When you think of life in the Wild West, there’s a good chance the image that comes to mind has been lifted from a Louis L’Amour book.
During his life, L’Amour was one of America’s most popular writers, and his Wild West books are classics of the genre.
Louis L’Amour published a huge amount of books, often writing two or three in just one year.
Many of his books were adapted for the screen and made into films and shows starring some of the biggest stars of the day.
If you want to start reading Louis L’Amour, you have plenty of books to choose from!
Don’t worry too much about reading order — nearly all of L’Amour’s books work as standalone stories. Just grab what you can, and get reading.
About Louis L’Amour
Louis L’Amour is best known for his works set in the American West. He started writing young, publishing short stories, poetry, and even non-fiction, before becoming a prolific and popular novel writer.
L’Amour set most of his books in the Old West, with characters navigating the dangers of frontier life.
His characters were brave and daring, but often with dark secrets in their past. They stood up for what was theirs and protected the people around them, even if they had to put themselves at risk.
Louis L’Amour Hopalong Cassidy Books In Order
Louis L’Amour helped revitalize the Hopalong Cassidy character.
The Rustlers Of West Fork
Hopalong Cassidy heads after the ruthless Avery Sparr and his gang of outlaws.
The Trail Of Seven Pines
Hopalong searches for the castle rustlers but becomes a target himself.
The Riders Of High Rock
Rustler Jack Bolt is about to learn Cassidy isn’t a man to mess with.
Trouble Shooter
A message from the dead, $60,000 of gold, and a bloody trail. What is Hopalong about to face?
Louis L’Amour Sacketts Books In Order
This isn’t the publication order of the Sackett books, but the chronological timeline of the family.
Sackett’s Land
Barnabas Sackett searches for the deadly secrets of his father’s legacy.
To The Far Blue Mountains
After being accused of stealing treasure, Barnabas is hunted by English soldiers.
The Warrior’s Path
Yann Sackett races to save the life of his sister in the West Indies.
Jubal Sackett
An impossible quest into the endless plains shows Jubal Sackett a life to die for.
Ride The River
Echo Sackett has a healthy inheritance, but a crooked lawyer proves a dangerous foe.
The Daybreakers
Born into a lawless land, the Sackett brothers fight to create a peaceful life for their families.
Lando
After three years spent falsely imprisoned, Lando returns to a world he doesn’t recognize.
Sackett
A rich vein of gold signals opportunity for Tell Sackett, but it also spells trouble.
Mojave Crossing
It’s a perilous road to Los Angeles, but what awaits Tell at the end might be even worse.
The Sackett Brand
Ambushed and injured, Tell seeks the men who attacked him and took his wife.
The Sky-Liners
An enticing woman puts brother Fagan and Galloway in the crosshairs of a notorious gunman.
The Lonely Men
Tell journeys to Sierra Madres to save his nephew. But is the real danger closer to home?
Mustang Man
Penelope Hume knows the location of buried gold. Can Nolan Sackett get her to it safely?
Galloway
The Sacketts establish a ranch, but the Dunn clan wants the land for themselves.
Treasure Mountain
The search for their missing father drives Orin and Tell along a trail of danger.
Ride The Dark Trail
Logan Sackett might be a wildcard, but the power of family runs through his veins.
Lonely On The Mountain
The Sacketts are forced to come together to take a stand and save their kin.
Louis L’Amour Kilkenny Books In Order
A short series, you can read the Kilkenny books in any order.
The Rider Of Lost Creek
Lance Kilkenny has never abandoned a debt, but in Live Oak country, keeping a promise proves dangerous.
The Mountain Valley War
Trent has a difficult decision: save his community, or save his own life?
Kilkenny
Trying to shake a bad reputation, Kilkenny heads to Utah. But reputations have a way of hanging around.
Louis L’Amour Chantry Books In Order
The Chantry and Talon series are often combined as one.
Fair Blows The Wind
After a life of hardship, Tatton Chantry seems set to have it all. But not without some showdowns first.
The Ferguson Rifle
There’s gold in the hills, and Ronan Chantry must risk everything to get it.
Over On The Dry Side
An omen provides a warning to Doby Kernohen — settle here at your own risk.
Borden Chantry
Borden isn’t afraid to protect what’s his, even if it means facing a dangerous gunslinger.
North To The Rails
Branded a coward, no one trusts Tom Chantry as a leader. It might prove deadly.
Louis L’Amour Talon Books In Order
The Talon and Chantry series are often combined as one.
Rivers West
Jean Talon has accidentally uncovered a conspiracy. Can he stop it — and save the American frontier?
The Man From The Broken Hills
A revenge quest takes a turn when Milo Talon finds himself defending the man he swore to kill.
Milo Talon
Hired to track a missing girl, Milo discovers there’s more to the hunt than he realized.
Louis L’Amour Standalone Novels In Order
We’ve listed them chronologically, but you can enjoy Louis L’Amour’s standalone books in any order.
Westward The Tide
A good man amongst evil, Matt Bardoul is tasked with the safety of innocents.
Hondo
A pioneer, a gunman, and a warrior come together in a fight for love, honor, and land.
Shadow At Yellow Butte
Tom Kedrick thought he was doing good, but has he made a deadly mistake?
Crossfire Trail
Rafe Cardec has a promise to keep, and nothing will stop him from honoring his word.
Utah Blaine
Utah Blaine has saved a life, but one good deed can lead to a world of trouble.
Heller With A Gun
Tom Healy needs to transport his troupe to Montana — but what else does the wagon hold?
Guns Of The Timberlands
A tussle over a cattle ranch proves to be a deadly game.
Silver Canyon
There’s a secret at Hattan’s Point. Can Matt Brennan solve it before it gets him?
