Editorial Review

Pendleton Round-Up At 100 is a full-color celebration of the first one hundred years of this classic rodeo. Over five years were spent in researching and writing Pendleton Round-Up At 100, to give full justice to its rich and uniquely American history; its importance to cowboys and Indians; and its enduring appeal in Oregon, the West, and the world of rodeo. Illustrated with over 900 photos and illustrations that are drawn from historic collections and family archives, most previously unpublished.

The book's 24 chapters tell the stories of the Round-Up's founding and early years, its discovery by Hollywood, Indian participation from the Round-Up's establishment, the cowgirls' era, legendary performers, the families and volunteer spirit that sustain the annual event and much more. Appendices include complete listings of Round-up winners, Round-Up and Happy Canyon courts, Round-Up presidents, Round-Up Indian chiefs and Round-Up Hall of Fame honorees.

Unique among all rodeos, Pendleton included participants from surrounding Native American tribes--Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla--in its first year, and every year since. Roberta Conner, head of the Tamastslikt cultural institute, contributes to this volume an important summary of the changing relationship between the tribes and the event.

The 1911 Round-Up was the setting for the legendary showdown between black cowboy, George Fletcher; Indian cowboy Jackson Sundown; and white cowboy John Spain, all competing for the prize saddle. Known as "The Last Go Round" and still controversial, it was the subject of Ken Kesey's final 1994 novel. Hollywood discovered champions such as Yakima Canutt and Mabel Strickland and made them stunt-riders and even stars of silent films. In fact, cowgirls were as important as cowboys in the early years, despite the dangers; it took the tragic death of champion Bonnie McCarroll in Pendleton's ring in 1929 to end the era of female competitors. However, horsewomen continue to participate as champion riders. ... Read more

Reviews

A must read for rodeo fans, July 12, 2009
With all the intensity of a bronc bustng out of a chute, this remarkable archive of 100 years of the Pendleton rodeo reads like a history of the West itself--cowboys, Indians, showmen, politicans, cowgirls, and legendary celebrities. Beautifully conceived and well designed, it's pleasurable reading chock-full of some of the most amazing photographs ever combined, many never before seen in rodeo annals. Text by Bales and Hill is smooth and easy to read. In all, this is a book for any Westerner's library and the perfect place to start for anyone who loves rodeo anywhere.

Let 'er buck!, July 18, 2009
Pendleton Round-Up at 100: Oregon's Legendary Rodeo

This is far and away the most comprehensive rodeo book I've ever seen -- one that will be on my coffee table or in my library for years to come.
No rock along the Oregon trail side is left unturned as the researchers tirelessly uncover facts, figures, quotes, and at times a few hilarious tidbits -- such as information about one crusty cowgirl that wore diamonds in her front teeth that she'd hock if she needed entry fees. The historic photographs are priceless, showing the times before bucking chutes when cowboys mounted the broncs in center of the arena, and when women competed in split skirts. The tightly braided nature of the Pendleton Round Up is also illustrated in prose and photo, with considerable space given to the Native American participation from the very beginning, as well as black and white.
A lot can happen in a nation and in the world of rodeo in 100 years. I enjoyed the ride with Bales and Hill as they compiled a century of rodeo into one delightful book that kept me spellbound from beginning to end.

Wonderful rodeo coverage, July 13, 2009
As someone who grew up in Pendleton watching and experiencing the Round Up, the Pendleton Round Up at 100 captures its essence. The photographs and narrative are tops! A great trip down memory lane for me but a wealth of information for anyone who has never attended the Round Up.

A Special Trip of Memories, July 13, 2009
After years of watching the Round-up and enjoying the excitement of the overall event, we haven't been back in recent years. Anyone who cares for the rodeo experience, and Pendleton in particular, will find every bit as much excitement in this collection of memorabilia as we did! Our other "coffee table" books will have to take a back seat! The stories and photos and the overall composition are superb!

Pendleton Roundup at 100 is Amazing!!, August 2, 2009
Talk about a walk down memory lane, "Pendleton Roundup at 100" is the best! Having been to the roundup and its attendant "festivities", we felt like we were front row center in the middle of the event. And, though we thought that we were well versed in the history of the Roundup, we soon realized that attendance at the event was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Wonderful illustrations, the history of the area and the Pendelton Roundup, snippets of little known facts, and a revealing overview of the differences while, at the same time, the similarities between the cowboys and the indians.

Journalism at its finest, Hill and Bales have done justice to this historical journey through the past. A "must read" for all that appreciate the sport of rodeo and the multi-faceted history of Eastern Oregon.

Congratulations, and "Let'er Buck"!!

Hap and Martha McGill
Greenbrae, California

Pendleton Round-Up History, October 16, 2009
Pendleton Round-Up history comes to life with vintage photos. Cowboy and cowgirl stories tell of the glory days as well as the hardships. From the early days to modern times, the second week in September is the Round-Up time complete with Native Americans. 2010 is the 100 year celebration. "Let 'er Buck!"

FANTASTIC HISTORY OF THE GREATEST RODEO, March 15, 2010
This is a gorgeous book full of Pendleton Round-Up history in pictures and words. Everything you could have ever wanted to know about rodeo and the people that have and do participate in them. A feast for the those that love the history of the American West. You will look at and read this book over and over!
On another note . . . It took Amazon three shipments to get this book to me as the first two were damaged in shipping. Even the third book had some faint scrape marks on the cover due to the book sliding inside the box with no protection. Amazon is not packing and shipping this book properly, and it is too big and heavy to be unwrapped in a carboard box with some air bags sitting on top of it, not even wrapped around the book.

