As I have grown older, I have found that my children lead me into new experiences, new discoveries, new things I might not have found on my own.
For example, Bonnie made me a more frequent communicator via email by her example. She used to write a regular (weekly) email that went out to hundreds of friends and family around the world. I never achieved that regularity, but I did manage what I called my non-weekly newsletter.
Jimmy convinced me I needed an iPhone (after first convincing his mother and helping her set it up). Now, it's one of the most useful devices I own. I can't imagine how I got along without it. He also led the way into the world of online music and explained to me about "the cloud." He keeps up with the latest technology and is a tremendous resource and sounding board about new devices and concepts.
She has also led me to discover new authors, and that is what this post is about. She has started a book review blog called Reading Ellie. One of the first books she reviewed is Sackett's Land by Louis L'Amour. Now I have been an avid reader of everything I could get my hands on since I was a young lad, but I had never read anything by this popular American author and great lover of America, Louis L'Amour. Ellie inspired me to read the first in the Sackett family series, and let me tell you, it won't be the last. I look forward to reading the remaining 18 books in the series.
QUOTE
Sackett’s Land by Louis L’Amour
Posted on April 7, 2012
Posted on April 7, 2012
I have started reading the Sackett books by Louis L’Amour on recommendation from my husband. Actually, the recommendation was like this, “You will get much insight into my family, especially the men in my family, if you read these books.” So, off I went on an adventure into the wild west. Well, that’s where I thought I was going. As it turns out, the Sackett books begin in England with Barnabas Sackett in “Sackett’s Land“
.jpg)
Among the things I enjoyed about this book are the ideals that are passed from father to son. Such as this: “Each man owes a debt to his family, his country and his species to leave sons and daughters who will lead, inspire and create.” In a world that so often overlooks strong parenting, it is refreshing to hear the strength and conviction of a man, even fictional, who feels the responsibility of guiding and teaching children so strongly. Even before he has any. This statement also reminds me of my father, who so often tells us that we, his son and daughters, do “lead, inspire and create.” I am grateful to him and my mother for not only feeling, but acting on the responsibility of parenthood so strongly and lovingly.
Another theme that runs through the book is loyalty. Sackett, seemingly arbitrarily, finds strong, fast friends. Often. These friends and he prove their loyalty to each other quickly and often. They are willing to risk life and fortune for each other, and are frequently required to do just that.
Barnabas Sackett reminds us of what we want to be as a nation. Of the character that we expect from our founding fathers. He reminds us of the pride we can have in our country. “If I was to establish a family, it would be here in this land. And if they were to prosper here, it would have to be in such a way as the land demanded. I had no doubt those distant sons and grandsons would respond, that we Sacketts would establish a place for ourselves here, in this land, this America” -Barnabas Sackett
I absolutely recommend this book. In fact (even without reading them all yet) I recommend the whole series to you, but if you’re not willing to base your enjoyment of a series on my reading of the first book, then stick around. I’ll be reading and reviewing the rest of the books right here.
ENDQUOTE
