Cowboy - American Icon: A Short History of Wild West Culture

Cattle were introduced to North America in the 1680s, but the true era of the cowboy began around 1860 when white Europeans arrived in Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. The cowboy played a vital role in the American economy for 50 years, and this book explores their lives, culture, and legacy through photos, texts, and illustrations. It includes information on the Old West, the creation of cattle ranches, the cattle drives, outlaws, rustlers, and lawmen, and the Modern Cowboy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2023
Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

A comprehensive visual journey through the iconic figure of the Old West and the contemporary West.

Cattle were brought to North America as early as the 1680s, marking the beginning of the cowboy era. However, the true essence of the cowboy emerged around 1860, when a perfect convergence of inventions and circumstances took place.

The eastern part of North America was densely forested, making it inhospitable for modern cattle. Cattle, however, thrive in grasslands, and when white Europeans ventured to Texas, Kansas, and Missouri, they discovered vast expanses of grasslands that were being connected to the East by the first railways across the plains.

Abilene, Kansas, became a central hub for cattle drives originating in Texas, transporting massive shipments of cattle to Omaha and the meatpackers of Chicago. For a span of 50 years, the cowboy of legend played a vital role in the economy of America.

This captivating story, presented through a combination of photographs, texts, and illustrations, explores the world of cowboys from their early days to the present. Packed with archival photos, posters, sidebars, and museum-worthy artifacts, Cowboy takes readers on a journey through the history, culture, and lifestyle of these iconic figures.

Cowboys of the Old West:

Americas early explorers and settlers

Westward expansion, wars with Native peoples

Wagon trains and the first railroads

The creation of cattle ranches

The vaqueros, the first cowboys

Understanding cows: Bovine biology

Cowboy clothing and saddles

Hazards of the trail

The cattle drives: major railheads

The last roundup (1910)

Outlaws, rustlers, and lawmen

Cowboy-style entertainers (Annie Oakley, Kit Carson, Buffalo Bill Cody)

The Modern Cowboy:

The up-to-date cowhand

Seasons of the ranch

Modern horse breeds: mustangs and quarter-horses

Rodeos, and their future

The cowboy legacy in art, film, TV, and song

Cowboy fashion: blue jeans and bolo ties

The cowboy story: f.

In conclusion, Cowboy is a remarkable work that offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the world of cowboys, from their historical roots to their modern-day counterparts. Through a rich blend of visual and textual content, this book provides a deep understanding of the cowboy's role in shaping American history and culture. Whether you are a fan of the Old West or are curious about the modern cowboy, this book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to appreciate the enduring legacy of these iconic figures.

Weight: 1276g
Dimension: 236 x 286 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228104490