Recommended not just for Oregon history collections but for any library interested in American West history and culture, February 21, 2010
Pendleton Round-Up at 100: Oregon's Legendary Rodeo moves beyond historical non-fiction and reads like a novel as it provides a history of a rodeo that began in 1910 and shaped a community. Lavish photos and history will attract any rodeo fan or rural library collection, and makes for an outstanding survey recommended not just for Oregon history collections but for any library interested in American West history and culture.

Hard to find book!, January 18, 2010
My local bookstore said this book was out of print and couldn't get a copy for me. Many thanks to Amazon for having it and even sending it quicker than they said they would. It came in plenty of time for Christmas for my mother-in-law who lived in Pendleton and knows some people in the book!

A collector's book for fans of the American West, December 27, 2009
The authors have done themselves proud. A collector's book and beautifully designed, PENDLETON ROUND-UP AT 100 preserves a cultural icon of the American West.
-William L. McGee, Author "The Divorce Seekers: A Photo Memoir of a Nevada Dude Wrangler" ... Read more

Editorial Review

This is not a rodeo. They don't rope calves or chase barrels. This is bull riding, and the first rule is to just stay alive. It's one man, one bull, and eight precious seconds.

This book is your ticket to the action. All of the blood, sweat, and dirt is here in a full-color collection of breathtaking, action-packed photographs from the Professional Bull Riders.

The PBR is one of the fastest-growing sports in history, boasting multimillion-dollar purses for its athletes and more than 100 million television viewers in 70 countries across the globe. That's no small feat when you consider that less than two decades ago the PBR was nothing more than a dream shared by 20 cowboys.

Longtime fans of the sport will get a behind-the-chutes look at their favorite riders and bulls. All the greats are here, from Adriano Moraes, Justin McBride, and Chris Shivers to Little Yellow Jacket and Mossy Oak Mudslinger.

Newcomers will get a clear and concise introduction to the sport--its origins, the rules of competition, and what it takes to become a champion--and an overview of the Western way of life.

This collection of lavish photographs is a visual treat for anyone interested in the world's toughest sport. ... Read more

Reviews

THE NEXT 10 YEARS, November 20, 2009
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP ON THE PREVIOUS PBR BOOK: RING OF FIRE, THE GUTS AND GLORY OF THE PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS TOUR. BY KENDRA SANTOS.
THE TIME BETWEEN THE TWO HAS BEEN TOO LONG. THE AUTHORS HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF COLLECTING PHOTOS AND STORIES OF THE PBR. IT'S HISTORY AND STORIES ARE WHAT MAKE UP THE PBR. THERE ARE PHOTOS CAPTURING HEATBREAKING AND THRILLING MOMENTS.
THE STORIES WILL EXCITE THE FANS AND LEAVING THEM TO WANT MORE.
IT IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THE PBR LIBRARY AND FOR THE TRUE FAN. DON'T MISS IT.
... Read more

Editorial Review

From its roots in cowboy and vaquero culture to the big-business excitement of today s National Finals competitions, rodeo has embodied the rugged individual-ism and competitive spirit of the American West. Now the long trajectory of rodeo culture comes fully alive in Arena Legacy. Showcasing the unrivaled collections of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, this lavishly illustrated volume is the first to depict rodeo s material and graphic heritage.

Richard Rattenbury opens Arena Legacy with an engaging and richly illustrated history of rodeo, from its first recorded competition in Colorado in 1869, to its role in county fairs, cattlemen s conventions, and old settlers reunions across the West, to its rise to national prominence between 1920 and 1960.

Following its historical overview, Arena Legacy features an extensive pictorial gallery of signature materials. A series of colorful portfolios reveals treasured artifacts from rodeo life, including costumes, trophies, buckles, and riding equipment. Here the reader will discover lavish artistry in leather and silver, flamboyant expression in western dress, and the interpretive work of both fine artists and commercial illustrators.

Certain to delight a diverse audience of rodeo aficionados, participants, collectors, and historians, this stunning volume is a fitting tribute to America s truly western sport. ... Read more

Reviews

Every barrel racer should read this one..., January 4, 2007
Great book....covers everything for horse and rider and from beginner to experienced person........good buy.....

Entertaining as it is informative and highly recommended, November 4, 2006
Barrel racing is one of the equestrian sports which lends to an exciting competition both for spectator and competitor, but few books cover barrel racing. Instructor and champion racer Marlene McRae has developed an entire program for the barrel racer and shares her arena tips for this audience; from selecting a champion barrel-racing horse to using equipment, beginning barrel racing patterns, and competing. A 'must' for all equestrian sports enthusiasts, Barrel Racing 101is as entertaining as it is informative and highly recommended for school and community library Sports & Athletics collections. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Rodeo superstar Casey Tibbs lives again in Rusty Richards' authorized biography of the memorable, charismatic cowboy from South Dakota. Movingly written, Richards spent over twenty years meticulously researching, interviewing, and capturing vibrant memories and recollections of the six-time world champion saddle bronc rider. Born in a log home in the wilds of South Dakota, the youngest of ten children, Tibbs grew to be the most well-known, popular rodeo star of all time.Richards' biography is all-inclusive and also covers the Roberts family, including rodeo greats Ken, Gerald, and E.C. Roberts, along with Jim Shoulders, Deb Copenhaver, Carl Olson, Ben Johnson, Gene Pruett, Bill Linderman and so many more. In addition, Richards recounts Casey's phenomenal success in Hollywood and his friendship with Audie Murphy, his Las Vegas associations, and his world tours promoting rodeo and the Wild West. Richards does not gloss over Casey's battles with alcohol and gambling addictions, either.This is a biography that inspires, amuses, saddens, and gives real meaning to determination and grit. Casey Tibbs deserves to have his story told, and Rusty Richards has done an excellent job of doing so. ... Read more

Reviews

Exceptional, September 8, 2010
I have to be honest, growing up in the outskirts of New York City left me pretty dumb when it came to any one with the talents of the man I was to met in this book. I was not one who went to rodeo's or followed anything of that sort, nor did I know the depth of such people, their lifestyles or what wa required of them. The life story of Casey Tibbs, as told by Rusty Richards was quite an interesting read and an eye-opener for me in this area.
Inside the pages of this book I met the man, who was a true American Legend and learned much about a world I never knew before..

