Book Description
The cowboy is an American classic who taps into a wellspring of cultural memories. And the most thrilling real-life setting for a modern cowboy is roughstock rodeo, an edge sport that makes professional wrestling look like a picnic. Celebrating this increasingly popular event is Roughstock, the first full-color photography book dedicated solely to rodeo culture. Photojournalist John Annerino's quest to capture this extreme sport on film has come with a cost - he's been clipped by bulls and stomped, kicked, and trampled by broncos. From California to Virginia, Roughstock documents Native American, African-American, all-women, and traditional rodeos with a gallery of unforgettable characters and the animals they try to tame - with 130 full-color shots that are up close, mean, and personal, and never before published. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Let 'er buck . . .
This book is a collection of 110 color photographs that capture the drama, tension, and excitement of the most dangerous rodeo events - bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding. Working out of his home base in Tucson, Arizona, photographer John Annerino has taken his camera behind the chutes, where he gets about as close as any observer can to the experience of riding roughstock.

This is a handsomely designed book, and the photographs are vividly reproduced, the images richly detailed, crisp and clear, often filling the pages. In a two-page spread, a cowboy flies to the ground from a bucking bull, while bull fighters in their clown costumes circle the animal, late afternoon sun casting long shadows and illuminating a cloud of dust kicked up around them. The gravel-strewn arena dirt is rough with the hoof marks of countless rides, and beyond a fence festooned with lite beer pennants, the stands are filled with hundreds of spectators, every face turned toward the action.

Annerino's camera reveals that in addition to the stereotypical cowboy, roughstock riders include Native Americans, African Americans, and women as well. And he writes a long essay at the beginning of the book tracing the arrival of the horse and horsemen at the start of the Spanish Conquest, the growth of the cattle industry and the evolution over centuries of the vaquero and in more recent times the emergence of the American cowboy. This is a fine book whose visual images offer an enthusiastic appreciation of the men and women who risk life and limb in rodeo's toughest events.

Ride 'em Cowboy!
Annerino's pictures are a true testament to his total immersion on the subject! John rides the subject matter like no other.His images do the talking. They take the viewer with him all the way and back! Ride on, John!

A RIVETING ROUNDUP OF ROUGHSTOCK RODEO -True West
A "riveting roundup of roughstock rodeo...readers will hail it as mighty worthwhile."- TRUE WEST

The spirit and tradition of the American west captured.
Roughstock:The Toughest Events in Rodeo joins a growing body of work by the photojournalist John Annerino that portrays the American western culture with a photographic passion and historical perspective. This book portrays "the cowboy" as a diverse and multiethnic persona not the traditional "Marboro Man" and conveys through his thoughtful and well researched essay that the traditional image was never in fact the case. Annerino's photographs show the action of the roughstock rodeo events and bring to life the men and women who participate in them. The images are full of action and the sense of danger and risks are coupled with an intimacy created by his use of light and in his portraits of the cowboys. There is a rhythm and dance to the photos that creates a timelessness to the action. The book is wonderfully edited and layed out and may be the author's finest work to date. ... Read more

