Lay Down My Sword and Shield Audiobook

" 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. "

" One of my first reads of the non-Robicheaux James Lee Burke. Beautiful writing. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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! "

" 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!!! "

" One of Burkes earlier novels. AS usual he doesnt disappoint. "

" 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. "

" ...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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" On page 154... "

" Decent pulp fiction. "

" Good pace but dated now. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Love his descriptive prose. You can smell, feel and see all the author is imparting. Well developed, flawed characters. "

" 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. "

" 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! "

" 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. "

" One of Burkes earlier novels. AS usual he doesnt disappoint. "

" 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. "

" 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 "

" One of my first reads of the non-Robicheaux James Lee Burke. Beautiful writing. "