Cactus Tracks and Cowboy Philosophy (Paperback)

~ Baxter F. Black (Author)
Key Phrases: national insect, border collies, Farmer Lopez, Garth Brooks, New Mexico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Baxter Black, a veterinarian turned writer/troubadour/raconteur and periodic commentator on National Public Radio, has produced a collection of his best anecdotes, songs, poems, and wisdom from the range. "My world is one in which people have lots of wrecks," he reports in Cactus Tracks. "Cow wrecks; horse wrecks; financial wrecks; flood, fire, and drought wrecks. Laughing at our 'wrecks' seems to make the tribulations of our lifestyle easier to handle." Here is the complete collection of his commentaries from NPR's Morning Edition. With subjects ranging from naked wrangling to life lessons ("When our opinions get as immovable as a granite outhouse, God has a way of shaking the foundation"), Baxter drops his reader-listener right into the prickly heart of things. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA?A new source for students who rebel at poetry assignments. Black, known as a "cowboy poet," has gathered together his popular broadcasts on National Public Radio. His prose and poetry are rich in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the ranch, prairie, and high country. According to the author, cowboy life dangles "between humor and tragedy" and laughter helps one to get through the tough times. Some of the selections grab the heart, too, including a Christmas poem, "Joe and Maria, The First Christmas...Cowboy Style." Black has a way with words. A hard rain is a "fish-drownin', hat-soakin', slicker-testin' downpour." Older chickens are "blue-haired layers that had lost their bloom." YAs who dream of living the life of a real, honest-to-John (Wayne) cowboy will hoot and holler at this book, and be inspired to try their own unique way of tellin' a tale.?Judy Sokoll, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Later Printing edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140276831
• ISBN-13: 978-0140276831
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Will Rogers For Our Time, March 11, 2000

By	David M. Garrett (San Antonio, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A few years ago I awoke to National Public Radio's Morning Edition and to the voice of some easy going, homespun cowboy reading a poem that had me in stitches by the third verse. As I read "Cactus Trails..." I could hear Black's easy voice utter each word. While his departure from veterinary medicine is a loss to that community, it is a clear gain for easy going, common sense, sanity seeking people caught in the cross hairs of our cell phone, pager, eEVERYTHING society. Thanks to Baxter Black's commentary and writings we have an excuse to slow down a bit each day and get in touch with the basics. Will Rogers would love this guy!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny with a capital "F"!, October 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cactus Tracks & Cowboy Philosophy (Hardcover)

Baxter has done it again. He manages to mix humor with social commentary, kind'a makes you think and belly laugh at the same time. Some of this book is politically incorrect--well, good for it! this country takes itself far too seriously, and it needs a good makin'-fun-of, and Baxter is the man for the job. You don't have to be a buckaroo or farmer, or vet to "get" these poems and short stories. It helps to be human, and not one encased in a shell of narrow-minded political correctness! One story in particular, about the frozen septic tank lid, had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to have a conniption. Moments of side-splitting laughter are intertwined with real stories of real people that are touchingly poignant. Bax hits the mark here. Great job!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone who has been there; hits the nail on the head., June 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cactus Tracks & Cowboy Philosophy (Hardcover)

A joy to read. Full of cowboy poetry & short stories. Some you could see as vividly as if you were there when it happened. It brings back alot of memories of incidents that have happened to me, or I've been witness to. A must for any cowboy or cowgirl.