The first of its kind, a unique volume of twenty-one unpublished gems from one of the twentieth century’s most popular and prolific writers Using his father’s handwritten notes, journal entries, and correspondences, Beau L’Amour uncovers how and why many never-before-seen manuscripts were written—and speculates about the ways they might have ended.These selections celebrate L’Amour’s vision and … selections celebrate L’Amour’s vision and virtuosity, including the first seven chapters of a powerful novel about the Trail of Tears, a chilling Western horror story, and a tale of the American Revolution featuring a character related to L’Amour’s well-known Sackett family. At the other end of the spectrum are classic adventures, such as The Golden Tapestry, set in 1960s Istanbul, as well as several uniquely different attempts at what would have been the most profoundly intimate of all of L’Amour’s novels, a saga of reincarnation that stretches from a time before time, to the period of Alexander the Great, and on to Warlord-Era China.
Illustrated with rare photographs, this book reveals the L’Amour you have never known, his personal struggles as a writer, and the contest between mortality and a literary legacy too big for one life to contain.
“Lost treasures indeed . . . a behind-the scenes look at the unpublished work and unrealized aspirations of an iconic writer of Westerns.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A valuable addition to [L’Amour’s] literary legacy.”—Booklist
Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures is a project created to release some of the author’s more unconventional manuscripts from the family archives.
In Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures: Volumes 1, Beau L’Amour takes the reader on a guided tour through many of the finished and unfinished short stories, novels, and treatments that his father was never able to publish during his lifetime. L’Amour’s never-before-seen first novel, No Traveller Returns, faithfully completed for this program, is a voyage into danger and violence on the high seas. These exciting publications will be followed by Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures: Volume 2.
Additionally, many beloved classics will be rereleased with an exclusive Lost Treasures postscript featuring previously unpublished material, including outlines, plot notes, and alternate drafts. These postscripts tell the story behind the stories that millions of readers have come to know and cherish.
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I think I’ve been in love with Louis L’Amour’s storytelling for nearly forty years. It began the moment I swiped my dad’s paperback when I ran out of my own books and was immediately engrossed in the historic western mystery I had in my hands.
I learn now that being immediately engrossed was no accident. In this fantastic revealing of the behind the scenes to the life and stories of a beloved writer, Louis’ son, Beau reveals that L’Amour believed in the opening lines packing a punch even over the finale of his stories.
Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures Vol. 1 was a feast for a fan like me. First there was a fantastic discussion and trip back into the past where I got to meet the writer through his son’s eyes. This included his early years, his thoughts on writing, his fails and successes. Then, Beau L’amour shares samples of the stories that didn’t make the cut for one reason or another, the outlines and interest letters with story outlines to publishers and movie makers, and drafts. Along the way, there are photographs, notes, letters to pour over…
This book may seem to be aimed at L’Amour’s readership, but I saw plenty for author’s to glean from about the man’s writing craft, habits, and samples. There is advice here though it is not written as such.
I was enthralled to be welcomed behind the curtain. Even these incomplete and shelved stories managed to pull me in and make me groan when they ended. I do appreciate Beau including any notes from Louis or his own surmises about the direction of the stories so I wasn’t left hanging too badly. Speaking of being left hanging, I must share that there are no plans to complete these stories post-humorously. I get why, but man I am greedy and would not be upset if some talented writer were to take up the task.
So, all in all, I found this quite the gem and was grateful for a glimpse at what was piled on shelves, in boxes, or on the writing desk of a favorite and endearing author who excelled at western, historical, adventures, contemporary, or any other genre he set his mind to write.
Admittedly this is for L’Amour aficionados. It contains unfinished stories, movie treatments and drafts of published stories in all the genres Louis wanted to publish in. Minimal westerns. Each story is enhanced by personal notes by his son Beau that brings a true picture of the man to life.
I love the stories, but would love an ending.
it’s LL, but it isn’t all westerns. what a change
too wordy
Left me wanting to know the rest of the story… how Louis would have finished them
Beau was correct it’s frustrating reading unfinished work.but I’ll read anything from Louis lamour
Good insight of writing style and passion of Louis Lamour. Excellent preface and narration by his daughter. I really enjoyed it…
Anything by Louis L’Armour is a good read. Even the non-western novels
I love how L’Amour develops his characters.
Closest thing to a biography, learn about the man buy reading partial works edited by his son.
I didn’t read this book but I did download it for my husband. He had the whole collection & read them so many times they fell apart. He always gives anything by Louie L’Amours books 5 stars. His very favorite author.
Always a good read. The west at it’s best.
Love westerns.
The stories are clever and original, the characters are a little stereotypical but nevertheless you care about them.