First off, I had the misfortune of living with drunks, and as a result, I have absolutely zero empathy for them. I have no desire to read about their tiresome and false sense of entitlement. Honestly, I might have had a more favorable opinion of the book if it weren't for the excessive focus on drinking.

Secondly, I've come to realize that most of the time, I simply do not understand Burke's dialogue. It can't be attributed to the fact that it's outdated. After all, I can read books from the 60s and still comprehend what they're about. Maybe I'm just not well-versed enough in the way Southerners speak? It truly baffles me.

So, at around the three-quarter mark, I just started skimming through the book. I skipped over the chapter where he was in Korea, figuring that the main points would be revisited later, and indeed they were. I didn't really need to know about the poor living conditions in the migrant camps. I can easily imagine them.

And the epilogue really pissed me off. Once again, the drunks showed zero remorse or faced any consequences for their actions, and yet somehow they managed to get rewarded for making everyone around them miserable.

It's truly sad because I probably would have liked the character quite a bit if it weren't for his constant drunken escapades and complete lack of accountability. I don't understand how he can be a successful lawyer with his alcoholism so out of control. I'm rather curious as to what the next book in the series will bring.

Audiobook read by Will Patton, who is a perfect fit for Burke's writing. It was written in 1971. Even though I had read two other Hack Holland books some time ago, it took me a while to connect with this back story and realize its significance.

The book provides a vivid portrayal of the torments the main character endures and attempts to escape through excessive drinking, which is the main pastime of almost everyone in this particular story. I almost felt like I had a hangover just from reading about it.

The section about his POW captivity is quite grim. The resulting PTSD partly explains his heavy drinking, and the other reason is that when you live a lie, drinking becomes a place to hide.

Although the book is well-described, I would have preferred more in-depth exploration of the farm workers and related civil rights issues. They seemed more like a means for the main character's life transformation.

Burke indeed has a charming way with words, even when dealing with ugly topics.

I don't know what took me so long to read James Lee Burke.

I had been meaning to read "Rain Gods" for a while, and it was a good thing that I looked carefully today and realized it was the second in a series.

This book was a very enjoyable read. The writing was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the story was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that Burke had created, and I can't wait to continue on with the story.

I'm excited to see what happens next to the characters and how their stories will unfold.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, thriller, or crime novels.

James Lee Burke is a master storyteller, and "Rain Gods" is a great example of his work.

This is the first installment of the Hackberry Holland novels penned by James Lee Burke, set in the vibrant backdrop of 1960s Texas.

Lay Down My Sword And Shield delves into the life of a corporate lawyer who hails from the lineage of a renowned Texas lawman who once arrested John Wesley Hardin in the 1800s. During the Korean War, he endured a harrowing experience in a North Korean prison camp. When he discovers that one of his former fellow prisoners is mired in legal woes or striving to organize an agricultural union, he abandons everything.

The "everything" encompasses his glamorous socialite wife, a promising congressional campaign, and the law firm he jointly runs with his brother. He gradually becomes deeply embroiled in the cause of the union and starts to develop feelings for Rie Velazquez, one of the organizers.

This novel is very much a product of its time (1971) and lacks the same level of dexterity in writing as the subsequent Dave Robicheaux series. Nevertheless, it remains a worthwhile read. Even though the ending, in which Holland forfeits most of his privileged lifestyle to fight for social justice, may seem a touch unbelievable.