his unwavering disregard for others, the man practically exudes a sense of entitlement.

Of course, Hack's being born into a privileged family but having no desire to embrace it or its perks has a great deal to do with his unpleasant disposition. And then there's the heavy burden of his past as a North Korean P.O.W. However, Hack is being groomed to inherit his rightful place among the powerful, in this case, as a U.S. Congressman representing the great state of Texas. But Hack is as excited about that as he is about everything else in his preordained life. In other words, he isn't excited at all.

But when a former comrade-in-arms gets into trouble and calls on his old pal, Hack Holland finds something to fight against. When he gets hit back hard, he has himself a cause.

If I write this as if Hack Holland is a real-life anti-hero performing some strange and violent version of the Texas Two-Step, well, you'll have to blame James Lee Burke. It was JLB who brought this brawling Texan to life in the best-selling Rain Gods. Little did many people know that Hack had actually appeared much earlier, in a gritty and bloody book called Lay Down My Sword and Shield (Gallery Books $15). That was way back in '71, and despite the author's status as a hitmaker, it's been out of print for quite some time.

Now it's back on the shelves. Anyone who has ever read anything by James Lee Burke knows that his characters are vividly描绘 with torn flesh and broken bones, to the point where you often forget it's just fiction. And if you know this, then you'll want to know more, much more, about their origins and their horrors.

The title of Hack's first appearance, I imagine, is taken from the traditional spiritual "Down by the Riverside," a song that seems to be both uplifting and soul-crushing. If I understand it correctly, it's about the joy of surrender. But if I know anything about surrender, there is no joy in it at all.

But that's another story, for scholars far more perceptive than I am. As for James Lee Burke's Sword and Shield, well, I can tell you this: those depths that you think you've descended to are actually much deeper than you thought. And down there, at the very bottom, where even a single breath has to be wrested from the earth, that's where redemption begins. To go there at all is a hell few can comprehend. To come back, kicking and screaming and clawing your way to a place where you can finally hold your head up and look yourself in the eye, that's heaven.

And in this story, the man who would become a literary Grand Master showed the entire wild world that he was already capable of delving deep, very deep, and still reaching great heights.

This book was penned in the 1970s.

To be honest, some aspects of it haven't stood the test of time particularly well.

Specifically, the language and descriptors employed for different ethnic groups are rather concerning.

They are both racist and stereotypical, which unfortunately became a bit of a distraction as I delved deeper into the story.

I also felt that the plot was a touch on the thin side.

Nevertheless, it's still an overall good book.

James Lee Burke is truly an expert when it comes to creating complex protagonists.

Moreover, he has a unique way of描绘 the human condition that few other authors can rival.

That single aspect alone makes any of his novels well worth a read.

I'm really looking forward to perusing a few more of the books in this series and seeing what other literary gems he has in store.