Cowboy (Eyewitness Books) [Hardcover]

David H. Murdoch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 1993 | Age Level: 8 and up

Full-color photos. Trace the history and lore of a favorite folk hero--from ancient Mongolian herdsmen to South American gauchos to good ol' American cowpokes. Photos of actual clothing worn by famous cowboys and outlaws are included.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-This vivid series entry is packed with information and copious illustrations that readers will want to pore over. Murdoch includes a history of cowboys; their preferred horses, saddles, and dress; cattle; and the mystique of the life style. Cowboy also acquaints readers with the gardians of the Camargue in France, South American gauchos, Spanish charros of early Mexico, the "ringers" of the Australian outback, along with the traditional cowboy and cowgirl of the wild American West. Detailed, captioned photographs of artifacts, weapons, and modern equipment used all over the world are taken from museums, private collections, and ranches. This offering is a rich addition to the nonfiction shelves; its brimming but never overly busy pages will fascinate youngsters.
Julie Halverstadt, Douglas Public Library District, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Packed with information and copious illustrations that readers will want to pore over."--School Library Journal.  

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 14, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679840141
• ISBN-13: 978-0679840145
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,751,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best cowboy book ever!!!!!!!!!, April 7, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Eyewitness: Cowboy (Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

I like this book on Cowboy (Eyewitness Books) & I think it's a cool book & in this book you can see why what an athentic chuckwagon looks like, how an expert ropes a calf, a rodeo rider in action on a wild steer, how a saddle is made & a Mongolian lassoing a wild horse.

Also learn about where wild horses and bulls live in France, why cowboys wear Long Johns, how to tame a bucking bronco, why a gaucho decorates his belt with silver coins.

You can always discover how the cowboy's romantic image influenced music & films & even much, much more ever!!!!

This book reminds me of a video called "Big Comfy Couch: You Can Do it Molly, Black Beauty book illustrated by Susan Jeffers.

This is the best cowboy book ever!!!!!!!!!!!

This is like a new favorite of eyewitness books ever!!!!

I loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yee-haw for your eyes, January 28, 2001

By 

yarden "yarden" (portland, or) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness: Cowboy (Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other cowboy picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful photos of historically cowboy/cowgirl things, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about American cowboys in the old west (along with cowboys from a few other cultures). See photos of real cowboy paraphernelia, clothing, weapons, etc.!

If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by all things cowboy, then you must introduce them to this book! It's a visual crash course in cowboys, and it's excellent!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, May 21, 2007

By 

Ray Gardner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eyewitness: Cowboy (Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

It gives some of the basic facts about the western cowboy though the cover and overall presentation is misleading. While the American cowboy remains at the center of the book, enough coverage is given to international cattlemen to technically make this book about cow herders of the world, and not about American cowboys per se.

Had we wanted a book on cow herders of the world, we would have looked for one, but of course, we were looking for a book on American cowboys.

Add to this the problem of the DK staff editorializing the book with many unnecessary opinions, and the book was very disappointing indeed. (Opinions on women being "condemned" to wear skirts, legal guns making the west more dangerous, and the oddest statement I've ever read, that cowboys wore their boots in the fashion that they did because of how proud they were of their small feet?. . . )

Odd statements, and unnecessary and controversial statements aside, the book was worth keeping, though I wouldn not recommend it.