Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West
The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West | John Branch
4 posts | 5 read | 1 to read
A gripping portrait of one familys gamble that rodeo and ranching are the future of the Westand not just its past. For generations, the Wrights of southern Utah have raised cattle and world-champion saddle-bronc riderssome call them the most successful rodeo family in history. Now Bill and Evelyn Wright, parents to 13 children and grandparents to many more, find themselves struggling to hang on to the majestic landscape where theyve been running cattle for 150 years as the West is transformed by urbanization, battered by drought, and rearranged by public-land disputes. Could rodeo, of all things, be the answer? In a powerful follow-up to his prize-winning, best-selling first book, New York Times reporter John Branch delivers an epic and intimate family story deep in the American grain. Written with great lyricism and filled with vivid scenes of ranch life and the high drama of saddle-bronc competition, The Last Cowboys chronicles three years in the life of the Wrights, each culminating in rodeos National Finals in Las Vegas. Will Bill and Evelyn be able to hold the family together as rodeo injuries pile up and one of their sons goes off on a religious mission? Will their son Cody, a two-time world champion, make it to the finals one last timeand compete with his own son? And will the younger generationRusty, Ryder, Stetson, and the restbe able to continue the familys ways in the future? This is a grand and compelling work of reporting that, like Buzz Bissingers Friday Night Lights, offers deep insight into American ritual and tradition. And in telling the Wright familys story, from branding days to rodeo nights to annual Christmas gatherings, Branch captures something vital of the grit, determination, and integrity that fuel the American Dream. An unforgettable book by one of the finest reporters of our time, The Last Cowboys is a moving tribute to an American way of life.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
CRR
post image
Pickpick

Bought this as a Kindle deal because it looked interesting. I enjoyed learning about the Wright family and their dominating presence in saddle bronc rodeo. It read a little long at times because there were so many miles and rodeos but overall a great story. Amazing to see a family so dedicated to each other, their cattle, and their rodeo passion.

Nute I‘m surprised at how intrigued I am about this story. The book synopsis stated that ranching is the future of the west, not its past. Do you agree? 5y
CRR @Nute It might be for the Wright family. They have a lot of family members and they are hoping ranching is more of their future as the grandpa is getting a little older and his son is close to retiring from rodeo. 5y
43 likes2 comments
review
Erynecki
post image
Pickpick

I‘m such a city girl, so it was definitely eye opening for me to read THE LAST COWBOYS. It is an interesting read about family, the west, cowboys, ranching, the Utah landscape, and running cattle. It's narrative non-fiction that is both reporting about a gritty way of life and an intimate portrait of the Wright family. The descriptions in the book are vivid, but google Wright Rodeo to find photos and video to learn more.

12 likes1 stack add
blurb
Erynecki
post image

1. Picture of my summer: beautiful blossoms, a rare sighting because frequently it‘s very foggy in the Bat Area.
2. Recently finished: It‘s What I Do. Currently reading The Last Cowboys
3. Movies: Loved the Incredibles. Enjoyed the Mr Rogers Film. Looking forward to seeing RBG. Can‘t wait to screen my own docfilm, CHASING PORTRAITS at the SF Jewish Film Festival.
4. 👍📚🎥
#friyayintro

blurb
Hoopiefoot
post image

All American brunch.

I went to grad school out west but spent so much time studying & working that I didn‘t get to explore much. I think it‘s time to plan a western road trip!

Eyelit That plate brings back memories! I grew up with a set just like it. Sturdy as all get out - I think my parents might still have them 😁 6y
Hoopiefoot @Eyelit These were my grandparents‘ & even though they aren‘t the most stylish, I just can‘t give them up. I have the whole set 😀 6y
53 likes1 stack add2 comments