Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Haunted Mesa"

Louis L'Amour is one of the most frequent writers of the American West, particularly the Southwest. "The Haunted Mesa" is one of those books that traces actual myths and legends of Native American tribes in the area and those who came before them.

L'Amour said of himself, "I think of myself in the oral tradition - as a troubadour, a village taleteller, the man in the shadows of the campfire. That's the way I'd like to be remembered - as a storyteller. A good storyteller."

His wish is reality. The author passed in 1988, but left behind more than 120 books of good storytelling.

This particular work is the story of a man seeking to save a friend whom he believes has crossed over into a third world of violent legends and mythical warriors. So begins "The Haunted Mesa" and the tale of another world.

The prologue to this book well describes the special extra L'Amour brought to his tales: "Not only could he physically fill the boots of the rugged characters he wrote about, but he literally 'walked the land my characters walk.' His personal experiences as well as his lifelong devotion to historical research combined to give L'Amour the unique knowledge and understanding of people, events and the challenge of the American frontier that became the hallmarks of his popularity."

This book brings the anticipation of the storyteller together with the history of this land. You'll be page turning with some rapidity as this story races along.

"All great literature is one of two stories; a man goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town." - Leo Tolstoy

In January, the American Library Association announced its 2016 Youth Media Award winners. It is never too early to read to a child and always important to find quality books to introduce a child to the wonders inside the pages.

These winners are certainly worthy of consideration by all parents.

You can find the list at ALA.org. I always like web sites that end with ".org." There is at least some hope with that designation for an independent analysis based on content, not sponsorship.

Additionally, the ALA site is a good one to have as a reader since it covers about anything printed or made a part of the social media. The site is also an excellent research tool.

Read on!

Gary Thorne is the play-by-play voice of the Orioles on MASN, and the 2016 season is his tenth with the club and 31st covering Major League Baseball. His blog will appear regularly throughout the season. The Orioles and Sarasota County have partnered on the Big League Reader Program, which rewarded kids who read three books in February with tickets to a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium in March.

* Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne.© Copyright 2016 Gary F. Thorne. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Gary F. Thorne and MASNsports.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.