{"product_id":"cowboy-american-icon-a-short-history-of-wild-west-culture-9780228104490","title":"Cowboy American Icon: A Short History of Wild West Culture","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMay your belly never grumble\u003cbr\u003e May your heart never ache\u003cbr\u003e May your horse never stumble\u003cbr\u003e May your cinch never break \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e--Cowboy blessing\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eA sweeping visual history of the iconic figure of the Old West -- and the present west.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Cattle were introduced to North America as early as the 1680s. But the true era of the cowboy required an intersection of inventions and conditions that finally happened about 1860. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The east of North America was thickly forested. Modern cattle thrive in grasslands, and when white Europeans made their way to Texas, Kansas and Missouri they found a bonanza of grasslands that were being connected to the big markets of the East, by the first railways across the plains. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Abilene, Kansas became a destination for cattle drives from Texas, that sent vast shipments to Omaha and the meat packers of Chicago. For a period of 50 years, the cowboy of legend had a vital role in the economy of America. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e This is the story, in photos, texts and illustrations of who the cowboys were, what their lives and culture were, famous cowboys, outlaws and lawmen, cattle and horses -- in short, the whole world of the cowboy from early days to now. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Packed with archival photos, posters, sidebars and museum-worthy artifacts, \u003ci\u003eCowboy\u003c\/i\u003e includes: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eCowboys of the Old West\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e America's early explorers and settlers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Westward expansion, wars with Native peoples\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Wagon trains and the first railroads\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e The creation of cattle ranches\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e The vaqueros, the first cowboys\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e What is a cow? Bovine biology\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Cowboy clothing and saddles\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Hazards of the trail\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e The cattle drives: major railheads\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e The last roundup (1910)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Outlaws, rustlers and lawmen\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Cowboy-style entertainers (Annie Oakley, Kit Carson, Buffalo Bill Cody)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eThe Modern Cowboy\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e The up-to-date cowhand\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Seasons of the ranch\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Modern horse breeds: mustangs and quarter-horses\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Rodeos, and their future\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e The cowboy legacy in art, film, TV and song\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e Cowboy fashion: blue jeans and bolo ties\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e The cowboy story: from Zane Grey to Cormac McCarthy.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e Throughout, spectacular images and well-researched photographs designed in a \"period\" style make this a useful resource and a fascinating gift for anyone with a fondness for the real cowboy story. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e Author Daniel Pruitt is an historian long fascinated by the history of the American West -- appreciating its legendary tall tales while respecting its hard truths A lifelong horseman, Pruitt is a former trainer and competitor in Western equitation who currently lives in New England This is his first book \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Firefly Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50611178668306,"sku":"9780228104490","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_b805c180-22ee-404a-a550-6c97f0ef3231.jpg?v=1732358608","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/cowboy-american-icon-a-short-history-of-wild-west-culture-9780228104490","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}