Book Description
Description: "Eisner's homage to women at home on the range, is a photo book in the manner of William Klein: gorgeously brazen, blending strident color and cool black & white. Above all, she captures proud horsewomen--a fiery mesh of tomboy and diva." Harper's Bazaar "Former Vogue editrix and fashion muse to hotshot designers, Eisner takes us to a place where acid wash never went out of style, cowboy hats have always been a hot accessory, and line dancing is still going strong." Entertainment Weekly ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Fine Photographs Preserve a Little Bit of History
Rodeo Girl is a spectacular and refreshing collection of photographs that will surely appeal to anyone interested in photography, the rodeo, or both.As an age of technology engulfs our world like a whirlwind, Lisa Eisner's lens takes the viewer through frames of the rodeo as though it were a ballad to an endangered species, a slow, lasting glimpse before it disappears forever into the sunset.Eisner finds in the rodeo what most photographers only dream of -- an opportunity to craft deliberate compositions of the spontaneous.And she takes advantage of that opportunity brilliantly.While many of the photographs are indeed of rodeo girls, the palette of subjects depicted is actually much broader.Personally, I like Eisner's sense of photographic artistry, and the high print quality helps do it justice.Among other things, with photographs in colour as well as black & white, warm tones seem to be preferred throughout which makes for a classic appearance and suits the rodeo theme well.To truly enjoy this book, set aside any preconceived notions you might have, take it one page at a time, and turn each one slowly.Otherwise, you might easily miss barrel racer Katie McCoin at Cheyenne taking time out to write a note to someone, hopeful yet easygoing Candice Fernets at the national high school finals in Gillette beaming a winsome smile wide as the West, champion steer wrestler Denver Gilbert spending a quiet moment in the truck, an ever-patient cowboy on the fence with the sun setting in the background, and many, many more memorable scenes of the rodeo that this wonderful collection of photographs will never let us forget.We are left anxiously awaiting the next rodeo, hopefully with Eisner close behind rounding up another volume of luminous photographs.

DISAPPOINTED!!
I'm really disappointed. As a current title holder and someone who has competed for national titles I don't think this book is really accurate. It is billed as a rodeo queen pictorial, but the pictures are so limited. It's about rodeo culture. Not rodeo queens.

There are so many pictures of random rodeo scenes. In fact, I think it gives the layperson a really negative view of the rodeo culture. The pictures are over exposed and the way they are printed make them seem so dated. It's almost embarrasing. The few pictures that she had of queens weren't great, nothing to write home about. If they were of myself, I probably wouldn't buy the book.

To me it was a disappointing waste of money. But if she got THIS published, I know I could put my personal photos together, not rake the time to title them and be a hit!

Rodeo Girl...a book of pictures
I was disappointed in this book.I have met and spent time with Miss Rodeo America 1999 and 2000, and the Miss Rodeo California's from 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 as well as held rodeo queen titles of my own.

I purchased this book as a resource for rodeo and queen competitions. I expected a book about the life of a rodeo queen and some of the challenges and triumphs that are experienced by the first ladies of rodeo. This book is unfortunately of little to no use for current or potential rodeo queen competitors.

Much to my surprise, this book is a compilation of untitled photos that depict candid images of rodeo queens, children, and cowboys in a variety of rodeo-ish settings. As a coffee table book, this would be great, if all I wanted was a book of pictures.

Nothing could be better
If you have the slightest interest in this book, GET IT! It has the bestphotos of exactly "Rodeo Girl". Lots of sequins, lots of hair. Itlooks great on a coffee table too.

My Review: RODEO GIRL
I am an avid rodeo fan and have been involved with rodeo queens for many years.The pictures in this book are quality pictures that I could relate to and understand.

However, to the lay person, without captions orstories, these pictures don't tell their "story".There areseveral pictures of "rodeo girls", but thetitle doesn'taccurately represent what is inside the book.There is an index in theback of the book that gives a brief description of who is in the picture,but it is difficult to tie to the pictures because they are notnumbered.

A good book, terrific pictures that tell a story, but not abook that would appeal to a broad group of people. ... Read more

Book Description
Hockey is booming in the minor pro leagues south of the Mason-Dixon line, with the epicenter being the Texas Sunbelt, home to more pro hockey teams than any other province or state including Ontario and Michigan. Zamboni Rodeo follows the fortunes of the Austin Ice Bats as they wander across Texas, living on junk food and beer, practicing in deserted malls, and navigating slushy ice in too-warm arenas. Writer Jason Cohen joined the team in the locker room between periods, suffered through every lurching bus ride and fog-delayed game, and even spent a night in the penalty box in his quest — hilariously documented here — to know heartland hockey in all its sorry glory. Photographs add to this lively, irreverent ride through the heady world of bush-league hockey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Zamboni Rodeo for RW
Zamboni Rodeo is about Jason Cohen, the Author, who whent on the rode with the Austin Ice Bats and followed them through one whole season. There Cohen found out what Texas Hockey was all about: booze, broken buses, late games, practicing in broken down malls, and potato chips. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was full of laughs and excitment. I think Cohen is a really good writer who putsexteme amounts of detail into every scentence in the book that makes it seem like your are right there next to him. This book is great, and I would recomend it to everyone.

