Customer Reviews

Cowgirls: Commemorating the Women of the West

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

You can have the gorgeous stars in LaLa Land and your beach bunnies in Miami. These cowgirls are drop dead gorgeous and while I assume some are in the book for show, it is clear these women love what they are doing and their life style; their exuberance and physical beauty shine in every page in this delightful book. I first read(?) it cover to cover at a dude ranch and returning home, ran in the door to order it. I will proudly present this on the coffee table in my place in Northern Idaho for the numerous guests whom I allow to use the retreat.

Happy Trails.

Being raised on a ranch in Nevada, and being a "cowgirl" myself, I can tell you that this book represents the TRUE cowgirl better than anything I have ever seen. Mr. Stoecklein has an eye for beauty, and he knows what true ranch life is like, and he has combined the two perfectly. These women are true blue ranch women, not models who are made to look like ranch women. I know this for a fact as I have competed against several of them and am familiar with the ranches in the book. If you want a look at beautiful women who are genuine Cowgirls, this is the book for you. Thank you Mr. Stoecklein, for showing the rest of the world the REAL cowgirls of the west. Great job!!

I have to give this guy props on his photography. Most of the images were with 35mm slide film and the quality of photographs he took are really outstanding. The photographs are technically about perfect and the women are also gorgeous. They're a different kind of sensuous photographs that you don't see very often. Just a really awesome picture portfolio!

If you want to see beautiful cowgirls this is it. Great chaps with tight jeans. Pretty faces with cute hats. Doesn't get any better for me.