Sheep: Life On The South Dakota Range (Borealis Books) by Archer B. Gilfillan

by Archer B. Gilfillan

Archer B. Gilfillan was an anomaly. An Ivy League scholar with a broad knowledge of classical literature and a talent for writing, he nonetheless chose to herd sheep from 1916 to 1934 in a lonely, isolated part of the West. Out of this strange juxtaposition of expertise and experience, Gilfillan produced this classic narrative of American sheepherding.First published in 1929, Life on the South Dakota Range provides a personal, informative, and entertaining account of the western sheepherder. From blizzards to predatory wolves, from grass-crazed sheep in the springtime to penny-pinching bosses, Gilfillan misses nothing. He also volunteers his trenchant opinions on modern women, cowboys, and homesteaders—many of whom were his neighbors.In his introduction, Richard W. Etulain, director of the Center for the American West at the University of New Mexico, describes Gilfillan’s life and discusses the appeal of the wide-open West to an urban-industrial nation.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1929

Reviews

[Justin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The edition I read is a 1929 first edition titled simply _Sheep_, but it is the same book. An enjoyable book to read, it is filled with humorous anecdotes. Gilfillan understands sheep and herding like only a true sheepman would, but he tells of his knowledge and experience in a way that even city folk could understand. My favorite parts are when he discusses the conflict between cattlemen and sheepmen. Although separated by 40 years and the Black Hills, His time on the range was still flavored by the Johnson County Cattle wars.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! For 18 years the author lived in a sheepherder's wagon in northwestern South Dakota with his dog and several hundred sheep virtually his sole companions. On most days, his tasks were few, leaving him hours and hours every single day to read (heaven!) He is an excellent writer with a very entertaining and humorous style.

[Cat Pfenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! It reminded me of my visits to Utah, where I got to experience sheep herding in the mountains, which has not changed much in 100 years. After finishing, I gave it to my brother-in-law who owned thousands of sheep for a couple years and had experience of his own herding sheep one summer. I think the stories here will make him laugh.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I am reading the 1957 University of Minnesota Press addition with forward by J. Frank Dobie. Was a best-seller in 1929 and excerpts have appeared in may literature anthologies.

His father was a missionary with the Ojibwe and is credited with much of the documentation of the Ojibwe language (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_G...) Many of his siblings and connected family also were authors, artists and scientists, including an artist who heroically rescued much Bosnian art during the Baltic wars and the discoverer/describer of the physical chemical "Wenzel State."