Chapters 27 and 28 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 27, during his wandering days, L'Amour encountered a young Moslem in Sumatra who recommended that he read the "Malay Annals" which would provide him with a historical perspective of the region. He sat with the young man and discussed various topics for an entire afternoon. L'Amour learned a lot about the history of martial arts from culture to culture. He also gained knowledge on the impact of Buddhist monks who traveled to India; and, the missionary efforts of the Dharmagupta from India to China. L'Amour always found the exchange of ideas from culture to culture stimulating.

In Chapter 28, man has left behind such things as the pyramids, the great walls and beautiful temples. But the most important legacy of man is the books that have been written to record the progress of man. Everything written is, at some...