The Burning Hills
Trace Jordan has a choice. The desert, the Apaches, or a showdown with the Suttons?
Sitka
Alaska is a delicious reward. But will it fall to the Americans or the Russians?
Last Stand At Papago Wells
Water means survival, but at Papago Wells, it’s also a terrible risk.
The Tall Stranger
A dazzling stranger promises a better route West. Or is he leading everyone into danger?
Taggart
Adam Stark thought Apaches were his biggest threat, but a charming stranger proves a cunning adversary.
Radigan
Angeline Foley is beautiful but cunning. Can Tom Radigan hold his own?
Flint
Flint thought he’d left his past behind him until an encounter with a swindler brings it back.
High Lonesome
Revenge or redemption? Whatever Considine chooses, it might be the last thing he does.
Killoe
Killoe offered guidance to new settlers. But he soon finds some people aren’t worth helping.
Shalako
Shalako is a guy that does things alone until a beautiful woman needs protection from the Apache.
How The West Was Won
The West presents a unique abundance. The path to get there puts everyone to the test.
Dark Canyon
A false accusation sees Gaylord Riley on the hook for murder. Can he evade the hangman?
Kiowa Trail
Kate Lundy has sworn revenge, but sometimes getting even isn’t worth the sacrifices along the way.
Hanging Woman Creek
Pike and Holt didn’t ask for trouble, but when it comes, they can’t turn their backs on it.
The Key-Lock Man
Oskar Neeland wasn’t a man who let things go easily. Grudges or women, he held on.
The High Graders
A death and a conspiracy — can Mike Shelvin figure out the mystery that threatens his life?
The Broken Gun
Sheridan wanted to write about the dangers of the Wild West. Now he’s living through them.
Kid Rodelo
Joe Harbin has gold to move — fast! The heat and the Indians won’t stand in his way.
Kilrone
Two French soldiers exiled to the American West fight to protect a dangerous territory.
Matagorda
It will end with a fight for somebody, but will Tap Duvarney face his enemies or his friends?
Down The Long Hills
The Old West is no place for children alone, as seven-year-old Hardy will discover.
Chancy
All Chancy did was grab a gun. Now he’s in jail for a murder he didn’t commit.
Brionne
Old grudges turn deadly for Major James Brionne and his family.
The Man Called Noon
Lost memories are no excuse when there are gunslingers on your trail.
The Empty Land
Confusion has only been a town for six days, but the seventh could prove disastrous.
Conagher
It’s hard to live alone in the plains. But that doesn’t mean companionship is easier.
Fallon
Macon Fallon was after a quick fortune, but the town of Red Horse has other plans in mind.
Reilly’s Luck
When Will Reilly’s luck runs out, it’s up to Val Darrant to find out what happened.
Under The Sweetwater Rim
Only one wagon has survived a horrific attack — and it’s gone missing.
Tucker
Shell Tucker has to get what’s rightly his. After all, his dying father had challenged him.
Callaghen
Ready to leave the army for good, Callaghen finds himself caught in a different war.
The Man From Skibbereen
A touch on a telegraph key leads Crispin Mayo into a fight against the government.
The Quick And The Dead
Who is the real danger for McKaskel? The bandits outside, or the stranger that saved his life?
The Californios
There’s a rumor of gold in the hills. Can Sean find it and save his family?
Where The Long Grass Blows
Bill Canavan senses there’s something wrong in the valley. Can he stop the conspiracy?
Bendigo Shafter
Bendingo became a man in the mountains. What awaits him in the city?
The Iron Marshall
Street smarts kept Tom Shanaghy alive in New York, but Kansas is a different prospect.
The Proving Trail
Kearney McRaven knows there’s more to his father’s death than they’re telling him.
Comstock Lode
Everyone comes to Comstock for the silver. Can Val and Grita find more in the mountains?
The Cherokee Trail
Mary Breydan can look after herself — even against the man who murdered her husband.
The Shadow Riders
Mac and Dal thought they’d left the war behind, but they’ll always fight for what’s theirs.
The Lonesome Gods
Life seems good for Johannes Verne, but the eyes of his vengeful grandfather still haunt him.
Son Of A Wanted Man
An aging outlaw king must prepare for one final battle.
The Walking Drum
A historical adventure, charting the life of the warrior Kerbouchard.
Passin’ Through
A safe haven might have more danger than expected for a man just planning on passin’ through.
Last Of The Breed
Joe Mack has Sioux blood. He must call on his ancestors to survive the Siberian wilderness.
The Haunted Mesa
It’s known as the Anasazi, and it haunts abandoned places. Can Mike Raglan survive a brush with mystery?
Final Thoughts
The works of Louis L’Amour explore the world of the Wild West. They’re packed full of danger, deceit, and daring women, with protagonists who are always willing to fight for what they believe in.
There’s hardly a moment to catch your breath before the next threat arrives. Villains lurk around every corner, and as soon as you find someone you trust, prepare for betrayal.
Thanks to the pace of the plot, you can get sucked right into a Louis L’Amour adventure.
Even his longest novels often make for quick reads because you just can’t put them down. But if you are looking for a brief jaunt, he was also a prolific short story writer.
You can read Louis L’Amour books in any order. Even his series’ set around a family don’t need to be enjoyed chronologically., Instead, find whatever plot catches your eye, and prepare for life on the plains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Louis L’Amour Book Should I Read First?
For a classic Louis L’Amour adventure, start with Hondo, or another standalone book. Otherwise, try the Hopalong Cassidy series. It’s relatively brief, but lots of fun.
Do You Need To Read Louis L’Amour Books In Order?
No, you can dip into Louis L’Amour books in any order, even the books that focus on one family or character.
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