We are taken back to his small beginnings, his family and the tragedies and battles he endured and overcame. Casey knew from a young boy what he wanted out of life, but soon found it did not match what his father wanted him to have. He would have some tough decisions to make for his future and the road would often be a lonely one. However, he was determined and his face set as stone knowing full well what he wanted out of life, and ready to work to achieving that goal.

We are privileged to read stories of his travels, his adventures and his personal life,both victories and failures. Some were humorous, others heart-felt, but each giving you needed insight into the life of this legend of a man. I am convinced that no one knew horses or understood the world that they were the stars in more than this man. From roundups to winning awards and insight into the very heart and soul of Casey Tibbs, this book has it all.
I am honored that now I have a knowledge of a great American Legend that I will not soon forget.

For all who love a slice of the true west, a big bite of rodeo history and just a downright great story about one exceptional man, you will love this book. Very well done, recommended.
... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A mixed bag, March 8, 2006
There is a lot of interesting information about how the PBR works, from choosing the bulls to how the riders get paid. It makes good background reading if you enjoy watching the PBR. However, his stories about the people involved came off like gossip tidbits rearranged and stuck together. Not untrue necessarily, but seriously manipulated. If you want general info and great atmosphere, this has it, but I wouldn't believe eveything you read.

Bull Riding Fan Or Not - You'll Love "Fried Twinkies...", October 22, 2005
I LOVED the book. Not knowing (or caring) anything about bull riding, I was not expecting to get into it, but I did. Folks outside "the sport" should know what an interesting and fun read "Fried Twinkies..." is. I really developed a love for the riders and I was rooting for them. I wanted Moraes to get his third buckle but Lee was so deep and introspective, I was not surprised at how far he went. I couldn't wait for the end!! I was truly transported into a world I knew nothing about and it was really a full picture. I expected the cussing, drinking, etc., but the Cowboy Church, political/business takeover of the tour and even the story from the breeders and bulls POV had oh so much drama -- showing again how once someone or a group of someones finds a passion, it drives individuals and creates industry. Plus the search for the deep fried Twinkies at the concession stands was a hoot!!

What a great book!!!, November 4, 2005
While watching the PBR finals this year, I saw Josh Peter promoting his new book Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders: A Year Inside the Professional Bull Riders Tour. He said he had written about the 2003/2004 PBR season. Every fan knows that was a big season. It was the first year the PBR put up a $1,000,000 bonus for the world champion but they had changed the points system and all of a sudden Tuff disappeared. During the interview, Josh Peter also noted his behind the chute stories about the lives of riders like Justin McBride and Mike Lee (the most reclusive person in the PBR). The following day I bought the book.

If you are a PBR fan and are curious about what happened or would like to know more about your favorite rider ... buy the book! If you are not a fan but are interested in great nonfiction reading ... buy the book!! Either way, it's entertaining and immerses the reader into the colorful culture of bull riding. I have to say it is one of the best books I have read all year. Honestly, I can't wait for the sequel.

Must Read For Any PBR Fan!, October 13, 2005
Having been a fan of the Professional Bullriders for 6 years, nothing has given me more insight as to a behind the scenes look into the goings-on in The PBR than Josh's book! And he does it in a way that doesn't play into the hand of any one athlete or personality. And, of course, the biggest story in The PBR last year was Tuff Hedeman distancing himself from the organization. Why? This book tells you. A trip to Brazil to the home of Adriano Moraes, a seat at the PBR board meetings,why Mike Lee really got married and so much more are all in Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies and Bull Riders. Josh Peter has the ability to translate the details that PBR fans will become rabid to read about. This book is mandatory reading for any and all PBR Fans!

The business of bull riding . . ., August 14, 2007
The one thing wrong with this book is the title. It's strictly about pro bull riders and the multimillion-dollar business that has raised bullriding from a feature rodeo event to a cross between NASCAR and the WWF. You'll learn little about fried Twinkies, buckle bunnies, and whatever they're supposed to represent.

Sports writer Josh Peter follows the 2004 PBR tour that crisscrosses the U.S. and ends with the finals in Las Vegas, drumming up excitement and suspense as he goes. He brings to life the widely divergent personalities of the riders, ranging from seasoned champion and family-man Adriano Moraes and the stereotypical drinking, cussing Justin McBride, to the withdrawn, almost spookily religious Mike Lee. Among them are a diversity of others, including rookies, old-timers hoping for a comeback, and competitors from countries as far away as Australia and Brazil. We learn that one out of 15 rides results in injuries requiring treatment, and much time is spent in the sports medicine room.

Meanwhile, we follow the drama of big business as differences between the men who run this show create a number of conflicts that lead to firings and the threat of a boycott by riders who feel they are being under-appreciated by their employers. Peter's revelation of these behind-the-scenes maneuvers will enlighten fans familiar only with the glitz and glamour of the sport and the men who are its stars. We learn about the stock growers and investors who raise, train, buy, and sell bulls. There's even a side trip to Brazil, where we visit the ranch Moraes has bought with his winnings. Readers will also enjoy the DVD "Rank," which is a compelling record of the 2004 season finals, focusing on Moraes, McBride, and Lee.

I'm biased, December 26, 2006
OK, I must admit right off that I am a friend of the author's. He's a nice guy. More importantly, he's a good writer. I was deeply moved by some parts of this book, and that was before I met Josh.

