Thunder of the Mustangs: Legend and Lore of the Wild Horses [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Mark Spragg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Wild horses have become icons of a contemporary longing, a yearning for freedom. Hated by the rancher, loved by those who fear its disappearance from the western ranges, the American mustang has inspired passionate efforts to preserve the few remaining wild herds. Thunder of the Mustangs celebrates the legend and lore of this American icon in nine original and previously published essays and legends by leading American nature writers, cowboys, and folklorists. The essays are coupled with stunning photographic portfolios by some of the nation's best nature and wildlife photographers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books for Children; 1 edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871569744
• ISBN-13: 978-0871569745
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,170,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wild horses captured on film, February 14, 2003

By 

Ronald Scheer "rockysquirrel" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thunder of the Mustangs: Legend and Lore of the Wild Horses (Hardcover)

Although the original essays and reprinted material in this book make fine reading, the real contributors are the 13 photographers whose images of mustangs on nearly every page will please anyone with an interest in horses and the landscape of the Western states. Some shots are of horses grazing or standing still, looking back at the photographer, ears up and altert, but most are of horses in motion, sometimes in tight telephoto closeup, sometimes against rolling hills or sage-covered flatland. There are many kinds of weather as well, foggy, stormy, snow, wind, spring sunshine, dusty summer, and horses of all colors and markings. A handful of shots include saddled horses with cowboys.

The book has also been very handsomely designed. Page layout, typography, end papers, variety of image placement and use of white space, balancing of images and text, all serve the subject wonderfully and please the eye. Nearly all the photographs selected are crisply cear, motion frozen with a high-speed shutter. The wide pages make possible many double-page spreads that look and feel panoramic.

Editor Mark Spragg has brought together the work of seven writers, including himself, and an Assiniboine tale to accompany the images. The writings are mostly contemporary, but a few hark back to earlier times, such as Charley Russell's cowboy theory about the origins of horseback riding and Ben Green's account of trying to capture a band of mustangs, while nearly losing his hand to an infected horse bite. Spragg's harrowing essay "Wintering" appeared later in his collection of essays, "Where Rivers Change Direction." There's also an informative essay by New York Times writer Verlyn Klinkenborg, who writes eloquently of the rural life and has visited wild-horse territory earlier in his book "Making Hay."

I highly recommend this beautiful book to lovers of horses, good writing, and the Western landscape.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect embodiment of horse lore and behavior, March 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Thunder of the Mustangs: Legend and Lore of the Wild Horses (Hardcover)

This book reads like a group of short stories, of which they are all by different authors. The combination of their stories gives one the true feeling of the multitude of facets of the wild horses. It will make you realize they are carved out of the landscape, and an intrical part of nature. A creature of survival sometimes at the risk of their very own life. The stories are memorable and unforgettable. A definate must for the armchair western adventurer.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book that captures the spirit of the wild horse., December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Thunder of the Mustangs: Legend and Lore of the Wild Horses (Hardcover)

This is a great book for anyone interested in the Mustangs. It shares stories and legends of wild horses and people's interactions with them. The stories range from heart warming to tearful. Each brings you a step closer to understanding the difference of the wild and domesticated horse. Throughout the book are beautiful pictures that capture the spirit of the mustangs.