I really liked this book but I can see how it's really not for everyone. I don't usually venture into the historical fiction genre, but when I saw this book at the library I had to pick it up. I've been wanting to read an Elmore Leonard book for quite a while now, and this is a good one to get me started with this author.The Moonshine War is a historical fiction piece set in 1930's Kentucky during prohibition. Immediately you get a terrific sense of presence, as the author sets up a whiskey raid in the back hills and hollows of rural Kentucky. Part of what I loved about this book is the unapologetic viewpoints and characters. There's no attempt to make the delicate reader LIKE these people. It simply tells a great story and let's you decide. It's a book written by a man, about southern men, doing backwoods hick men things. If that's not in your wheelhouse, then give this one a pass.The Good: Great dialogue, great cast of villains - nearly all of the usual types are represented, from the simple thug, to the manipulative mastermind - good pace, perfect length, nice action, decent suspense, believable premise and plot from beginning to end.The Bad: Abrupt end, protagonist isn't proactive, reading this book makes you want to reach for the whiskey bottle just for a snort to relate.This book didn't get the fifth star for two reasons. One, the abrupt end kind of left me cold. I understand it, I just would have liked to know how some of the character issues were resolved once the book was past its climax. Two, I'm not a huge fan of protagonists that let the action happen to them. Son Martin did very little to try and resolve the situation before it reached the boiling point, and while that was his character's nature, it made me want to wring his neck at times. The highlight of the book for me was the interaction of the trio of villains, Frank Long, Dr. Taulbee and Dual Metters.I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever lived in rural America, and anyone who is a fan of historical fiction. If you're a fan of prohibition era fiction and/or moonshine/whiskey then read this book!
Bootlegger Son Martin has 150 barrels of whiskey his dad made stashed away somewhere and his old war buddy, Frank Long, now a crooked prohibition agent, has his sights set on them. Will Son cave in under the pressure and hand over the whiskey or will he put Long and his cronies into the ground?Reading an Elmore Leonard book is like bullshitting with an old friend on their front porch. In this case, it would be whiskey we'd be drinking instead of a couple frosty beers. Rural Kentucky in the 1930's is far from Elmore Leonard's usual haunts but after watching several seasons of Justified, I figured he could handle it. I was right.The Moonshine War plays out like a lot of Elmore Leonard books. The promise of violence keeps building until the glorious shitstorm at the end. Frank Long trying to strongarm Son Martin out of his valuable whiskey is more of the same. It went a little differently than I thought it would near the end, which is always a plus for me. The country dialog is very well done and drives the plot forward. Like in most Leonard books, Son Martin is just a little slicker than Frank Long and the others. Son reminds me of Raylan Givens a bit of Raylan was running moonshine instead of being a US Marshall. He's a conflicted character, his young wife dying from the flu while he was in the army leaving him somewhat directionless. He's got a bit of that Givens inner rage going as well. When his neighbors started turning on him when he wouldn't roll over for Long and the others, I knew the violence was coming. The Moonshine War actually feels like a western more than anything else.Any gripes? Not a one besides wanting to read more about Son Martin. 3.5 stars.
What do You think about The Moonshine War (1985)?
Interesting to watch Leonard create in the gap between the old west and the new west of dangerous American cities. The thought occurs that crime is crime whether it be in a lawless land or a corrupt, Bureaucratic one; so exploring a country of moonshine and stills in forest creeks fits the formula. Lets extol the virtues of the word "formula". Leonard writes on rails because he never loses faith or patience with the infinite variation of ordinary people. The only difference between this book and the later City Primeval formula is that this is a war, a lopsided one I'd concede. It makes for a more action adventure type of story which would be more connective with the horse opera of the past; big shoot outs and protecting the homestead. Again there is a formula to the characters; not least stoic protagonist Son Martin. Not the point. There are natural variations which manifest as unique personality simply because Dutch is so precise in his description of a person's actions and dialogue. When a guy makes a move crossing lines of allegiance or a woman turns out not to be so stalwart in her loyalties probably because she just can't handle the pressure and threat to life; these are titanic shifts because we are looking so closely at those involved. It's just delightful to see Leonard pour love of entertaining his readers onto the page. His admiration for people who can keep their mouths shut, act decisively, tell the difference between bravery and foolhardiness, is apparent and admirable in itself.
—PinkieBrown
If this book is anything, it is certainly entertaining, and reading for the pure enjoyment of a story is something that every reader should do from time-to-time. While I seem to be obsessed with searching out that next morsel of wisdom or insight from my next book, I also need to remember that I would not be the book-geek that I am today if it were not for John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee series and the enjoyment that I drew from those mystery novels.But there is more here for readers that are indeed looking for that next morsel of wisdom or insight. Our country is a diverse place that is comprised of many geographical locations and each of these regions has its own distinct culture. In visiting these places we may be amazed by the food, but eating green chili in New Mexico is only a clue to the deeper feelings and mannerisms of those that actually live there. The same must be true for the South.The Moonshine War illustrates aspects of Southern culture. For those that view the South from afar, like me, the story highlights an approach to life that finds enjoyment in the smallest of things. Things like family, neighbors, serenity, and moonshine take precedence over things like Facebook, ‘those people next door,’ happy hour, and Chivas Regal Scotch. It’s the depiction of this way of life that makes me wonder if more of life can be enjoyed in the absence of everything else that is desired by other cultures in other regions, and contemplation is the mark of a good story.
—Daniel Villines
The Moonshine War is the story of Son Martin a Prohibition Era bootlegger in rural Kentucky. Son's father hid over $100,000 of top grade moonshine. Now Frank Long, an old army buddy of Martin's is looking for it. Long is now a prohibition agent and wants the whiskey for himself. Long brings in some bootleggers to help him and things get hot.This book was published in 1969, but like all great books, still holds up to repeated readings. This has Leonard's classic style. Heavy emphasis on dialogue, interesting characters, and sudden explosions of violence.I listened to this as an audiobook. Mark Hammer gave a wonderful reading of the text. His voice captures the sound of the hills and the rhythm of Leonard's prose.
—David Williams
