Rating: 
Summary: Southeastern Arizona Dispatch Rider
Review:
The area of this novel is southeastern Arizona in the area of the Chiricahua Mountains during the Apache wars. The main character is Hondo Lane, riding dispatch and scout for General Crook. He has a companion who sides him, "a rough-looking mongrel dog," named Sam.
Most of the reviews herein show ample evidence to the enjoyment and value of this novel. Most give it either 4 or 5 stars. Not too many, though some exist, are negative regarding this story. So it's safe to say this is a very good western. I think it possibly the best Louis L'Amour ever penned. I've read the book more times than I can count, having several hardcover and softcover on my shelves. It's a quick, engrossing read, but such an entertaining one, too.
One of the elements that strike me, is the number of people who cannot separate John Wayne from this story. They seem linked together forever. I recall seeing the picture back in the 1950s, yes the story is that old, and the movie was shot in 3-D. If you are of a certain age you will know what that means, and also what a dud 3-D turned out to be. Considering John Wayne, I think the movie did him a great service as a starring role; and though I have a large piece of artwork from the movie on my western wall, of John and his faithful dog, Sam, directly behind him, I never forget that the short story, and book came first. Not the other way round.
So give Mr. L'Amour the credit, for without the story, no movie. But again, they do seem inseparable.
Though this book can stand along side "Shane" I think the two very different books. The subject matter and time frame doesn't match either. Hondo Lane belongs to a time of seizing the land, Shane belongs to a later time, when gunfighters are quickly becoming obsolete, and 'sodbuster' settlers are seizing the land.
One last interesting element for me is the various thoughts and glimpes each reader receives from Hondo. Read the reviews, and you will see that the book is truly a universal western, meaning many things to many people.
Louis L'Amour's own words may describe it best, "...American stories, the stories I wish to tell, and if I have not told them well, I shall have tried."
Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for Louis L'Amour fans
Review: "Hondo," by Louis L'Amour, was first published in 1953. The story starts with Hondo Lane combating Apaches that killed his horse. Walking back to the fort, he finds a ranch in a hidden valley. A married woman and her son live on this ranch in Apache country, while her husband spends his time away at the town gambling. Hondo, the woman, and her son quickly take a liking to each other and Hondo buys a horse from them to speed his journey to the fort. At the fort, Hondo encounters the woman's husband. Their encounters have multiple motives, as Hondo cares for the woman and the husband wants to rob Hondo. The plot becomes even more complicated as the Apaches and the military have several battles -- all of which affect Hondo and the woman.I highly recommend this book for Louis L'Amour fans or those interested in sampling his writing. I found the book hard to put down and neglected other activities until I was done reading it. Several battles and hand-to-hand combats give the book plenty of action. There is also suspense because the reader is left wondering what will happen between Hondo, the woman and her husband. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for Louis L'Amour fans
Review: "Hondo," by Louis L'Amour, was first published in 1953. The story starts with Hondo Lane combating Apaches that killed his horse. Walking back to the fort, he finds a ranch in a hidden valley. A married woman and her son live on this ranch in Apache country, while her husband spends his time away at the town gambling. Hondo, the woman, and her son quickly take a liking to each other and Hondo buys a horse from them to speed his journey to the fort. At the fort, Hondo encounters the woman's husband. Their encounters have multiple motives, as Hondo cares for the woman and the husband wants to rob Hondo. The plot becomes even more complicated as the Apaches and the military have several battles -- all of which affect Hondo and the woman. I highly recommend this book for Louis L'Amour fans or those interested in sampling his writing. I found the book hard to put down and neglected other activities until I was done reading it. Several battles and hand-to-hand combats give the book plenty of action. There is also suspense because the reader is left wondering what will happen between Hondo, the woman and her husband. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for Louis L'Amour fans
Review: "Hondo," by Louis L'Amour, was first published in 1953. The story starts with Hondo Lane combating Apaches that killed his horse. Walking back to the fort, he finds a ranch in a hidden valley. A married woman and her son live on this ranch in Apache country, while her husband spends his time away at the town gambling. Hondo, the woman, and her son quickly take a liking to each other and Hondo buys a horse from them to speed his journey to the fort. At the fort, Hondo encounters the woman's husband. Their encounters have multiple motives, as Hondo cares for the woman and the husband wants to rob Hondo. The plot becomes even more complicated as the Apaches and the military have several battles -- all of which affect Hondo and the woman. I highly recommend this book for Louis L'Amour fans or those interested in sampling his writing. I found the book hard to put down and neglected other activities until I was done reading it. Several battles and hand-to-hand combats give the book plenty of action. There is also suspense because the reader is left wondering what will happen between Hondo, the woman and her husband. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best!
Review: A great story, if you love westerns do not miss this one. It is timeless.
Rating:
Summary: One of Louis L'Amour 's best work
Review: A story that you can't stop reading it until it's finnished.
A PIONEER WOMAN, THE GUNMAN, AND THE APACHE WARRIOR ARE CAUGHT IN A DRAMA OF LOVE, WAR, AND HONOR.
Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC TALE FROM LOUIS L'AMOUR
Review: As my Louis L'Amour library grows I find that there are stories there that rank among some of the best American fiction readers can find. Okay, I can just hear you. "Louis L'Amour! Isn't he just the leading purveyor of Western pulp fiction that there is? Not a serious author after all!"
Not hardly! Let's face it, L'Amour's Western stories rank right up there with those of Larry McMurtry, Vardis Fisher and Zane Grey.
And HONDO is one of L'Amour's best ever! My book includes an endorsement by John Wayne, the star of the movie based on L'Amour's classic. I won't say that it's my absolute L'Amour favorite. But it ranks right up there with other favorites of mine like HAUNTED MESA and LAST OF THE BREED. Over fifty years old and still a great book!
THE HORSEMAN
Rating: 
Summary: Always a good read.
Review: Good solid story. I've liked most of Louis L'Amour's books. I first saw the movie, and then went and got the book. From there I tracked down some more of his stories. This is a fast paced plot with strong characters. One thing I've liked about Mr. L'Amour is his attention to detail, the respect for the culture of American Indians and the strong female characters he uses.
Rating:
Summary: gotta be the best western ever
Review: gotta be one of the best westerns of all time. It is a classic Lamour and certainly a good book to start with if you haven't read a Lamour before. Lamour is very knowledgable about life on the American frontier and has spent many years researching this niche of history. This fact easily becomes apparent during the reading of Hondo. He has a very visual way of writing that makes you feel hot and dry in the desert and cold and alive in the mountains. This book certainly helps you to understand why he was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor by the US Congress and later recieved the presidential Award of Freedom.
Rating:
Summary: gotta be the best western ever
Review: gotta be one of the best westerns of all time. It is a classic Lamour and certainly a good book to start with if you haven't read a Lamour before. Lamour is very knowledgable about life on the American frontier and has spent many years researching this niche of history. This fact easily becomes apparent during the reading of Hondo. He has a very visual way of writing that makes you feel hot and dry in the desert and cold and alive in the mountains. This book certainly helps you to understand why he was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor by the US Congress and later recieved the presidential Award of Freedom.
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