Lonely on the Mountain: The Sacketts

If the drive itself were not enough of a challenge, the Sackett boys find that they are hindered by local political upheaval and uncertainty about some of the hands they've brought along for the drive. There are also some unknown and unseen antagonists along the trail. Are these bandits or is this a part of the conspiracy to do Logan Sackett harm?

L'Amour adds his trademarks; intrigue, suspense, and romance. Wonderful imagery and Louis' excellent knowledge of his subject make this a great all around book. There is a special historical note from Louis in this book. I'll leave this for you to enjoy on your own.

One additional note on the Sackets. I believe Louis L'Amour was attempting to create, through his work, a bridge between the way things are and the way he thought things should be.

Take the Sackett loyalty. This isn't a quality that one finds very prevalent in today's society. Kinsmen find themselves out of contact with one another for years at a time until their relationships become as dry and destitute as any old west ghost town. Not so the Sackett family! Sacketts care and Sacketts come running when the call goes out. They give no regard to self preservation or comfort, they simply go anywhere, anytime for the good of the family and close friends.


Eleventh in the series. Good entry, not the best.   December 21, 2002
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Sackett brothers Orrin, Tyrell, and Tell team up with old sidewinder Cap Rountree to help out cousin Logan by driving a herd of cattle up north. Lonely on the Mountain is full of characterizations and adventure (even though the cattle drive doesn't start until halfway into the book).

Of course, not everybody is so nice as to allow a bunch of Sacketts to get away with doing family a favor, so the boys know to "expect Higginses," as they say (meaning to expect trouble).

Not a terrific entry in the series, but certainly worthy of the L'Amour brand.


The Sacketts ride!   May 9, 2001
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Since Western movies seem out of favor with the film industry, it's nice to find an old-fashioned story of the wild frontier. After they receive a plea for help from cousin Logan Sackett, Tell Sackett and brothers Orrin and Tyrel join Cap Rountree and a rag-tag group of drovers to drive a herd north along the James River. In an unusual development, a couple of tough-as-nails women also join the trail drive and punch cattle beside the hardened men. The trail takes them across the Dakotas toward the Canadian high country. They encounter hostile Sioux and Blackfeet, ambush and treachery by their enemies, and a buffalo stampede that scatters the longhorns across the wooded plains.

Louis L'Amour breathes new life into the familiar elements of the Western story. The Sackett tales stress family solidarity in the face of adversity. In addition, there is L'Amour's typical emphasis on the freedom of the big sky country and the lure of distant trails. The setting is rugged and colorful, and a pleasing contrast to the hustle and noise of modern life. The novel is a quick read that doesn't require deep thought to get the point. A superior entry from the Master of the West. ;-)


In the old west, blood is thicker than water....   February 12, 2000
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Everything was right in the worlds of Tell and Tyrel Sackett until they got a message from their cousin Logan saying he needed a herd of cattle brought up north to right away, and that is when the trouble began. Lonely On The Mountain is a superb tale of family pulling together to help each other out, no matter what the circumstances may be. When you pick up this book, pack your saddle roll because you'll be trailing around with Tell, Tyrel, Orrin, and that old sidewinder Cap Rountree. You'll read about the most beautiful country on earth, and L'Amour describes it so wonderfully that you can almost imagine yourself on the prairie watching that tall grass sway in the wind like the waves on the ocean. However, there will be trouble on the way for our beloved Sacketts because not everybody wants to see them bring all that cattle through to cousin Logan. This is truly one of L'Amour's best efforts, and his use of descriptions is breathtaking. If you find yourself lazing around on a summer day, or you can't do your errands because it's raining outside, then pick this one up. You'll be transported to a time when family was the only thing you stood for, and good conquered all. Oh yeah, watch your back trail for Indians......


The Sacketts are at it again. Great action and emotion.   September 3, 1999
With LAmour dead these superb sequences are coming to an end. Great adventure with all the clan of intriguing Sacketts and up to L'Amour's finest standards. Breathtaking descriptions of scenery and representation of fine vigor and action. See Aymond by Burkhart for comporable sequences.