Lay Down My Sword and Shield

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The hero of James Lee Burke's recent best-seller Rain Gods, cousin to lawman Billy Bob Holland and a genuine product of the South, both old and new, Hackberry Holland makes his first appearance in this early gem from "America's best novelist" (The Denver Post).

Against the backdrop of growing civil rights turmoil in a sultry border town, the hard-drinking ex-POW attorney yields to the myriad urgings of his wife, his brother, and his so-called friends to make a bid for a congressional seat - and finds himself embroiled in the seamy world of Texas powerbrokers. And when Hack attempts to overturn an old army buddy's conviction, and crosses paths with a beautiful union organizer who speaks to his heart in a way no one else has, he finds both a new love and a new purpose as he breaks free from the shackles of wealth and expectation to bring justice to the underserved.

©2010 James Lee Burke (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Will Patton’s story telling ability is astounding

Burke’s descriptions are so detailed that I am not sure anyone but Patton can do them justice. Patton’s narrative makes you smell the earth and see the lightning.
A dark and superb story told with dust in the air from south Texas that you can taste in your throat.

Ambivalent

The title of this review expresses my ambivalence between the quality of the writing and story telling, and my intense dislike of the main character. The four star rating is largely homage to Burke's writing, and his bringing to life the farm worker's struggle for fair treatment. It's also in appreciation of the light he casts on the type of people who succeed in politics, and why.

There are scenes between Hack and Veresa that are drawn with a surgeon's scalpel, and you can almost feel the blood oozing out of your own pores. Similarly, Hack's brother's complaints have the ring of truth and I longed for him to throw Hack out on his drunk butt.

Hack's political career is drawn from the headlines. The lurid details of his drunken escapades can be found in the real reports of politicians' misdeeds, sorry to say.

Hackberry Holland is an abhorrent character. He's a selfish, self-absorbed, egotistical, alcoholic who blames all of his problems on other people. In many ways, he's stereotyped, as are the women with whom he interacts.

He falls into the farm workers struggle not out of principle, but in an alcoholic binge. I would have had more respect for him had he had some principle about it.

Yes, he was a POW in a Chinese camp and his treatment there defies comprehension. Burke describes it extensively, and in great detail. Too much is given over to this, so much so that it felt like mere sensationalism, a disappointment from a writer of Burke's ability.

Will Patton does his usual excellent job narrating the book.

Although overall I enjoyed the book, I'm not sure I'll read any more books featuring Hackberry Holland.

Intense, gripping tale ... Great narration!

The combination of James Lee Burke and Will Patton is unbeatable. This is my favorite of Burke's recent books. Billy Bob Holland has grown and added a lot of depth to his character. He inhabits a world that is not black and white, but solidly comprised of shades of gray ... as is the real world.

All of James Lee Burke's characters have history, baggage and flaws. Some are purely evil. Others manage to overcome their flaws to display extraordinary courage.

A great story, beautifully narrated, I loved it from start to finish.

Great story well told

This one pulled me right in. Mr. Patton's narration is perfect.

Excellent Book

I loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and found the story to be illustrative of a time from our not so distant past.

This Review Needs A Title...So, I Gave it One

Hackberry Holland is a pretty compelling character. I was riveted to everything he said and did,. He listens to absolutely no one, does pretty much whatever he likes, and is the kind of guy we all want to be. He gives up a political career for a woman and an alcohol filled, liberal life. Loyal to his friends, he takes the case of an Army buddy and the story is off and running. I enjoyed it more than many from this author.

Brilliant Writing and Performances

This is my First Burke novel and it did not disappoint. He is a very descriptive writer, without overdoing it. I️ felt as though I️ was in the midst of the story and the characters are very well developed. I will read / listen to more of his novels.

As for Will Patton, incredible! This is what Audible was created to be. I’ve always enjoyed him as an actor. But, he won me over. He’s as much of the reason that I️ will purchase. An excellent combo!

Great writer pens a mediocre story

James Lee Burke is perhaps one of the best authors on the planet. His words paint the scenes in his books and his use of metaphor is in a class by itself. This early effort by him displays how good a writer he is. But the story was a downer and had me depressed throughout most of the listen. I wish the stary had been better because Burke's writing and Patton's narration provide a synergy hard to beat when listening to recorded books. Patton's narration and Burke's writing talents raised this story from two stars to four stars. Mixed bag.

great read!

slow in the beginning, but hang in there and it will be worth it. some parts about history very enlightening but soboringly so.

A moving story of a broken man seeking redemption on his own terms

How can I complain of nausea when Burke and Patton have miraculously confined me in the horrors of the POW camp feeling, seeing, smelling everything. How can I criticize them for dragging me, kicking and screaming, inside the head of a tormented alcoholic and experiencing his view of the world. My heartbreak is complete. I feel wrung out but better for having been through it. What gifts they both have. I’ll need some recovery time but I’ll be ready for another round soon.