No. 9), Mojave Crossing (Sacketts

William Tell Sackett is heading for Los Angeles. He's got thirty pounds of gold to sell and is willing to ride the extra miles to get a better price. But no one can ride with that much gold and not attract a certain amount of trouble.

The trouble this time comes in the form of a black-eyed girl named Durinda. She's beautiful, and she's obviously on the run from something. Always having a soft spot for hard luck cases, Tell agrees to take her to Los Angeles with him almost before he realizes what he's doing. That was a mistake that might just cost him his life.

To get to Los Angeles, they must cross the Mojave Desert. Any experienced trail rider could make the trip with no trouble, but with a woman in tow and a band of thieving murderers on his trail, even Tell Sackett is hard pressed to make the trip. He almost made it.

When Tell comes to after a gunfight, his gold, his horses, and Durinda are gone. He still has a lot of desert to cross, and if he makes it, someone on the other side is going to be very sorry.

That Tell Sackett's got a yard o' guts I tell you what. Louis L'Amour was born in 1908 and writes stories about a time before he was born. He describes the era so aptly that I would swear he lived it himself. I really enjoyed Mojave Crossing. Tell's toughness and survival skills really shine through in this audiobook.

I'm running out of things to say about David Strathairn. I like his narration of Mojave Crossing very much, although I often wonder what he would sound like on a different type of story. He will always be a western reader in my mind.

I was never a fan of westerns, but Louis L'Amour presents a strong case for the genre. Give Mojave Crossing a try: I think you'll like it.

This July, 1964, western novel transports the reader to the years 1875-1879 with a trip through the Mojave desert into Los Angeles, California. The route Tell Sackett takes out of Hardyville, Arizona Territory, leads him to Piute Wash and Rock Spring, then south to Black Canyon, then south to Granite Well, then southwest to Willow Spring and the Sheep Hole Mountains, with a side trip to Hidden Valley, then into Los Angeles (or "the Pueblo" as it was then known).

Once there he stays at Pico House, an 1870 style, 3 story high, blue granite hotel on the corner of Main and Plaza. Along the way Tell meets up with Nolan Sackett and till book's end, though they are related cousins from Tennessee, seem to be on opposite sides. This book doesn't show Nolan at his best until he decides to side with his cousin.

Louis L'Amour also gives us much collateral information along the way such as the place known as La Nopalera or as 'The Catus Patch' area being today's Hollywood, and Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas being modern day Beverly Hills. Rodeo drive did originally see many rodeos in its area. He also mentions the town of San Bernardino as originally being a Mormon town, and interestingly Big Horn Sheep are not sheep at all, but in the deer family.

In Tell's journey we get this guided tour of a trail to Los Angeles, meet a woman who could be called a witch, seek to recapture stolen gold from Tell, and discover gold from a retired pirate, and meet several down right mean and ornery killers. In several scenes the past comes unexpectedly rushing back to haunt William Tell Sackett in both people and locale.

This book once listed as number 6 in the Sackett series, is now listed in THE SACKETT COMPANION: A PERSONAL GUIDE TO THE SACKETT NOVELS by Louis as number 9. If a reader enjoys this novel it is an apt suggestion that he or she will also be interested in THE CALIFORNIOS, another book by Louis L'Amour, though that book is not in the Sackett series. But both books show California to have been equal to any western town of the time though we do not usually consider it such today. Both books help us to realign our thinking to seeing California as rough and ready as any town of the west.

Semper Fi.

The Sackett series is a definite set of reads authors are going to love. In this book follow Tell Sackett from Arizona to California. I enjoy the characters this author always brings to life and the locations he writes about and that make you feel like you stepped back in time, well done,

Very good story about the Sacketts, Namely Tell and his dealings with crooks who stole his money. I have yet to read a Sackett novel that was not excellent in tying the family together even back to the grandfather.

I think The Sackett books are good to read because its on the western 1800s time.
At first I was like why read this book but its actuly based on true places but fictional characters.
Tell Sackett saves some kids so he can get his newphew back from the indians.
I would say read it because it tells you suvorir skills.

One in Louis L'Amours acclaimed Sackett series, this tale of survival, betrayal and courage is set in the not-so-typical locations of the Mojave desert and California, successfully mingling a riveting yarn with interesting historical facts. L'Amour knew the West like no other. His trails, localities, water holes and camp sites are real, his characters fit the rough times they lived in, and a trail described by him could be followed today.

Loads of history regarding the crossing of the Mojave Desert and the unique names given the "tanks" which held water year round. Per William Tell Sackett those things were most important to know and the locations. Lots of history about California and the Spaniards who owned huge rancheros. There isn't any reference, in this adventure about the Spanish Grants that Spain had issued to Spaniards wishing to settle the areas that now are New Mexico, Arizona and California...very interesting. In addition to the great descriptions of the areas including the Spanish settlers attire, silks,silver, and butter soft leathers must have been a sight to behold, Tell gives this description which he followed up with how the majority of them lived in houses with dirt packed floors...oh well, that's still going on, all show and no quality...
William Tell Sackett is a man to ride the river with. He knows when to fold and get in the wind depending on the situations. He always thinking and very observant, he's trust worthy. I think everyone reading about the Sackett Clan of Tennessee will feel the same...