Customer Reviews

Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier

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When the subject of cattle ranching and cowboys comes up, it's usually within the context of the American West. What is not readily evident to most people is that working cattle ranches are a significant factor in Florida's economic well-being and that every day contemporary Floridian cowboys saddle up their horses or fire up their trucks and ride out to care for their herds on over 15,000 ranches where are to be found almost two million head of cattle - representing the unbroken continuation of one of the longest histories of cattle ranching found anywhere in America. Now that legacy in its contemporary setting has been superbly captured on film by Floridian photojournalist Carlton Ward Jr. And published in full color with informative captions as "Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier", a 256-page compendium of memorable images in celebration of Florida cowboys, and all the aspects of who they are and their enduring way of life. Enhanced with the inclusion of twenty informed and informative essays, "Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier" is a highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Regional American History reference collections in general, and Florida History supplemental reading lists in particular.

Great Book!!! What great pictures, we still do have some people that care left don't we? I recommend this book to everyone who loves Florida....From one pioneer to another!!

Most people do not realize that Florida had the first ranches long before the West was ever settled. This book captures the real Florida, not the crazy "Mouse World" culture that has been created. The photographs are stunning and a tribute to the five centuries of heritage that live on in the descendants of the "Cracker" and Seminole Cowboys.

This is a well written book about today's Florida ranchers and their committment to keeping their land in its natural state in a rapidly developing Florida. Florida's ranches add to Florida's economy and protect the environment at the same time. There is a little bit of history on the cattle business and the photography is beautiful.

I purchased several of these books to give to the Dads in our family (husband, sons, nephew) who some years ago raised cows and could identify with much of the book. They will be welcomed gifts on Father's Day; a couple have been presented early, and the recipients think they are awesome! Such beautiful pictures, but appealing to even the roughest of cowboys! On the inside cover I double-stick-taped a copy of each "Dad" when they were young and shown riding a horse. I am so proud to have found these wonderful books!!
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Wonderful coffee table book, the photos are beautiful. Nice gift for Florida residents. they will not believe how beautiful parts of Florida still are.

Beautiful and very moving. The images are breath-taking. This young accomplished photographer is extremely talented and I predict he is really going places. As a Floridian myself with a heart for all things old Florida, this book is a treasure to me.

This is a very good, Coffee Table type book on the original cowboys and ranches in Central and Southern Florida. It contains many beautiful photos of horses, dogs and homesteads. However, it misses greatness by not including more cowboy stories and tales from the cowboys and cowhunters of North Florida. There is only one blurry photo of a supposedly ranch in Washington County. There are a few of the old cowhunters still living in Southern Georgia, Alabama and North Florida (such as George Nelson, Gary "Frog" Nelson, and Dallas Waddell). It would be well timed for the author to do some more research and include these great reminents of the past and "their stories", before they are all gone.

My dad wanted this book for Christmas. I had not seen it or heard of it before. The local chain store had a beat up copy but it at least let me know what I was looking for.

Ward, from a ranching family, has created a beautiful work of art in this book. When most people think of ranches and cowboys they think of a mythical west that may or may not really be. Ward brings us back to reality and shows cowboy life as it is in Florida. Beyond the glitz of Disney and Universal, the speed of Daytona, and the beautiful gulf coast lies a vibrant industry and Ward exposes us to it through his wonderful photography.

For anybody interested in photojournalism, real life cowboys, or Florida history this book would be a welcome addition to their library. Highly recommended.

This a fantastic book! I would vote it the best picture book of all time. Great photojournalism, and phenomenal photography. Carlton Ward, Jr. has an amazing ability to capture great moments, whether still or in motion. He caught amazing images of so many aspects of ranching in Florida; the wonderful people, their daily activities, the cattle, the horses, to the working cattle dogs, all within the beautiful scenery characteristic of Florida ranches. What a tribute to the hardworking ranchers that put the food on our tables. What a gift that Carlton Ward, Jr. has given us, and what a gift he has in his artistry and photographic skill.
Dr. Mel