Louis L’amour is a peculiar writer. He is known for his westerns but that description does not suit him well. This book in particular is an insightful look into inter-relations between Russians and Americans. It is a testament that our differences as countries are an illusion. L’amour brought into perspective how it is individuals who show the true, unqiue characters of the countries they live in.
Anyway, this was a most intriging, unbiased look into Cold war history. L’amour is truly a great historian and writer.
Quote 1:
“You’re a good woman,’ he said. I shall pray for you and yours.’
‘Pray is it? A long time since I’ve heard of that. Not since I was a small girl and we had churches where I lived, and priests. Well, pray if you will. I could do with a few prayers. Now be off with you, and if you say you have seen me, I shall say you lied.’
‘Of course. He smiled suddenly. ‘But don’t forget there’s a man walking away who will hold a place for you in his memory.'”
Quote 2:
“When you get back to America will you think of me?’
‘How could I forget you?’ He said, and was startled at the words. Now why did he say that?
‘It is very far. Everyone will be against you.’
‘How could it be otherwise? If our people and your people could sit down together and talk about our families, their farms, and their jobs, I think there would be no trouble.
‘It is our governments that are continually fencing for position, each trying to gain some advantage.
Russia does not trust its own people. They have built a wall to keep them in …'”- Louis L’amour
So Many Thoughts 