I suspect the high ratings for this book might be because PBR fans tend to be awfully enthusiastic about the sport. If you are not a PBR fan but are curious, check it out.

Welcome to Realville, PBR style!, November 19, 2005
Very accurate and entertaining. A behind the scenes glimpse of the world of Professional Bull Riding. A must have for any fan or member of the traveling, three ring circus we know as the PBR. For the first time, the reader gets a trip through REALVILLE. PBR style!

Everything PBR, July 31, 2006
As an avid PBR fan, I greedily tore through the pages of Fried Twinkies. This book answered all of my questions about bull riding and provided information that I didn't know to ask about. Anyone who enjoys the marvelous sport of bull riding must purchase and read this book.

Welcome to the Bible of Pro Bull Riding!, November 12, 2005
"Josh does a terrific job of getting underneath the Bull Riding circuit in a fashion that is so compelling and riveting that I can't stand to put this book down for a second!"

DINO COSTA, Talk Host
Radio Colorado Network
www.dinocosta.com

A Great Read for All!, November 9, 2005
Excellent read. I would recommend this book to anyone, fan or not. Josh does a wonderful job of capturing all of the elements of the PBR shows, and conveys the excitement of bullriding with great accuracy. You have got to read this book! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Harry Vold produced his first rodeo in 1944 when he joined his brothers to put on the Asker Stampede near the little community of Asker in southern Alberta, Canada. Today, the Harry Vold Rodeo Company is the premier producer of rodeos including Cheyenne Frontier Days and the National Finals Rodeo.

Harry has been named Stock Contractor of the Year eleven times by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and is a member of both the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in the US and the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Author Loren R. Whittemore worked closely with Harry to write an important segment of the history of rodeo. Through Harry s recollections and family memories, the author evokes the days when rodeo week was the highlight of the ranchers year and rodeo stock was driven on trails from town to town . ... Read more

Reviews

Duke of the Chutes, March 29, 2010
This was a book of great historical meaning concerning the evolution of rodeo and Harry Vold. It was a book I could not put down. It was easy reading and I enjoyed all the pictures. This is a must read for anyone who likes rodeo

Great Book if you know anything about Rodeo, March 8, 2010
This is just a great book if you have ever followed rodeo, i am only half way through the book. Harry Vold has done so much for rodeo, both sides of the border. I first met him as a teenager at a horse sale in saskatchewan, at one of Tiny Towes horse sales. My Dad Bernard Bouchard bought some of Harry's horse,s. Bernard originally owned the great bucking mare Sage Hen, we called her Easy MONEY.Bernard was an amateur stock contractor in southern Sask. Harry was just a terrific auctioner. He was always so professional, as a stock producer, rodeo manager, chute boss etc. He truly is a legend. I wish him well, also his whole family. Have followed their rodeo life for years.
June Ferguson( Bouchard)
Enderby, B.C. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Throwing Loops, August 19, 2009
An excellent book everyone interested in any kind of western horsemanship or roping. I love "how to" books like this, especially with such quality writing and pictures. There are many "tidbits" of information throughout. I definitely recommend this book!

rope trick, September 30, 2009
nice over view of the history of roping/cow hand work. though I only bought it because my western addled brain couldn't remember how to properly build and swing the rope. nice pictures, nice heavy book. Any one with a interest in the history of the west, this book would be good, because its a basic cowboy foundation and well, cowboys are part of the history of the west.
... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Brilliantly Captured, March 13, 2007
I had read a glowing review of Blacktop Cowboys that piqued my interest. Though my husband describes me as a neo-aristocratic fashionista, little did he know that up to the age of 11 I rode western saddle and particpated in, albeit very small, local rodeos. There is something about these men (and women) who capture a part of America that holds a seemingly romantic life. Hats off, literally, to Ty Phillips! He wrote a wonderful book on today's steer wrestlers. And thanks to the gentlemen who allowed Mr. Phillips into their life. Without their participation I don't know if Mr. Phillips could have written so honestly about them. Mr. Phillips does not romantize, per se, about the life, but is able to put one there, watching the milesigns go by, feel the dust in one's nose, and the frustration or joy of an event. Whether one has an interest in rodeos or cowboys, buy this book, you won't read anything better. Thank you Mr. Phillips for writing about a subject few of us will ever know as well,than through your words.

BLACKTOP COWBOYS, December 18, 2006
This book is not run-of-the-mill. It is unique. The book is a fascinating narrative of what took place over one year for one group of traveling cowboys. I don't think I have ever read a book before where I felt the author was a silent mouse in the corner and didn't miss a thing; words, actions or silence. The correlation of facts, action & the written word was dumbfounding. It was camaraderie, trashy talk and action mixed with gentle emotion. The picture of Luke with his girlfriend speaks volumes. The personae of rough cowboy/polite rancher are like the people I have known.

As for the actual writing, it is not often that a book is this perfectly edited and presented. The addition of pictures so we could actually keep track of names and people was extra special. I was impressed. Five Stars from me, Ty.

