Customer Reviews

Ranch Boy

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Ranch Boy is a my own personal time machine back to a Florida that no longer exists. So much of what author Steve Robertson writes about rings with a sincerity of times, if not forgotten, certainly long gone. A touching, personal memoir of mid-century Florida, Ranch Boy brings to life a certain ethos of growing up in Florida before the state was raped by developers,and quick buck bunco artists ( politicians, et all ). An interesting comparison can be made with the wonderful novels by noted Mayport, Florida author William Reynolds and his series of semi-autobiographical books about a certain time in Florida that now resides only in memory.
This is not a story about beaches and palm trees. Rather, it is set in mid state Florida where cowboys roam the prairie paddocks wrangling cattle amid the palm hammocks. Many adventures and moments of self discovery lead the reader down a path of keenly affected poignancy. At least it did for me. But then I lived his life ( though several steps removed ) here in North Florida. Overall, if you are of a certain age, Ranch Boy will will provide you with an unable to put down page turner. Alternately sweet and salty ( not for children under the age of sixteen! ) this first time effort from Mr. Robertson is a wonderful read for those late nights in the bedroom when the lights are burning low, the clock says 2am, and you promise yourself that you'll stop at the end of the chapter. You won't. This is good stuff and well done. Kudos to the author.
One last note: Mr. Robertson apparently did much of he artwork himself. The man is as gifted an artist as he is a writer. The pictures alone are worth the price of admission. Is it possible to obtain prints suitable for framing through Amazon? If not, they should be.

I enjoyed reading this engaging coming-of-age tale of a young man who learns life's lessons through hard work and perseverance in the late 1950's in rural Central Florida.

As I followed the main character, 15 year old Robbie Duncan, through his struggles with growing up and falling in love, I couldn't help but remember my own coming-of-age trials and tribulations and the lessons I learned along the way.

Thank you, Mr. Robertson, for this trip down memory lane. I loved every minute of it!

Ranch Boy is a story of a young boy ... in Love. He's in love with a new girl he just met, he's in love with being a cowboy, and he's in love with life as a football star. This kid truly enjoys spending a day under the hot sun working like a dog... you see, he is in love with life.

This is also a story about values. Real values. The kind of values that are attained by constantly applying yourself to new and changing situations. The "Boy" must become a ranch hand. Every day on the ranch is another experience in humility. The boy has one of my favorite qualities, he can laugh at himself. He takes his knocks many times. He gets zapped with a "Hot Shot" and covered in cow dung. He delivers a calf with his bare hands (no! every inch of his entire arm) and finally faces the most fearsome of bulls, the Brahma.

The story takes place in Florida. There isn't a lot of turf in the USA like Florida (or anyplace for that matter). So be prepared for a little change of pace in the local flora and fauna department. How about Gators and Butt-Headed cows?

Finally, there is Jane. LOOK OUT! She's young, hot, in love with the boy, and ready to experiment with her newly aquired power of sexuality. Both sets of parents are out to stifle the relationship. The boy does his best to deal with Jane, the parents, and "the animal in his pants".

Mr Robertson not only tells a good story but adds his own illustrations to the text. He's an accomplished artist.

Bottom line for me... this is a great book for the nightstand. A chapter or two before sleep makes for a good end of the day.

I just loved reading this book. The only thing I didn't like about it was it ended. I was left wanting to read more. The chacters in this story really come to life due to Mr. Robinsons great writing skills and vivid descriptions. It sure brought back a flood of memories when I was younger. I can't wait to read more from this author. Ranch Boy is a hit!

Set in Sebring, Florida about 1959, the story is intentionally written as a sweet, simple tale of human metamorphosis of a child as he experiences hard work on the ranch, scary events with the huge animals, exhausting work in the orange groves, success on the football field and his first love affair which result in a transition from the child to a strong, well-adjusted adult. It is a story that everyone of us has lived as we have all traveled the journey to adulthood. What were the things that happened to you when you were 13, 14, 15 and 16 that set the path to who you are? What was your first real (adult type) affair with a member of the opposite sex like? I would rate the story PG and suggest that it is appropriate for individuals 15 years and above although, especially by today's standards, there is nothing really bad in it...

First time author Steve Robertson has penned an intriguing, very accurate story of growing up in 1950's Central Florida. Written as a coming-of-age tale, it takes the reader from Robbie Duncan's first pangs of puppy love through the agonies of summer high school football training to a heart-stopping, breath-taking, gut-wrenching confrontation with a full ton of murderous Brahman bull gone wild. For those of us born and raised in the Florida of the 1950's, this Old Florid narrative will bring back the nostalgia of youth.

Set in rural Florida, Ranch Boy by H. Steven Robertson is a story about coming of age, as a young man by the name of Robbie Duncan matures and yearns for freedom from his father's stern and absolute control. Fulfilling his dream of becoming a cowboy, Robbie soon learns that the reality of ranch work is far harsher than the dreamy illusions he once held, as tending to animals and laboring in orange groves is physically exhausting work. Yet satisfaction and independence come of a job done well, in this moving and thoroughly entertaining story of personal growth and accomplishment.

Steve Robertson and I both grew up in Sebring. He was the handsome jock; I was the martial arts geek who didn't play team sports. He grew up with a militant, demanding father. I was sort of a "preacher's kid," but no less demanded of.

Those insignificant differences in background aside, I loved Ranch Boy. Steve has a simple style of writing that draws you right into the world of the teenage protagonist. His descriptions of the town, the people, (many identified by their real names), the work on the ranch, his neighborhood, and especially the boy's relationship with "Jane," are so accurate and poignant that no one who grew up in that place and time could possibly do other than identify strongly.

I knew Steve at that age. I knew the people he writes about, the teenage doubts (although he doesn't admit to many), the ideals and mores of the time, the young people he grew up with, dated, palled around with, played ball with, worked on the ranch with, and loved. He's got it dead on. If you remember the early '60's...if you were an adolescent in those far more innocent days...then you owe it to yourself to read Ranch Boy. If you don't, obviously you won't be sorry...but you'll sure as hell be missing a wonderfully nostalgic experience, and a good tale as well.

H. Steven Robertson explores the youth of a boy growing up in Central Florida on a ranch, with livestock, orange groves, and role models that chart his destiny. He learns from the school of hard knocks when it came to roping cattle, playing football, and enduring his perfectionist father. He too learns about love innocently and expresses his thoughts, fanatasies, and desires in words perfectly written from an adolescent male perspective.
The illustrations do justice to the many experiences Robbie faced as he grew up. You will read this book and yearn for more of Robbie Duncan's future.

I was thoroughly surprised at this gifted author's writing. I happened to grow up during this time in the same place and Steven was my classmate and friend. Last year he started emailing me in San Diego, CA, and I was very impressed at his writing skills. I was touched by the authenticity of his depiction of our small town of Sebring and his life and growing up. His book was such a walk down memory lane for me as well as a touching revelation of the life experience of the time. The author shows much growth through his story and his ability to write it all down today in a way that is intriguing to the reading population. I would reccommend this book highly to those who enjoy reality, humor and growth experiences. Steven has certainly presented a book that will captivate your heart and feelings. This work could be a help to others who are struggling with their own past hurts and events of growing up in the late 50's and early 60's. It was a very personal story to me as I was a part of this scenario. Congratulations, Steve!