Don't Fence Me In: Images of the West [Hardcover]

David R. Stoecklein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

This collection evokes the feeling of the west through images and stories of this incredibly beautiful and rugged landscape, it's flora, horses, cattle and people. Through a decade of photography spanning ten Western states, Stoecklein depicts the modern-day cowboy at work and at play, at sunrise, and sunset, in all kinds of weather.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Both wit and seriousness of the photos and text give a rich and rare peek into the cowboy's way of life and make this book a treasure -- Yippy-Yi-Yea Western Lifestyles, Winter 1998

Featuring the photography of David Stoecklein, the illustrations of Buckeye Blake, and interviews and stories from cowboys and ranchers all over the American West, Don't Fence Me In is more than just another pretty coffee-table picture book. Don't Fence Me In addresses the modern-day cowboy and how his way of life endures in our society today. Whether they are working on their own ranch or "riding for the brand", these men take pride in their horses, their gear, and the land they care for. Not only do they live the life of the cowboy is the closing decade of the 20th century, they strive every day to preserve the heritage handed down to them and to keep in alive in the coming years of the 21st century. This collection of photographs and the narrative text they illuminate tells a story of incredibly beauty, rugged landscape, horses, cattle, flora, and the cowboy at work and at play, through the rain and the snow, the dust and the brush. Don't Fence Me In is a masterwork that would grace the Western Americana and/or photography collection of any personal, academic, or community library. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Back Cover

Don't Fence Me In is a collection of photographs evoking the feeling of the West through images of this incredibly beautiful and rugged landscape, its flora, horses, and cattle. This book depicts the cowboy at work and at play, at sunrise, and sunset, in all kinds of weather.
These photographs were taken during the past decade in ten western states: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, and California. I photographed cowboys who are living the traditions of the Old West; folks who live the life of a cowboy and strive to preserve the heritage handed down to them. Whether they are working on their own ranch, or on someone else's spread, these men take pride in their gear, their hordes, and the land they care for.
As he did for Cowboy Gear, Scott Preston researched old cowboy poetry to accompany many of the photographs in this book. Jack Goddard contributed a story about the weather which illustrates both the beauty and fury of nature and how it shapes the spirit of the West.
There are interviews with cowboys, short stories about winter in the high country, the western horse, and riding for the brand, all of which are accented by spectacular photographs and illustrations.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: Stoecklein Publishing; 1st edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0922029261
• ISBN-13: 978-0922029266
• Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #832,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DON'T FENCE ME IN, December 16, 1999

By 

Bonnie Long - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Fence Me In: Images of the West (Hardcover)

Being raised in the lifestyle of dusty cowcamps located in Owyhee County, Idaho. I can truly appreciate and so will you, the realism and pride that David Stocklein has taken in compling this magnificient book. Photography and short stories of cowboy tradition, so real, you too, will wish you were a part of this unique and exciting land. Ira Walker, Chuck Hall, Herb Mink, Tom Hall and many more cowboys, will tell of family stories, first jobs, unique talents, special dogs, horses, mules and the people, who have made their lives interesting and memorable. This corner of the west has produced many fine men, you will get to know a few of them on a first hand basis. Gather round the fireplace, pull up a cozy chair and a light, as you will be reading through the dark hours. Once you pick up, "Don't Fence Me", you'll not put it down until your finished. At the end of the book, Stocklein includes closing pictures of assorted ranch families and cowboy groups. A final tribute to those who have rode their way through history atop a horse, all the while viewing Gods Country.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book - for reading, displaying, and dreaming!, June 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Fence Me In: Images of the West (Hardcover)

This is an excellent and realistic book about cowboys, what's important to them, and the gorgeous Western US. The photography is breathtaking - makes you feel as though you're right there ropin' with 'em! The information about horses, cattle, land, family, and attitudes is also well-written. And the Cowboy Contract sets the stage for it all. If you love the West and everything about it - you should have this book!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that captures the spirit of the American Cowboy, September 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Fence Me In: Images of the West (Hardcover)

The first time I laid eyes on David Stoecklein's "Don't Fence Me In", I wanted to quit my job and move to a working ranch in Idaho. This book is full of breathtaking photos of the American Cowboy and the land he works on. Unfortunatly, the art work around the cover is an eyesore and some of the page layouts interfer with the Mr. Stoecklein's fine work. This book is for sure worth the money.