Customer Reviews

Bud & Me - The True Adventures of the Abernathy Boys

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In today's culture, it is hard to imagine two boys accomplishing everything that Bud and Temple Abernathy did. But they did do some wonderful things, and along the way became young ambassadors for the Southwest in 1910. It is great reading if you are 8 or 80. The book also gives readers a concept of what life was like at the beginning of this century as times changed before their eyes with each mile. The boys meet representatives of the old ways (Chief Quannah Parker) and the new (The Wright Brothers.) Just to name a few. Very enjoyable reading just by yourself and/or a book that you will want to read over and over to your children.

This is my second review of this book. I use to teach fourth grade and read the last edition to my students for Oklahoma. What a joy. We wrote to Alta Abernathy, the author, and she wrote back to us. I'm not sure if she is still alive or not, but would love to know. What a wonderful book. I now teach third grade and still read this wonderful book to my students. I blew the pictures up and made a map for each child to follow all those boys adventures. A must read for all children and adults who love adventure. Jeannie Scott

BUD AND ME is one of those books that hold you spellbound while all of the time you are saying to yourself "this can't be true"...and yet, there are the photos to prove the story. My uncle was the stepson of Jack Abernathy, the Oklahoma US Marshall whose sons, Temple and Bud, journeyed across the US on horses, elephants, donkeys, cars and motorcycles. I have heard these stories for years and I must admit took them with a grain of salt...until this book was published. Now I believe! Anyone, whatever their age, with a little bit of wanderlust in their soul will have a very difficult time putting this book down. Can you imagine two lads 5 and 9 (I think this is close to their ages)walking to school today, much less from ocean to ocean on horseback...alone? Read about it...and read it to your kids and grandkids. For them to repeat this feat today would be more than a little difficult. But it certainly can teach them a little self reliance and independence...which can't hurt them at all!

I ordered this book last year for my school's library , and it has become a favorite with all who read it. It reveals a more innocent time when two young boys, ages five and nine traveled on horseback from their home in Indian Territory, Oklahoma to Santa Fe ,New Mexico. It is an amazing story of not only this advertureous ride, but several others. Bud and Me was written by the widow of Temple Abernathy (the Me of the title) based his stories and newspaper clippings from the time period. It is told from a first person perspective as the younger of the Abernathy boys recounts the dangers and adventures he and his brother faced as they traveled including sand storms,snakes,hail, bandits, and overzealous ladies. Mostly, it is a story of the goodness of the people who befriended the pair on their journey.

Set in the early decades of this century, it is an enchanting and heartwarming story. Written in simple,yet descriptive prose,it depicts the wonder of the two brothers as they see America. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves history and adventure. It has proved to be a favorite for reading aloud in the classroom. Jane Sherwin, librarian, First Baptist Christian Academy

This is a truly amazing book! It relates one of those stories which make me think, "Why have I never heard of this before?" For sheer remarkableness and fun it deserves a wide circulation.

The author, Alta Abernathy, is the wife of Temple Abernathy who is the "Me" of the book's title. Mrs. Abernathy has put in print the story as told by her husband, and we are deeply in her debt for doing so.

The book tells the story of 5 main journey/adventures of these two boys. On their first journey, in 1909, when the boys were five and nine years old, the boys rode horseback, alone, from their home in Frederick, OK to Santa Fe and back- a trip of over 1000 miles! The next year, again alone, they rode horseback from their home in OK to New York City! Then, having met up with their father in New York and seen Teddy Roosevelt, they drove a car (a new thing at the time, and before laws about age limits for driving) from NY back to OK. The following year, the boys (now ages 7 & 11) were challenged to make the trip from NY to San Francisco on horseback in 60 days. A prize of $10,000 was offered if they were successful. The boys and their father were drawn by the challenge, but quickly stated they would not ride on Sunday. So, the days would have to be calculated without including Sundays. Also, the boys were not allowed to eat or sleep under a roof on the journey! In the end it took them 62 days! Not a bad "failure."

This is a wonderful book for reading to boys!

Just finished this wonderful book. I had heard of the boys father, but never of their adventures. It is a must read for all ages. It was especially wonderful for me since I was born and raised in Oklahoma.

this was such a great book to listen to in the car. I love the story and the history behind their whole family! my boys are 4 and 7 when we listened to it and they were hoping it would never end! It took us on a journey and the long car ride we had was forgotten....and we were all on the trail with the Abernathy boys!

My son LOVED this audio book. The adventures of the two young brothers are hard to believe. I got a kick out of the youngest Abernathy brother, and how feisty he could be. I could really identify with the mother in the tale who screamed out loud in horror that two motherless boys, so young, were allowed to roam the country by themselves. But the account of their roaming sure makes for an exciting story! I also liked the fact that we were learning history. This was well done!