The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series) [Hardcover]

David R. Stoecklein (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cowboy Gear Series | Publication Date: November 1, 2004

This book by photographer David R. Stoecklein brings into focus a few of the most important elements of cowboy gear-boots, spurs, and buckles. The quality and superb craftsmanship of some of these exquisite pieces shine through in these images. In these pages you will find spurs from all across the West, handcrafted belt buckles, and weathered cowboy boots. There is a story behind each one that speaks of the tradition and rich heritage of cowboy life. Learn about the different styles and varieties of Western gear that have emerged throughout the decades in different regions of the country. The set of three books is the perfect gift for a collector or Western enthusiast. Cowboy boots are an undying symbol of the American West. The supple, weathered leather speaks of the hard work and long, dusty days of the true cowboy. Boots take on a certain personality as they age and are often the most well-worn and personalized item a cowboy owns. Styles, colours, and usage vary widely across different areas and cultures. Each pair of boots tells a different story in this new book of photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Cowboy boots are an undying symbol of the American West. The supple, weathered leather speaks of the hard work and long, dusty days of the true cowboy. Boots take on a certain personality as they age and are often the most well-worn and personalized item a cowboy owns. Styles, colors, and usage vary widely across different areas and cultures.
Each pair of boots tells a different story in this new book of photographs. This is the third volume in David R. Stoecklein's series on cowboy gear. Shirl Woodson's text traces the evolution of the cowboy boot from its early influences to present-day fashion trends.

About the Author

SHIRL WOODSON'S text traces the evolution of the cowboy boot from its early influences to present-day fasion trends.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Stoecklein Publishing; 1st edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931153264
• ISBN-13: 978-1931153263
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,257,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Better to stick with Tyler Beard, November 24, 2004

By 

Boot Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series) (Hardcover)

Whether you are a boot fan or just curious this is one book to avoid. The book shows little imagination nor depth of research. Once you've turned a few pages in the book you've seen them all.

Tyler Beard has done three books on boots and each one shows an effort to get out and find the unusual and best examples of boot making. I would advise David R. Stoecklein to do the same.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book. I just don't get the first two reviews, February 22, 2008

By 

Bob Brockway - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series) (Hardcover)

Bootfan must have been expecting a picture book of newer type custom boots. That's fine, as he said, buy Tyler's books or better yet, Jennifer June's new book, "Cowboy Boots, The Art & Soul".
As for Donna Foster...Huh? This book is not by Tyler Beard, she is confusing this with one of Tyler's books, it's not.
Now for the book.
I own all of Tyler Beard's books, Jennifer June's and Sharon DeLano's. I found this book to be in good company with them. I particularly liked the photos of the older antique boots (pre 1900s). I found the book to be well laid out and refreshingly different from the others. Mr. Stoecklein has chosen not to follow the "formula" for a Cowboy boot book that is quickly becoming predictable and redundant. Mr. Stoecklein touches on more than boots, he shares the life, the culture, the essence of living in the west through his photos of not only the boots, but the people who wear them. Many of the shots of the boots are not static arranged shots set up in a studio under controlled lighting conditions, they are instead "action" shots taken on the range, in the mud; real time photos of cowboys and cowgirls doing their jobs or just relaxing.
Mr. Stoecklein is a photographer so to expect anything more than a photo book form him may be unfair. That being said, I enjoyed the text very much but would have liked to have seen more, especially of the history of not just boots, but of the west, the cattle drives, etc. Maybe even a little more insight into the life and personality of the cowboy, his day to day challenges and why he would have chosen the footwear that became the cowboy boot.
In summary, the photos are very good but the text a little weak, at least for what I was looking for. All in all, I would recommend this book as a top shelf pick, in a niche genre with scarce but fierce competition.

1.0 out of 5 stars Cowboy boot: History art Culture Function, October 11, 2008

By 

bobo (ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series) (Hardcover)

Not worth the money. Nice photos but many just different shots of the same people (probably friends of the author!) I have many cowboy boot books and this is the least worthwhile of my collection. Save your money.