From Entertainment Weekly (10/26/2006), November 22, 2006
You reckon rodeoin' is beer, bruises, and "buckle bunnies" (the name for groupies). Well, you're right. But like the steer wrestlers Ty Phillips tailed during the 2004 season -- loud and proud fellas with nicknames like Fatty and Donkey -- he knows how to tell a good story. One 11-page scene of tokin', pokin' debauchery aside, the lasting images are the quiet ones. "Every minute or so, the distant headlights of a freeway car threw light on the lonesome silhouette of a cowboy walking his horse at night," Phillips writes. He captures the solitude and camaraderie in Blacktop Cowboys, which runs deeper than an unattended cooler of Coors Light: Competitors even share scouting reports on steers. Reviewed by Mandi Bierly. Grade: B+

Unbelievably real!, December 28, 2006
As a "semi-retired" part-time PRCA cowboy this book was a fantastic reflection of the fun and heartache I have felt on the rodeo trail. This book may be offensive to some, but the manner that Ty was able to capture the realism of traveling down the road is dead on. I have never read a book about this subject that accurately portrays the characters as this book has. Many of the people mentioned are my friends and acquaintances and they are all just trying to make a living in a very difficult and competitive manner. Ty has done an excellent job of giving the reader a true sense of why and how they do what they do without using any of the typical cowboy stereotypes that most writers cannot get away from. If you have any interest in this subject what so ever, this is a must read. Congratulations Ty on an excellent book!

Wow!!!, January 2, 2007
This is an awesome book. I picked it up on whim and haven't regretted it. It a blunt look at group of rodeo cowboys and their life on the road. There is nothing hidden, it's ALL WRITTEN.(EVERYTHING!). The good, the bad, and the hallarious. If you are easily offended don't read, but if you want a honest look into the life of these men you won't find one as detailed and open as this one. All my friend are wanting to steal it and read. Especially the hilarious chapter: Tyler Becomes A Sex Therapist (And when I say nothing is hidden I mean NOTHING). Great job and well written Ty Phillips. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Whether you're a seasoned cowhand or a greenhorn dreaming of taking that first big pack trip, Bunkhouse Built: A Guide to Making Your Own Cowboy Gear is the book for you. Chockful of hand-drawn illustrations and step-by-step directions, this handy how-to covers just about everything a cowboy needs to do the job and do it right.
Drawing on his own experience as a working cowboy as well as wisdom passed down from saddle-seasoned old-timers, Leif Videen covers the basics of outfitting yourself for traveling and working on a horse. With little more than a simple tool kit and some leather and rope, you ll be building all sorts of useful riding and personal gear, from headstalls and saddlebags to bedrolls and belt buckles. Learn how to picket your horse, pack a lead rope, tie a hitch on a load, and make a pair of leather chinks. Most importantly, feel the satisfaction of using gear you built yourself while stretching those hard-earned dollars.

With twenty practical projects, tips on making knots and working with leather, an illustrated glossary, and a little cowboy lore, Bunkhouse Built is perfect for anyone who has a horse or just a love for the cowboy lifestyle. ... Read more

Reviews

Bunkhouse Built...A+++, April 15, 2009
This book is filled with easy to follow picture instructions! A shopping list to get everything your going to need! A glossary in the back to help you understand "cowboy talk"! Im very impressed at how easy it is to follow the instruction, good clear hand drawn pictures by Leif make this book a lot of fun to learn the knots! Super great for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on there cowboy ways!

A Treasure of Hard-to-Find Tips on Making Gear, July 4, 2009
This quaintly illustrated book has gathered together a collection of hard-to-find, everyday tips on--as the title suggests--horse gear you can build yourself in the bunkhouse.

Some general information on working with leather is provided: Pointers on how to hand sew leather, the basics on lacing leather, setting a rivet, and how to finish leather edges to give them a "polished and professional" look are presented.

Tying basic knots--bowline knot, honda knot, back braid, turk's head, bleed knot, and square knot--are covered.

Using this basic knowledge, projects on building gear--for the cowboy and the horse--then fill the remainder of the book.

BUNKHOUSE BUILT is a friendly reference. It's like sitting down with the author, Leif Videen, and receiving one-on-one instructions. As you work through a project, his own first-hand, trial-and-error knowledge shines through. As a result, Leif gives you tips to steer you out of trouble and onto the correct path so things to turn out right!

A fun acquisition for any rural library, June 16, 2009
Any country-oriented person interested in making cowboy gear will find BUNKHOUSE BUILT a fine treasure trove of gear construction tips. Hand-drawn illustrations and step-by-step directions cover everything from building saddlebags and bedrolls to making an antler belt buckle or tying a knot for a headstall. A fun acquisition for any rural library.
... Read more

Editorial Review

In Rodeo Legends Gavin Ehringer presents the life and times of twenty of the sport of rodeo's greatest athletes, complete with hundreds of photos, many taken during competition. "Career Milestones" sidebars detail the achievements of each arena champion and include both historical and contemporary legendary rodeo figures. In his introduction Ehringer states: "I've tried to talk about their great arena accomplishments, for sure. But I also tried to talk about how they stumbled and fell, then picked themselves up and dusted themselves off." The stories are riveting and at times tear-jerking. Among the most extraordinary is the comeback of all-around champ Joe Beaver after a near-death and subsequent out-of-body experience from overdosing on drugs and alcohol; the sheer endurance of Bruce Ford and his three decades on broncs; and Larry Mahan's study of mental preparedness, his singing career, post-rodeo western-apparel businesses, and now his natural horsemanship and equine wellness programs. The list of rodeo's tall, but true, tales goes on. (8 1/2 x 11, 216 pages, b&w photos)

Gavin Ehringer is one of the most prolific rodeo writers in America. He has written Western Horseman magazine's "Rodeo Arena" column for more than ten years and has reported on every major rodeo event in the West. Ehringer coauthored Rodeo in America with Dr. Wayne Wooden and has written dozens of articles for magazines such as The Quarter Horse Journal, Paint Horse Journal, The National Reining Horse Association Reiner, Horse & Rider, Cowboys & Indians, and American Cowboy. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ... Read more

Reviews

Wonderful book on some of the greats, March 8, 2008
Great book with information on some of the very best in the sport of Rodeo.

