Cowgirls: Commemorating the Women of the West [Hardcover]

David R. Stoecklein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

Dave Stoecklein started photographing cowgirls for his calendars fifteen years ago, always hoping that, one day, he would be able to put together a book. That day finally arrived. In Cowgirls, you will meet some of the most genuine and confident cowgirls of today's American
West. The beautiful women in these photographs are working cowgirls; all of them ride and are devoted to their horses.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When you think of a cowgirl, what comes to mind? Most likely a beautiful woman riding across the open range - riding like the wind - with a big smile on her face. Like cowboys, they're the stuff of myth and legend, but cowgirls are also real.
David R. Stoecklein started photographing cowgirls for his calendars fifteen years ago, always hoping that, one day, he'd be able to put together a book. And that day has arrived. In Cowgirls, you will meet some of the most genuine and confident cowgirls of today's American West - the real McCoy. He has chosen some of his best photos of some of his favorite cowgirls for this book, which is intended to be a celebration of the American Cowgirl - her beauty, her skill, and her love of horses and the West. The beautiful women in these photographs are working cowgirls, all of them ride and are devoted to their horses. In fact, they are all passionate about it.
Complementing Stoecklein's photography are wonderful articles that reflect the cowgirl spirit and lifestyle from Sue Wallis, Elizabeth Clair Flood, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. In addition, we asked all of the cowgirls that are featured in this book to give us their thoughts on what it means to be a cowgirl, what they enjoy most about their lifestyle, and what they love about cowboys. Their responses will leave you yearning to spend a day in their boots.
Stoecklein's Cowgirls is a tribute to the women of the West, a celebration of their spirit, and a testimonial to the boundless freedom in which they live their lives. So sit a spell, leaf through the pages, and take in the wonderful world of cowgirls.

About the Author

David R. Stoecklein has worked closely with ranchers and cowboys from every Western state. These friends have shared their generations-old culture to help David document the West on film. Through his work, he has gained a deep understanding of and respect for cowboys and cowgirls. His quest to keep the spirit of the West alive is heartfelt and uncompromising. David spends every free moment photographing cowboys, cowgirls, and all elements of their lives, preserving their heritage and traditions. David resides in Idaho with his wife, Mary, and their three sons.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stoecklein Publishing; 1st edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092202944X
• ISBN-13: 978-0922029440
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 12 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Color

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Go Ahead--Indulge Yourself, March 28, 2000

By 

J. Hale "johnny negotiable" (Juneau, AK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cowgirls: Commemorating the Women of the West (Hardcover)

I'm not a big fan of coffee-table books, but Stoecklein's photographs here are simply delightful. This compilation is a fine tribute to the mythos of the cowgirl: earthy and erotic, rugged and romantic, sexy and, above all, beautiful. The stuff, as Shakespeare would say, that dreams are made of.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, June 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cowgirls: Commemorating the Women of the West (Hardcover)

Hoping to experience cowgirls the way I'd experienced cowboys in Stoecklein's other books, I eagerly purchased this title. Unfortunately, though the photographs are excellently taken (like all of the author's works), it left much to be desired for me. Most of the women portrayed could be any random model who decided to deck out in chaps and cowboy boots, and really, how many times do we have to snap a shot of the back pockets of the cowgirl's jeans? The poses don't seem natural to me and the women are made up way too much for my tastes. Apparently photo shoot day was announced ahead of time to these girls. There are a few exceptions. One gal in Montana does indeed look like she just came in from rounding up the cattle and the action photos of a bronc rider are amazing, but these are few and far between. I was looking for a book that showed the real nitty gritty of women in ranching and rodeo. If you're looking for something like that try "Cowgirls - Women of the American West" by Teresa Jordan, or "Cowgirls - Contemporary Portraits of the American West" by Ronny Farley.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COWGIRLS RULE, January 8, 2002

By 

Tara Martin (Northern Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cowgirls: Commemorating the Women of the West (Hardcover)

I purchased this book after looking at it in a bookstore. The authors' photpgraphy is amazing. Now I want all of his books! This book makes me want to be a cowgirl when I grow up (I'm 42). I have to say that I don't agree with one of the other reviewers' comments, in that who WOULDN'T get gussied up if they knew they were going to be photographed? I really don't think there is a way to get permission from the subjects ahead of time and have no way of tipping them off. Sure, I really don't think they all wear satin western shirts everyday out on the range to work. But why not have some fun? The book covers it all, the dirt, the glamour, the muck, the glory and the beauty of being a strong, hardworking female. Women are strong, but they can be feminine while being so. I LOVE THE BOOK. There is something in there for everyone. KUDOS to David Stoecklein, and please keep the great stuff coming!