Cowgirls: Women of the American West [Paperback]

Teresa Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992

American lore has slighted the cowgirl, although at least one can still be found in nearly every ranching community. Like her male counterpart, she rides and ropes, understands land and stock, and confronts the elements. The writer and photographer Teresa Jordan traveled sixty thousand miles in the American West, talking with more than a hundred authentic cowgirls running ranches and performing in rodeos. The result is a fascinating book that also situates the cowgirl in history and literature. A new preface and updated bibliography have been added to this Bison Book edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Let Jordan introduce you to these women. You won’t encounter them anywhere else. Every one of them is worth knowing. Their lives are heroic in the most literal sense of the word. Cowgirls are American originals."—Los Angeles Times

(Los Angeles Times )

"Valuable for its sympathetic portrait of western life and western women, for the historical anecdotes that enliven its pages and for its nitty-gritty detail about ranch life. To read it is to share its author''s affectionate regard for a vanishing way of life."—San Francisco Chronicle

(San Francisco Chronicle )

"An absorbing portrait of the highly independent, often colorful women who have long stood next to the men of the American West."—Publishers Weekly

(Publishers Weekly )

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803275757
• ISBN-13: 978-0803275751
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #494,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real women of the American West, not Hollywood!, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cowgirls: Women of the American West (Paperback)

Each chapter contains a photo and a unique and interesting interview with a real woman of the west, ranchers, cowgirls, young and old alike. Every night, after my own chores were done, I'd read about another woman, who like me, loved hard work, the outdoors, and animals. It was like visiting with a new friend, some I liked more than others, but all of us similar in some way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and want to read more like it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Women - Real Life, February 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cowgirls: Women of the American West (Paperback)

This book really put life into perspective for me. As a woman rancher, I really felt a kinship with a lot of the women and found renewed strength and courage through their experiences. I realized how much I really enjoy what I do. My only regret is that I did not read this book earlier in my life. Ms. Jordan did an excellent job of capturing these women's spirit and drive. I was thankful that she updated the original verson and find myself still wantintg to know how these women are getting along. Just like they were personal friends. At times I found myself envious of her for getting to meet them. Even the bibliography was a joy to read and I found several books to add to my reading list. Thank you Teresa Jordan.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful real ranch lives, March 9, 2000

By 

Myra K. Lowder (Shingle Springs, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cowgirls: Women of the American West (Paperback)

I loved this book! It is so exciting to know that other ranch woman are living and doing the same kind of things that you are. I think that sometimes you feel alone and this book lets me know that i am not. I really related to a lot of what was in the book, and it made me want to do more in the ranching field and also to verify that ranch life is not "dead and gone". Teresa has such a wonderful and colorful way with words and really relates to the ranch woman, being raised as one herself. I highly recommed this book to anyone!