Rodeo Legends, August 22, 2007
My son has really enjoyed reading about the various people and events that they pursue in this book. Interesting to read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

How to select, train, and compete on a winning barrel racer.Barrel racing, in which horse and rider gallop in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels, is the fastest-growing rodeo event. Author Sharon Camarillo, a successful contestant-turned trainer, teacher, and commentator, presents a comprehensive program that takes the novice barrel racer from the process of choosing her horse up to preparation for and taking part in real races. More than just a specialized manual, Barrel Racing for Fun and Fast Times offers advice that will benefit riders of all disciplines, including ways to care for and condition the equine athlete, selecting appropriate and proper-fitting equipment, acquiring the “winning edge” that allows us to achieve competitive success, and more. 160 color illustrations ... Read more

Reviews

You want Team Ropin'? Get this book!!!, February 17, 1999
Oh my god!!! I just started roping a few months ago and have been doing great, eventhou I am not even roping off a horse yet, I just got this book, (it arrived in 4 days!) and it has helped me hone my skills and makes me aware of how I am roping "the fundamentals" so if someone asks me "how" i am roping that dummy and can tell them how do it. Before I read this book I would have just told them, I dont know, I just "do" it. Well, e-mail me, and if Jake or Clay ever reads this E-MAIL ME!!! You guys are so cool and I think ure awesome. My email address is TeamRoperGal@geocities.com or QHJumperJB@aol.com.

Remember; Team Ropin' rules. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This Horse Book and Horse Training Guideis a wealth of information about horses and training. Imagine having the most well-trained horse around...

It will give you everything you need to know to get started training your horse the correct way.

You will learn about your horse and how to train him to be a good riding horse. Even if you have trained horses before or if you have never trained a horse in your life, you will want to read this book and get all secrets you are probably not aware of.

With this book you will learn to understand your horse and how your horse thinks. This will help you understand why horses are the way they are, and why they think the way they do. You will learn to teach your horse the things you want him to know.

First you will learn to teach him to obey you and to look to you for instructions. You will need lots of patience when it comes to training a horse. It won’t be easy, but you can do it.

And lead them into the 2 main benefits below:

This Book will Teach Your Horse who the Lead Mare really is... which is you...

1) You want your horse to know you are the lead mare. Then he will look to you for instructions. There is a way you can get your horse to think of you as the lead mare. As your horses lead mare, he will follow you and wait for you to tell him where to go.

2) You can train your horse to go in the direction you need him to go. You will train him on stopping. You will train him to go forward, turn right and to turn left.

More Inside... ... Read more

Reviews

Horse Training that Was easy to Follow, June 29, 2010
This book was an easy to follow horse training book that works. Works good as a reference and the price is right. If your looking to train your horse and learn without spending a lot, I would say this would be the one.

A must read horse book for horse enthusiasts., January 17, 2010
This book is a beginning but thorough guide to horse training the proper way. Learn the techniques and secrets to training and taking care of your horse the proper way. Highly recommended horse training book.

Good Horse Training Book, January 17, 2010
This book is a great start to horse training, Easy to read and has some insider secret tactics that I would have never thought of. Starts off pretty simple, and gets more involved and serious later.

Lacks specific information:, November 28, 2010
If you are looking for a book on how to train horses, look in a different direction. This book has little advice for real world training and is very general in its approach. Wish I could get my money back. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

First-rate book by a first-rate horseman, March 5, 1998
Written by a two-time winner of the National Cutting Horse Association's Futurity and member of the NCHA Hall of Fame, Leon Harrell's folksy and illuminating cutting horse text is an excellent introduction to this sport. Harrell addresses the basic concerns of the novice cutter (and those who are wondering whether this is the sport for them at all) in understandable and clear terms. He offers tips on everything from selection of tack to finding the right horse, provides detailed descriptions of his training methods, and details the rules of cutting competition. Harrell's anecdotes provide effective illustrations of his training techniques and also let the novice know what to expect in competition. He is generous with advice to the newcomer and also with praise to those who have helped him become the NCHA Hall of Famer he now is.

One of the most attractive features of this well-organized, beautifully-illustrated, clearly-written text is simply the feel of the book. Harrell writes about his horses like a man who loves them. His training methods are geared toward getting the most out of a horse, and making the horse enjoy it. He describes cutting as an exciting yet friendly sport, and when he advises the rookie cutter to ask for help from the best riders at a competition, the reader gets the feeling that anyone who asked Harrell for help would get all they needed. He describes his great horses (Smart Date, Nu Bar, Fizzabar, and the rest) with real respect and affection, and when he casually remarks, "I thought the world of [Fizzabar] and the mare thought quite a bit of me" the reader understands why.

Leon Harrell has made a fine career of training horses. He is especially good with the spooky, sensitive ones. After reading this book it is easy to understand why. Leon Harrell is an admirable trainer. He's clearly not too shabby as a man, either. If I am ever in Texas with a young cutting horse, I know who I'll call for advice.

IF YOU'RE INTO CUTTING, THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!, April 12, 2002
This is a great book; well written and lots of photographs so you can see what he's talking about. So many of the horse training books are so phony - all in "horse talk" and you don't really understand what they mean. Not this book - it's easy to understand even for a beginner or a spectator.

Cutting Horse Book, March 28, 2007
I think this stey-by-step guide was very helpful and informative. The illustrations were great and helped me to understand the point of what was being said.