Hard to follow at times, but a good read
It's tough at times to keep up with all of the players, but for anyone interested to see what goes on behind the scenes of low level minor league hockey this is a great book.I really enjoyed it.

Zamboni Rodeo
A nice slice of Americana, viewed in the context of a vehicle that gets (sadly) little respect in this country.As a hocley fan you can pick up the lingo and imagine what is going to happen, as a sports fan you can identify the heiarchy of the athletic food chain, as a human being you can see the pathos of striving to attain a goal or just surviving to the next day.
A good read....recommended.

Great title. Very good book.
I enjoyed it, but then I have three sons playing youth hockey.

It's another depiction of the stark truth for anyone dreaming of fame and fortune through athletics. Each of the players portrayed in this true story was outstanding as a kid, but here they are in small towns, far from their homes in the frozen North, playing in front of enthusiastic but mostly oblivious audiences, and worse yet are soon to be retired by minor league hockey's equivalent of term limits. But they're having fun with each other and getting paid. Problem is their fame is fleeting and spread narrow, and their fortune is short-lived and small.

The book is also a good introduction to life on the road for anyone willing to try it for a time, hopefully after laying a solid foundation for the future (college degree or whatever fits the particular kid). The "where are they now" appendix should be sobering for anyone who is college-bound but instead chooses minor league hockey.

There are plenty of funny anecdotes, but it's not a joke book. I couldn't keep the characters straight, maybe since I read it in bits and snatches over a period of weeks, or maybe because they aren't that well drawn, given so many players doing the same basic job in this relatively short book.

The book could also entertain someone who just likes sports in general or who is interested in this region of the country (New Mexico to Louisiana), but no character or theme is fully developed. Not that the author intended to or must do.

Awesome book!
For anyone who loves hockey, this is a GREAT book!Especially for minor league hockey fans.You feel like you are on the bus, in the locker room, etc.I can't say enough how much I love the book.Great job Jason! ... Read more

Product Description
Tommy Sheffield has lived the life of one of rodeo's top bullfighters and rodeo clowns for four decades. He tells his story and the story of more than 30 other Best Supporting Actors, rodeo's top bullfighters, barrelman and rodeo clowns. Hundreds of photos help profile the lives and careers, while offering the reader a behind the scenes looks at the lives of rodeo clowns. Out-of-print for more than 30 years, this book is part of the new Rodeo Legend Series from Wild Horse Press. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

What are you waiting for?
This book is very interesting...I loved reading all the biographies of great rodeo clowns.Lots of interesting information that I never knew ...some new faces too.The pictures alone make this book a must have!!!!

A great look at the legendary rodeo clowns and bullfigthters
Tommy Sheffield helps document the history of more than 30 of rodeo's top rodeo clowns and bullfighters. Today they prefer terms life cowboy protectors, but this book tells the story when they were clowns and bullfighters who had to entertain the crowd and make them laugh, while saving the bull riders from rampaging bulls. Many of the name's in this book are all but forgotten in rodeo, so Sheffield has provided a service to the men and the sport by keeping their memories alive. One of the best features in the book are dozens of photgraphs that also help document the history and the men. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

