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Lay Down My Sword and Shield Audiobook
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(3.04) - 692 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Vintage James Lee Burke: The first novel introducing the memorable Texas sheriff Hackberry Holland, coming of age against the backdrop of the civil rights era in a sultry border town.
In hot and sultry Texas, Hack, an attorney and Korean War POW, is being pushed by his wife, his brother, and his so-called friends in the oil business to run for political office. But Hack would prefer to drink, look after his beloved horses, and represent the occasional long-shot pro bono case at his law firm. When Hack attempts to overturn a conviction for an old army buddy, he finds himself embroiled in the seamy underbelly of the Texas patronage system—and in the earliest beginnings of the United Farm Workers movement, led by a beautiful woman who speaks to his heart in a way no one else has. As Hack begins to bring justice to the underserved, he finds both a new love and a new purpose.
With his skillful blend of engaging plotlines, compelling characters, and graceful prose, James Lee Burke demonstrates the shimmering clarity of vision that has made him beloved by suspense fans all over the globe.
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"One of James Lee Burke's early novels, wrote in early 70's with lead character the wealthy son of a congressman - Hack Holland who is struggling to come to terms with this life and whats expected of him. Fans of the Author will enjoy, some lovely passages og Burke's trademark descriptive writing. "
— Joe (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Burke keeps a reader’s blood pumping.”
— Los Angeles Times, praise for the author -
“A soulful, world-weary reading…Patton’s narrations of Burke’s novels are the perfect marriage of writer and reader.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred audio review)
Awards
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A Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner in 2010
Lay Down My Sword and Shield Listener Reviews
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John, 4/14/2016
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Louise LaPoint, 10/23/2014
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" I didn't like this book at first. It is fairly graphic dealing with Hackberry Holland's experiences as a POW in Korea. I stayed with it and it turns out I'm glad I did. The end was great and well worth it. "
— MWindschiegl, 2/16/2014 -
" One of my first reads of the non-Robicheaux James Lee Burke. Beautiful writing. "
— Mikel, 2/4/2014 -
" A curious read, I wasn't sure at first but it turned out to be a great read. Give it a try when your bookshelf runs dry. "
— Chuck, 2/3/2014 -
" I liked this book, though it doesn't really stack up against my favorites from James Lee Burke. This one was written back in 1971, and it's interesting to see how much Burke's craft has developed since then. Anyone who has read the Dave Robicheaux books will see great similarities between the main character of this book; it feels like Hackberry Holland was the prototype for Dave. In any case, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next two about Hackberry. I found the series after reading glowing reviews of the third book (Feast Day of Fools), and I suspect the books will only improve from here. Even though this book wasn't Burke's best, it still had enough interesting characters and wonderful turns of phrase to keep me interested. #30 in the Book a Week in 2012 Challenge from the #WTM boards. "
— Abeille, 2/1/2014 -
" I'm a huge fan of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux books, and I wasn't willing to accept that Burke could make me as interested in another protagonist, but he did! "
— Alice, 1/29/2014 -
" Love James Lee Burke and his morosely reflective characters Dave Robicheaux and Hack Holland...I've enjoyed a number of Hack Holland novels, but missed the 1st one...I got a lot of backstory regarding Hack's failed run for Congress and 1st marriage...Great Read!!! "
— Mark, 1/24/2014 -
" One of Burkes earlier novels. AS usual he doesnt disappoint. "
— Dave, 1/23/2014 -
" A good read and interesting story....explained a bunch of missing parts of in the first book i read in the "Hackberry Holland" series, i read them out of order of course. "
— Nick, 12/27/2013 -