Well put together :-) ... Read more

Editorial Review

Famed rodeo rider Ty Murray, "The King of the Cowboys," shares recollections of his amazing career in the roughstock events. These events-bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding-are the most dangerous and physically demanding in the sport of rodeo. Murray recalls wild adventures on the road with rodeo buddies Lane Frost, Cody Lambert, Tuff Hedeman, and Jim Sharp, as well as the humorous antics and tragic accidents that have shaped their friendships. He discusses the business side of life on the rodeo circuit, from evaluating stock to managing a hectic traveling schedule. Murray explains what it takes to put his life on the line every time he crawls into the saddle to ride the meanest, toughest broncs and bulls. ... Read more

Reviews

Good Ol'e Boy, March 25, 2002
this book was great on many different levles because we got to see a side of Ty that we can't when watching him preform. the pictures were great and his words told a story that only rodeo cowboys like me and him and many others will only know. even if you are not a rodeo cowboy/ or fan pick it up it's an easy read and will take you into a life of one grat one and maybe be the greatest. a life much of the world is afraid, and skepical of. ROCK ON TY....... ... Read more

Editorial Review

A fascinating analysis of the first famous American to erase the boundary between real history and entertainment

Canada, and Europe. Crowds cheered as cowboys and Indians--and Annie Oakley!--galloped past on spirited horses, sharpshooters exploded glass balls tossed high in the air, and cavalry troops arrived just in time to save a stagecoach from Indian attack. Vivid posters on billboards everywhere made William Cody, the show's originator and star, a world-renowned figure.
Joy S. Kasson's important new book traces Cody's rise from scout to international celebrity, and shows how his image was shaped. Publicity stressed his show's "authenticity" yet audiences thrilled to its melodrama; fact and fiction converged in a performance that instantly became part of the American tradition.

But how, precisely, did that come about? How, for example, did Cody use his audience's memories of the Civil War and the Indian wars? He boasted that his show included participants in the recent conflicts it presented theatrically, yet he also claimed it evoked "memories" of America's bygone greatness. Kasson's shrewd, engaging study--richly illustrated--in exploring the disappearing boundary between entertainment and public events in American culture, shows us just how we came to imagine our memories.
... Read more

Reviews

An important analysis of America's first celebrity, July 10, 2000
Joy Kasson uses the story of Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West show to tell us about the beginnings of celebrity in America. Tracing Buffalo Bill's life from Army scout through Wild West show impresario she reveals how Cody "created an American memory through entertainment" by bringing together Northerners and former Confederates in the final decade of the nineteenth century for a shared and comforting interpretation of American identity. The imperialist story the Wild West Show told was legitimizing to American's who wanted to view their destruction of native American life in their westward advancement as the justifiable acts by victims of murderous natives, now happily tamed as actors, rather than the other way around. She demonstrates how Buffalo Bill's thesis about western conquest by white Americans influenced the twentieth century interpretation of American history in many ways, not the least of which was the Boy Scouts, and particulary through the powerful genre of the motion picture, in which Cody's influence was seminal.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show promoters were among the first to manipulate the public through advertising and image building. Kasson has given new insight into a late twentieth century culture that produced such phenomena as an actor as president, spin doctors and focus groups, and in countless other ways blurred the line between performance and reality.

A book both scholarly and readable, Buffalo Bill's Wild West has broken new ground in our understanding of the beginnings of our celebrity culture.

A solid must-have, September 4, 2000
After checking this book out of the library and reading some of it, we knew we had to own it. Kasson writes well for the serious amateur of the Wild West, and the scholarship appears solid. It's clearly a work of contemporary history-writing, in that Kasson is very attentive to how we re-tell our past to ourselves, how myths and celebrity develop. In this respect it resembles Paul Reddin's "Wild West Shows" (University of Illinois Press, 1999), which we also recommend. Readers who want to know what it was REALLY like on the plains will want to consult other books.

Buffalo Bill was a Major Stud Dude, December 11, 2000
This is an outstanding scholarly study of Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show. Kasson deals with her subject sympathetically and never leaps to politically correct judgments. Kasson not only offers a biography of Buffalo Bill and a study of the cultural meaning of his Wild West, but also a study of how Indians and other marginalized groups figured in the Wild West show. Excellent book. Buy it.

Tedious and Redundant, December 3, 2002
I was stunned by how a subject such as the Wild West shows could be presented in such a tiresome manner. The author makes the same two or three points over and over again (the meat of her book) and spends the rest of the book detailing lithographs and program covers -- copies of which appear in the book. I stuck with it to the end, but was frustrated by it being a bad read and a waste of time. ... Read more

Editorial Review

To the fan, the rodeo cowboy is the distinctly American embodiment of the romantic Old West. But to the young men who live the profession, the realities are modest pay, continuous travel, and the constant threat of injury. While he was the Denver bureau chief of the New York Times, Dirk Johnson spent a year on the professional rodeo circuit with cowboys, watching them try to hang on to bucking horses and Brahma bulls-and to wives and livelihoods that seemed only one fall away from disappearing. Biting the Dust covers the circuit's biggest events in Denver, the capital of the New West, to small towns on the Great Plains like McCook, Nebraska, where rodeo continues to thrive even as the population shrinks. Johnson takes the reader beyond sentimental visions of the rodeo cowboy and the American West and provides an unforgettable and authentic story of the rodeo today.