At the annual Houston Livestock Show, Jake unwittingly frees the animals from their pens-now it's up to him to corral the wild stampede back up again.From the cows playing volleyball with the cowboys to the pigs on paddleboats, things get out of hand mighty quick.As heifers, chickens, rabbits, and pigs run wild around the rodeo, Jack devises a clever plan to herd up the livestock and save the show from disaster.Children will be delighted with Jack's solution.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Another rip-roaring adventure in Texas
After accidentally causing a catastrophe in Dallas at the State Fair, our hero, Jake, has now created another one in Houston. When he inadvertently lets loose all the animals at the Houston Rodeo Livestock Show, another riotous adventure begins. With heifers playing volleyball with a broncobuster, rabbits on roller coasters and bulls turning the Chili Cook-Off into a vegetarian contest, the fun never ends.
Kids will love Jakes's ingenious solution to the chaos. ... Read more

Product Description
Can armadillos really ride horses and eat Bar-B-Q? A very cute story in a large (approx. 8.5 x 10.5 inch) paperback book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Coming of age in a revolutionary way
When you read as much as I do, you relish finding authors new to you who have the knack of creating characters that are not characatures and putting them in situations that are far from ordinary.I discovered Sarah Bird thanks to amazon surfing, and marvel that I've never heard of her before.As opposed to the cookie cutter plots so prevalent in chicklit offerings so "hot" today, her approach is truly original.She deserves a much greater readership.I love passing her books around and introducing her to others.

More Sarah Bird
While I can't say this was a wonderful book, it certainly was a lot of fun. I truly enjoy reading Sarah Bird... her characters are so real, yet so unique.

My favorite book of hers, the Boyfriend School was so great, I looked everywhere to find more by her. And it was only when I found her on Amazon that my thirst was sort of quenched.

If you like reading fun stories, that stand apart from the usual stuff, her books are it.

More, Please!
This humorous and touching tale captivated my attention and had me searching through the dictionary. The heroine's vocabulary is impressive to say the least. I enjoyed the search for her father even though I had a goodidea of who it would be. This book is as good as the author's others and Ionly want to know one thing...When will we be lucky enough to read a newnovel by Sarah Bird?

The best journey is one you didn't plan on taking.
Sonja K. Getz, a young woman in search of her father, dismantles the shrine to him on her closet floor, packs all her important belongings in one suitcase, and leaves her mother and new step-father.Forcing herbig-shouldered way into the company of Prairie James -- a man well on hisway to being a has-been trick roper and whom she half-suspects as being herfather -- Sonja starts her journey as a quest for an unknown man only tohave it become a discovery of the unknown woman she has been suppressing. All of her formidable education can not prepare her for what she is aboutto learn on the small town rodeo circuit.A great cast of charactersabound -- misfits, superficially, but each the star of a little moralityplay. ... Read more

Book Description
The Helldivers frequently dive past 200 feet into the murky salt wash of the Gulf of Mexico, through the sea-life-covered steel beams of a giant oil platform. Members of different scuba/fishing clubs get together annually to compete. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Great Book to Read While On A Diving Trip
If you like Hunter S. Thompson's brand of gonzo journalism you will like this book, although it is certainly milder than "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", but the style is similar.I read it while on a liveaboard in the Caribbean, and it is definitely of interest to scuba divers.All in all, a most enjoyable read.

I couldn't put it down!!!
This is probably one of the most enjoyable books I have read in the last five years.The author and his cohorts are definitely brave, almost certainly missing a few screws and possibly suicidal, but they enjoy what they are doing so much that after a while the insanity of it all doesn't seem to matter.Stories about divers diving with football helmets so they don't get knocked out on the steel beams of the oil rig and the stalking of sharks (!!) in the opaque murk at the bottom of the sea floor would seem farcical or just stupid coming from almost anyone else, but when Fontova writes it is riveting, believable and also hilarious.

Fontova is often brutally honest about the risks that the rig-divers take.While his writing clearly expresses the enjoyment and thrill of this type of spear fishing, he does not try to glorify it or to imply that it is safe or easy or simple, because it is none of those things.