" ...just not a fan of James Lee Burke. Too much unnecessary gory violence. I read this aloud to my husband, and I WOULD NOT have finished the book if he had not really wanted us to read it. "
— Libby, 12/27/2013 -
" One of James Lee Burke's early novels, wrote in early 70's with lead character the wealthy son of a congressman - Hack Holland who is struggling to come to terms with this life and whats expected of him. Fans of the Author will enjoy, some lovely passages og Burke's trademark descriptive writing. "
— Joe, 12/20/2013 -
" This was one of Burke's books that I somehow missed when I was trying to read all of his books years ago. I'm glad I discovered it. "
— Judy, 12/4/2013 -
" James Lee Burke is my favorite author, well along with Cormac McCarthy and now Stieg Larsson. At least I can keep reading Burke and McCarthy. "
— David, 11/13/2013 -
" On page 154... "
— Charlie, 7/20/2013 -
" Decent pulp fiction. "
— Gregory, 6/7/2013 -
" Good pace but dated now. "
— Justine, 3/9/2013 -
" James Lee Burke is one of best writers of our times. He is one of the few writers whose books I will purchase in hard cover because I can't wait for the paperback version to come out. "
— Cammie, 7/31/2012 -
" James Lee Burke has moved his main character from Louisiana to Texas, but it's the same wounded, tortured soul who responds to injustice and hypocrisy by doing stupid things. But since this is a novel, it all works out for the best. But if you liked Burke, you'll likely love this one. I did. "
— Kendall, 4/10/2012 -
" James Lee Burke engages me like no other author. Reading his books is like therapy. Not only is he wildly entertaining, reading him is also an education in humanity especially as it exists in the South. I Heart JLB. "
— James, 12/18/2011 -
" I wanted to go to the beginning of the Hackberry Holland series so this was it. Definitely written in Burke fashion but with even more Booze than in the Robicheaux novels. I will read Feast Day of Fools in the near future. "
— Rick, 11/6/2011 -
" Love his descriptive prose. You can smell, feel and see all the author is imparting. Well developed, flawed characters. "
— Mary, 10/24/2011 -
" James Lee Burke can certainly turn a phrase. I enjoy the lyric and often irreverent language, and find Hack Holland (both the old man our Hack admires, and our Hack himself) an altogether pleasant protagonist - which is not the same as being pleasant all the time. "
— Cindy, 9/10/2011 -
" I'm a huge fan of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux books, and I wasn't willing to accept that Burke could make me as interested in another protagonist, but he did! "
— Ajaxwriter, 10/10/2010 -
" James Lee Burke is my favorite author, well along with Cormac McCarthy and now Stieg Larsson. At least I can keep reading Burke and McCarthy. "
— David, 8/5/2010 -
" One of Burkes earlier novels. AS usual he doesnt disappoint. "
— Dave, 7/27/2010 -
" James Lee Burke has moved his main character from Louisiana to Texas, but it's the same wounded, tortured soul who responds to injustice and hypocrisy by doing stupid things. But since this is a novel, it all works out for the best. But if you liked Burke, you'll likely love this one. I did. "
— Kendall, 6/12/2010 -
" I have Been a fan of JLB . but this is one of the best book i Have read this year BRILLIANT I have happily given this a 5 star rating "
— stan, 11/24/2009 -
" One of my first reads of the non-Robicheaux James Lee Burke. Beautiful writing. "
— Mikel, 12/30/2008
About James Lee Burke
James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author of forty novels and two short-story collections. He has won the Edgar Award, the CWA Gold Dagger, and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policièr. He was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. His novel The Lost-Get Back Boogie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and two of his books, Heaven’s Prisoners and Two for Texas, have been made into motion pictures.
About Will Patton
Will Patton is an award-winning actor and narrator. HIs narrations have earned the prestigious Audie Award for Best Fiction Narration and also won dozens of AudioFile Earphones Awards. His numerous film credits include Remember the Titans, The Punisher, The Mothman Prophesies, Armageddon, and The Spitfire Grill. He starred in the TNT miniseries Into the West and on the CBS series The Agency and won Obie Awards in the theater for his performances in Fool for Love and What Did He See.