• The Walking Drum

  • By: Louis L'Amour
  • Narrated by: John Curless
  • Length: 16 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,112 ratings)

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The Walking Drum  By  cover art

The Walking Drum

By: Louis L'Amour
Narrated by: John Curless
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Publisher's summary

Louis L’Amour has been best known for his ability to capture the spirit and drama of the authentic American West. Now he guides his listeners to an even more distant frontier - the enthralling lands of the 12th century.

Warrior, lover, and scholar Kerbouchard is a daring seeker of knowledge and fortune bound on a journey of enormous challenge, danger, and revenge. Across Europe, over the Russian steppes, and through the Byzantine wonders of Constantinople, Kerbouchard is thrust into the treacheries, passions, violence, and dazzling wonders of a magnificent time.

From castle to slave galley, from sword-racked battlefields to a princess’ secret chamber, and ultimately, to the impregnable fortress of the Valley of Assassins, The Walking Drum is a powerful adventure in an ancient world that you will find every bit as riveting as Louis L’Amour’s stories of the American West.

Public Domain (P)2010 Random House

What listeners say about The Walking Drum

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,626
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Story
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite books

What made the experience of listening to The Walking Drum the most enjoyable?

This book gave a great glance at the 13th century. It is a long book that moves rapidly between settings with lots of action. Not a slow moment in the book. It was interesting how L'Amour revealed the terminology that began then, the medical practices of the time, and what many progressive thinkers of the time had discovered

What three words best describe John Curless’s performance?

Occasionally too low. An absolute perfect choice of narrator for such a great book. The problem is that many of us listen to books while traveling in a car. At times for the drama of the moment the narrator speaks in a whisper. No way can we pick up what he says and it is usually at a crucial time of the book. Other very good narrators have this flaw. If you are listening in your library or bedroom at home it is great but on the road it is too much work on our part to hear. Just say the words so that we can hear them. Except for this one flaw, I would have given the performance a 5.

Any additional comments?

The book moves rapidly between settings and you must focus on the names of the characters and where they belong in the story. My wife and I read this and listened to it together on a long trip. Except for the narrator whispering at times it was a wonderful experience.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the history

If you could sum up The Walking Drum in three words, what would they be?

I thoroughly enjoyed the history mentioned and the great story involved. I highly recommend this one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Nathan S.

This book read by John Curless was the most captivating and riveting book. Full of adventure, suspenseful and poetic. Absolutely thrilling...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

incredible book!

One of the best ive listened to. An adventure like no other! Makes me want to live my own adventure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A new favorite

Was recommended this book by a friend, and I love it. Beautifully written, compelling story, wonderful characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of his best

this is a really good book and i definitely recommend. just know it's a little slow and at points in the book there is sub-storys that may be good but they do not contribute to the overall main story. but I would definitely recommend you give this one a try. it's not a western but it's still awesome

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What an adventure!

Didn’t know this author. Louis L’Amour is known for his Westerns which is why I never read anything by him before. This is not a western! It’s a great adventure, very well written. Too bad most of his books are westerns or I’d read everything he wrote!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great storytelling, great narrator

I love Louis Lamour's storytelling, always a great adventure. John Curless did a phenomenal performance narrating The Walking Drum. Outstanding combination!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent reading. Good story.

Enjoyed the history, time and place setting.. Not my favorite book but great writing by the Author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best yet!!

One of Louis’s best books yet. Love the history and I feel like I learned a ton as we navigated the story!!

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