One of the best things about this book is also one of the most unexpected: it's not just about hunting, it's about everything else too.In between the stories about the dives, Fontova talks about south Louisiana culture, the workings and modification of spear guns, the theory of operation behind scuba gear, the rules for how deep and how long it is considered safe to dive (after which he talks about how the rig divers exceed all limits of safety or even common sense on their dives), the dynamics of the mixing of the Mississippi River water with the Gulf of Mexico water, a brief history of oil rigs, basic fish anatomy and the types and temperament of fish seen around the rigs, why Jacques Cousteau once gave a talk at a local dive shop, a first-person perspective on Che Guevera, and dozens of other things besides.

This is really an excellent book that I have recommended and will continue to recommend to family and friends.The only people who probably won't like it are anti-hunting activists and those that feel Prohibition should never have been repealed.Aside from them, it has something for everyone.

It takes guts
As a diver and avid spearfisherman I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish.Humberto expertly illustrates the essence of what it takes to dive on an oil platform.This aspect of scuba diving is definitely not for the faint at heart.His light humor throughout the book as he describes his dive buddies, friends, and adventures keeps your attention and adds to the story.I've never dived on an oil platform or "rig" as they are called, but after reading the book and hearing about all the big fish lurking below, I'm looking into making a trip to good ole Louisiana.Although he describes hunting 100 lbs plus fish, I'd settle for the 30 pounders.His stories of murky waters, sharks, eels, and angry trigger fish make you think twice about actually diving in, but hey, that is what makes for great diving stories.My hat off to Humberto.I only wish his book had more stories...at 203 pages, my appetite was just getting wet. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Simply outstanding
Lynn Campion grew up in Colorado where sports and horses were her major interests, moving to Idaho and Montana to run a ranch and raise a family. Her national recognition as a cutting horse non-pro champion and her rodeo insights from the inside contribute to Rodeo: Behind The Scenes At America's Most Exciting Sport. Most rodeo coverages either provide a single biographical focus on a rodeo star, or a review of rodeo in general: Campion's is one of the few to focus almost exclusively behind the scenes, covering everything from saddle terminology and preparation of equipment to how to buffer a fall. Simply outstanding.

Excellent Resource
I've read almost all the non-fiction rodeo books currently in print--from Chris LeDoux's Gold Buckle Dreams to the other coffee table books, and this is by far the most comprehensive, accurate "Rodeo 101"-type book.

It's not full of road stories or psychology or Hollywood flash, but if you want to get screwed down tight on the basics of rodeo, this is The One. Great photos, too...

Western Opinion
This great book re-defines rodeo as a serious sport informed by the rich ranching tradion of the West.It is the only sport that has grown out of a way of life.Campion's love of the events and animals shows through again and again. Her understanding of the process and attention to detail informs all who read the book.This is a great addition to the genre, the best.

A Great Gift
This book unfolds the legend of Rodeo. Between the entrancing photographs and the insider's view into this unique world, Campion beautifully captures a tradition that is the last vestige of the American West.The perfect gift for the rodeo enthusiast or anyone new to the sport.

Beautiful and thorough
Lynn Campion has done the unthinkable:she's written a readable coffee table book.Each rich photograph is worthy of the 1,000 words that follow, providing the reader with a behind-the-scenes look at the art and sport of rodeo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Punkin rollins and jackpot rodeos. . .
This is a fine collection of 86 black-and-white photographs taken by photographer Joanne Berghold at small town rodeos around Montana in the 1990s and early 2000s. Unlike the commercialized rodeo to be seen in today's PRCA circuit, these local rodeos capture the spirit of the sport as it emerged in the early 20th century -- a family-oriented affair that brought the whole rural community together for a once-a-year celebration. Look at these pictures, and what you often see instead of covered bleachers and flashy corporate sponsor billboards is a wire arena fence with trucks and cars pulled up to it and open prairie or hills beyond. The parking lot is grass-covered, and horse trailers are parked under the trees.

