Customer Reviews

Wild Cow Tales

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wild cows, as the author explains, are just plain ornery, uncooperative cattle that resist all efforts to be rounded up. As a young Texas cowboy in the 1920s and 30s, Green made a living going after these hard-to-catch cattle, and this book is a collection of accounts of his successes (if he ever missed any, he doesn't mention it). Usually he works alone, on horseback, gathering up cows a few at a time and driving them to the nearest train station where they can be shipped to market. Typically he has worked a deal with the owner, buying them "range delivery," and spending sometimes many weeks to outsmart the critters, often one by one, to get them roped, corralled, or whatever it takes.

A young, tough, wild cowboy, as he often refers to himself, he has more than his share of hot, sweaty work, getting bunged up, frustrated, and frequently outmaneuvered. On one job, he's also shunned by a whole community of folk who regard him with disdain as he works to gather up a herd of cows for a bank collecting a bad debt. Each account is different, presenting a very different situation, and Green takes the reader along as he mulls over the problem, tries this and then that, eventually finding a solution.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a departure from other books about cowboying, and it gets very much into cowboy psychology and the wealth of knowledge acquired in dealing daily with cattle. Green writes in a conversational style, with dry humor and a leisurely way of setting scenes and describing action, meanwhile building a kind of suspense as he figures out each time how to outsmart his "wild cows."

Thanks to the University of Nebraska Press for reprinting this and many other classics of western literature. Western illustrator Lorence Bjorklund provides many fine drawings, and with the cover design from a painting by W.H.D. Koerner they capture the spirit of this book wonderfully. I happily recommend this informative and entertaining book to anyone with an interest in cattle ranching and cowboys.

Ben Green probably writes one of the best cowboy stories I've ever read. A book full of short stories that are enjoyable for the adult as well as the kid.

All of Ben K. Green's books are great. What a wonderful way to go back into time. He really makes you understand what life was like in the Texas hill country.

i,m into the cowboy scene.i,ve worked on a ranch in west texas one year,that was the best time of my life.for the review,i read wild cow tales quite a few years ago.i was able to get caught up in the stories,if anybody is into livestock working or otherwise,they can relate to Mr.Ben Green and his stories.hope to get all of his books.thanks for making the available.veral overstreet. p.s. i purchased this book for my great nephew who is seven years old.every since he has been able to talk all that he has wanted to do is be a bullrider.i hope he gets as much enjoyment from the book as i did,again, thanks

This is a wonderful book, interesting & lots of humor, as in all Doc Green's books! I've bought them all and wish he'd been able to write 50 more! I'd buy every one! DnGu3

Having worked as a cowboy like Ben Green, before he (and I) took up other occupations, I can attest to the fact that he had a working familiarity with cows and their habits and behavior that could only have been gained by actual experience. The attitude of a cowboy is always hard to explain to those who have never been one, but Ben does as well as anyone I know of. As a writer of western books and stories myself, I would like to give him five stars and a tip of the hat for truthfully documenting a way of life that deserves to be a part of our western history.

Hungry Flats: East of Lucia

The Pleyto Hills

WILD COW TALES is classic documentation of an authentic western lifestyle. It is obvious that Ben Green actually lived the life he writes of. His writing smacks of an authenticity that could only come from actual experience.

Very entertaining and informative for those who are interested in ranch life and livestock.


The Pleyto Hills


Hungry Flats: East of Lucia

Husband read it and liked it. I'm about half way through. Nice that the stories are short and you can set it down while life interferes with your reading. Meantime we bought this to read then pass on to a brother out of the country who requested it. This author did a number of other books in the same vein and style. Horse tales too. Search or click on his name at the top of the page here. I think if you are raised outwest and
involved with the outdoor world this might appeal to you. But if you are from the city maybe not so much...then again perhaps you'll catch Wild Cow Fever after reading this and go off to live your version of City Slickers. Also if you like dated stories these are to some extent but still very enjoyable and would appeal to people who remember that era as well as just enjoys reading about that time in life. Politic's and times have certainly changed since then.

What a great look back at what times were like in the life of a real cowboy. Well written. I really liked that he told stories that showed his mistakes and victories. I have shared these books with friends. All really enjoyed them as much as I did.