Dirk Johnson is the Chicago bureau chief for Newsweek magazine and a five-time winner of the New York Times Publisher's Award. ... Read more

Reviews

True stories of rodeo life, June 12, 2001
I was blown away by this book for 2 reasons: 1. I have rodeoed before and knew exactly what these guys (and families) go through; and 2) Dirk Johnson did not sugar coat anything, he did not make them out to be something they're not, nor did he "sell out" their stories as real life stories are done so many times in the entertainment industry. It's great to see that people actually take an interest in their lifestyle, profession, job or whatever you choose to call it. I highly recommend this book for the person who doesn't know the 1st thing about rodeo or for a veteran of the sport/profession.

very insightful into the reasons why cowboys rodeo, October 24, 1997
I loved this book! It is funny, sad, tragic and beautiful. If you have ever tried to get inside a cowboy's head but couldn't, read this book. The author follows rodeo athletes you'll see every week on TV and tells stories that make you feel as if you know them. I've read it many times. Wait till you read the story about Willy Everide. ... Read more

Reviews

The Last Ride, December 31, 2000
I met Pee Wee Mercer when I was a senior in high school and we became very good friends and we traveled the high school rodeo circuit in 1985.Only living 10 miles from each other,we did alot of things that year.I went on and served my country, while my partner cont. with the rodeo circuit.This book was such an excellent story of a great bullrider and a wonderful person.Rodeo is a tough life and there's many bruises and broken bones along the way and when you start reading it, you discover what it takes to be a professional bullrider.I went to the hospital just after the accident and as I looked at my little buddy, I just couldn't imagen what the future held for him,but I can say that he's taken something awfully and has done what few people could even dream about . Pee Thanks for all the memories and the stories, will be looking forward to another book soon. Your friend Rowland Cortese

This is an amazing book, May 8, 2001
I loved this book. It was one of the only books I have read with such a real life country setting. Not only was this guy a wonderful bullrider but was and is a good person at heart. Being raised around cattle and horses made for a great start for a bullrider. I think this book is very enlightening to the life of a bullrider and how hard they work to become what they are. It takes a very special person to climb on the back of a bull, and try to hang on for 8 seconds. They are faced with life and death everytime they nodd there head and come out of those chutes.

I couldn't put this book down. I would recommend this to anyone. Please take the time to read this book and you will soon appreciate the courage these guys have in taking on a bull.

I wore my pants out, December 28, 2000
PeeWee Mercer took me on a wild ride in his "Last Ride." He had me on so many bulls he wore my pants out. If you ever dreamed about what it is like to be a professional bullrider, Pee Wee tells it like it is, with all the glamour and romance washed out. You will ride around the circuit racing from city to city for the opportunity to get up on that next bull. The pay stinks, and there is a lot of pain, but for Pee Wee it is the life to which he was born. Pee Wee's last ride is the hook that pulls you into his story. Can you imagine the world in which he found himself after breaking is spinal cord that fateful evening in 1995 when he rode his last bull? His life today is the "hardest" bull he has ever had to ride, yet he continues on with guts and a faith that is an inspiration to all.

Great Life Story!, May 16, 2001
This was a funny, touching true life story that I couldn't put down! Definitely a great book for anyone, whether you like rodeo or not. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike, November 4, 2005
Rodeo's roots may be in the primitive West of the past, but today it's prime-time TV material, even while steeped in tradition, filled with pros and tours. Journalist W.K. Stratton followed the pro rodeo circuit for one year, exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike. His findings about the people and politics of today's rodeo make for lively reading in Chasing The Rodeo: On Wild Rides And Big Dreams, Broken Hearts And Broken Bones, And One Man's Search For The West. A spirited account of today's wild riders.

Rodeo: Universality of the American West, September 18, 2005
Having grown up in Texas, I easily recognize many names and places and am quite familiar with rodeos. W.K. Stratton brilliantly blends the romantic lure of the rodeo as an expression of the American West with the univeral theme of the quest for identity. The book is a delightful mixture of colorful characters, amusing anecdotes, and sad stories. Mr. Stratton's personal quest mirrors that of all, not just those familiar with the sport or the region. His story's appeal lies in the universality of each human's struggles with issues of identity, values, and sense of place. I heartily recommend Chasing the Rodeo to anyone who appreciates a book that both transports one to another time and place and allows one the opportunity to be inspired by another's personal journey through life.

An enjoyable read, May 8, 2005
"Chasing the Rodeo" will immerse you in rodeo, not only in its events, but also in its history. Its pages are full of detailed facts and colorful characters, anecdotes and personal reflections. Stratton's re-visitation to one of the loves of his youth and an essential part of his background will enlighten any, like me, who have wondered what drives the people who participate in this sport. Stratton speaks frankly to animal activists as well, debunking some myths while always acknowledging dangers. He informed me, a great animal lover, of progress made and precautions taken, which made me feel easier in my mind and gave me greater respect for the rodeo.

This is a well-written book that moves along fluidly and entertainingly. A very enjoyable read.

Not Satisfied, January 12, 2009
This book was not what I was hoping it would be. I was hoping to get a nice history of rodeo, which it included somewhat. That wasn't all of it, though. For a person that proclaimed to like rodeo, it sure didn't come across in this book. He accused stock contractors of lying about the treatment of animals, complained about the rise in popularity to the sport and what it has done to the authenticity and then almost became apologetic towards the treatment of non-whites in the sport. This book is not good for anyone, outsiders to the sport of the rodeo or the hardcore fans that watch week in and week out. I hope this book was written to "generate passion for the sport" because if I wasn't a fan, I wouldn't get past this book. There are better books on rodeo.

Great reporting, May 12, 2005
To say that Chasing the Rodeo is a mere primer on the rodeo circuit is like saying The Sun Also Rises is about bullfighting. This is a great read, fully charged with emotion and old-fashioned shoe-leather reporting. Kip Stratton tells us how the weather was and much, much more. Bravo!

A real delight, May 8, 2005
This is a remarkable book! It braids together an appreciative look at modern rodeo, a thoroughly engrossing look at rodeo's history and traditions, and an intriguing search for the real man behind the vague imaginings of a child who never knew his biological father.

Stratton's prose is deft and flowing. He led me from his own memories of a legendary bull ride to the party-hearty bars at Pendleton and the lure of the dirt arena. The search for his father never intrudes; it bolsters Stratton's exploration of the compelling urges that rodeo creates in both professionals and fans.

Sometimes poignant, sometimes rowdy, always interesting--this book goes on my shelf of favorites. ... Read more