The opening images set the tone of the book -- gravel roads with grass and weeds right to the edges, leading to a low horizon, where clouds drift in a big sky, a veil of rain falling into a distant mountain ridge. Then in the photographs that follow there's the contrasting activity of small town life, strung out along a treeless main street, and the gathering of people at the rodeo grounds.

A cowboy in black hat, wranglers and spurs checks out the draw for the events posted on the side of a trailer, a young girl practices roping a hay bale, hats are placed over hearts in the grandstands and in the crow's nest for the Pledge of Allegiance, horses in the dusty light move into a holding pen, a cowboy bows his head in prayer on the top rail of a chute over a saddled bronc, riders one after another take spills off bucking rough stock. The arena itself may be dusty dirt or waterlogged mud. A roper waits, eyes set in concentration, a piggin string clamped in his mouth under a full mustache; a young bulldogger skids boots first in the dirt, his arms locked around the horns of a calf. There are team ropers, barrel racers, young bull riders taping up, and bullfighters in clown makeup. In the end, buckles are awarded to the winners, cowboys head out with war bags over their shoulders, and horses move up loading chutes into a trailer.

The book is a tribute to a western tradition and way of life, still close to its roots in the workaday world of ranchers and cowboys. It includes an essay by Kim Zupan, a gifted writer and former rough-stock rider. All photos were taken in Montana in rural small towns like Boulder, Belt, Wilsall, and Roundup. ... Read more

Book Description
Under the guidance of veteran cowboy Jack Lomas, youngClay Tory has steadily risen in the rodeo ranks. But the two are thrown like a greenhorn from a bronco when suspicious mishaps befall Clay's fellow riders. It turns out that someone's trying to fix the contest in their favor, and they want Clay and Jack out of commission--permanently.

#2nd in Series ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A wonderful series by Mike Flanagan
When I started reading "Cowboy Up!", the first in a Rodeo Riders series by Mike Flanagan, it was the first I had been exposed to his writings. I read the book and was amazed at his style of writing and smoothflow. I am now a fan of Mike Flanagan's books. His understanding of humannature is expressed in a great way in the way that he writes and hischaracters come alive and you wish that you were there, living it alongwith them. In "Rigged to Ride", his next installment, it evengets better. Mike continues with his principal characters, Jack and Clay,but now adds Tamara. He uses no curse words, uses no foul behaviorassociated with drinking or carousing, and just does a splendid job! Iwould say that he has my interest and I will purchase all of his books. Inthis story, there is a gambling syndicate involved with rodeoing and itintensifies as the book goes on. But also, in the midst of all thetroubles, Jack and Clay and Tamara, and a host of other noteablecharacters, do not respond with violence or hatred, but rather withcomposure. This is what really marks the book and Mike Flanagan's writingstyle. He has not bowed to the typical 90's style of writing, whichincludes cursing, violence and hatred, but rather a smooth flow of humanlove of the characters involved. Justice still gets served, but in a wholenew way, which may be unfamiliar to us today. You will absolutely love thisbook. Well done, Mike Flanagan!

Another great rodeo adventure!
Clay Tory has turned pro in the rodeo circuit, riding saddle bronc, bareback and bull.He is working his way up the PRCA standings, traveling with good friend and surrogate father, Jack Lomas.Clay even has agirlfriend, barrel racer Tamara Allen.Everything should be perfect, butthe top rodeo contenders are suddenly the victims of pranks, keeping themfrom competing.Clay and Jack are suspicious, but it isn't until Clay isviciously attacked, his riding hand mangled, that serious investigationsbegin.The trail leads to a group of wealthy gamblers betting on thestandings, but which of them is organizing the escalating attacks?

Wow,Flanagan's done it again.This is number 2 in the Rodeo Riders series, onethat I hope has a long and healthy life.I was instantly drawn into Jackand Clay's lives, on and off the rodeo circuit.And Tamara is a fineaddition to the growing family of friends and associates.Cowboy up andget this book.You won't regret it! ... Read more

Book Description