Cowboy Life on the Sidetrack: Accounts of Cattle Drives, Railroads, Indians & Characters of the Old West

This concise book concentrates on the cowboys and the characters and events which surrounded them during the halcyon days of the 'Wild West' in 19th century America. The author writes from a position of authority, for he worked as a cowboy himself for a while and with them for over thirty years of his life on the plains of Wyoming. The railroad was an essential part of the cowboy's story and indeed it became the ultimate destination, for without it their valuable livestock would never have reached the insatiable markets of the North American continent. The railroad featured in this book-the great Union Pacific-runs unerringly through the pages of this narrative just as it should. Cowboys were well known for spinning yarns to entertain themselves around the campfire after the day's work was done and there is certainly an element of that in this book, as each chapter has its own theme or concentrates on the exploits of a single character-whether hostile Indian, good man or villain. While tall-tales might be suspected, the author asserts the authenticity of what he has written and so the reader can look forward to real insights into the raucous and freewheeling lives of the men and women who helped found a nation.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.