Big Country, Vol. 2

Stories of Louis L'Amour

By: Louis L’Amour

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

In "West of the Tularosa," Ward McQueen, foreman for the Tumbling K, is accused of killing a nearby rancher and he's going to need some help to prove his innocence.

In "Home in the Valley," Steve Mehan can still recoup the money to save five ranches back home if only he can make it from Sacramento to Seattle on horseback and beat the steamer carrying some bad news.

In "West Is Where the Heart Is," home is still more than 200 miles away when Jim London comes across the burned-out wagon train with only one survivor, a five-year-old girl. He'll have to take her with him.

©1951 Better Publications, Inc.; 1949 by Better Publications, Inc.; 1951 by Better Publications, Inc.; 2010 by Golden West Literary Agency (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Louis L'Amour said that the West was no place for the frightened or the mean. It was a "big country needing big men and women to live in it." Here are three more of his fine short stories about the West.

In a word--GREAT!!!!!

According to his official web site list Louis L'Amour wrote 126 books, and I'm well on my way to reading most of them. This collection of THREE short stories are some of his best, in my opinion.

(1) Wade McQueen, foreman of the Tumbling K, is back in "West Of The Tularosa" better than ever.
(2) "West Is Where The Heart Is" is about a man, Jim London, who finds an orphaned girl from a Wagon Train massacre on his way home from the war.
(3) In "Home In The Valley" we're introduced to a man, Steve McCann (sp?), a man that doesn't know the meaning of 'you can't do it', or in 'giving up'.

ALL are great stories read by Mark Bramhall, who gave a convincing performance even for the women.

If you've never read Louis L'Amour books this would be a great first read, and a must read for the L'Amour fan.

Big Country Vol. 2

Great short stories, great book!!! love it!!!!
would recommend to anyone liking western stories...Awesome

Pleasantly Surprised.

I don't generally read/listen to westerns, but I had often heard of Louis L'Amour, so i decided to try one. The stories were very good with more than the traditional "shoot 'em up" plot or ending. I especially enjoyed "West is Where the Heart Is" The narration by Mark Bramhall really enhanced the stories, making the experience like listening to a teleplay.

No place for the weak or timid!

West of the Tularosa – Purchasing land in a new area can be dangerous. Ward McQueen, manager of the Firebox was overseeing the purchase of a ranch with controlling water that was wanted by Webb of the Rocking-W, a big local rancher. The Rocking-W employed several gunfighters. McQueen and the Tumbling-K Segundo, Kim Sartain were “fast hands” as well. All this spelled coming trouble; gun trouble. This is a pretty good who-done-it, strong characters with plenty of action.

Home in the Valley – Steve Mehan was on a mission; a dangerous mission. The ranches of his wife’s father and grandfather, along with three others, were about to be forfeited. Notes were due to a man named Hittson, cash was scarce and time was running out. Mehan devised a desperate plan to get the needed money. It worked and Mehan deposited the money in a Sacramento bank. Fate had other plans though. It was 99% sure that Mehan’s money was lost. Mehan was not one to give up, devising another seemingly impossible plan, banking on that one percent. This is an inspiring fast-paced story about determination and loyalty. I liked it.

West Is Where the Heart Is – Jim London survives a wagon train attack with just the shirt on his back. So does a five-year-old girl. I think the little girl brings Jim good luck as they are soon on their way. Jim doggedly headed for home and his wife, being away nearly five years due to the war and travel. People he met warned him that five years was a long time but Jim was confident and determined. The optimistic tale continues, as they journey through Indian and bandit territory to get home. It’s a fine short story of hope and love.

Lamour is Gold

The Lamour Brand needs no endorsing, from anyone! the stories weave big tracks in your heart.

Great collection of frontier stories!

We really liked the authenticity of these stories by the author as he was a tremendous student of the era these stories were written about. He had one of the greatest collections of history books and diaries written by people who made the wagon train journeys and kept daily logs of their travels. He also lived and worked on cattle ranches and traveled around the country getting a firsthand look at the life he was writing about, lumber-jack, seafaring deckhand, and horse wrangler. A dedicated author to his own legacy and first rate writer.

Early L"Amour

This is one of Mr. L'Amour's earlier short story collections. It is a good listen though the technology and reading is not as well done as some of his later audio books.

Entertaining Stories

Like the way reality is woven in with possible but difficult task won by those in the right.

repeat stories

repeat stories on this. already heard on 3vother different titles same stories. boring to keep hearing same dtories when you thought was different.