Cowboy Life: The Letters of George Philip

by George Philip, Mick B. Harrison (Illustrator), Cathie Draine (Editor)

Philip's tales emphasize the simple pleasures and hard work of cowboy life. His writing details the cowboy's day-to-day work, from from branding and roping to navigating across the plains by stars and buttes as the great open range slowly closes up.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ryan Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the epistolary form of this book really helped to flesh it out and make it entertaining. The anecdotes are funny and the information is very, very genuine. The author of the letters, George Philip, is undoubtedly reliable as well as he is extremely savvy. Probably the most admirable characteristic of this manuscript is the literary nature of the letters.

It would behoove anybody looking to learn about the lifestyle and history of the cowboy on the range of South Dakota before the turn of the twentieth century to read this book. Cowboy Life: The Letters of George Philip is unabashed and real. It’s a book full of informative anecdotes, timeless curiosity, and enviable as well as unenviable tales of a lifestyle long gone and, arguably, forgotten.

Perhaps, the most intriguing thing about the book is its honesty. There are parts of it that, by today’s standards, are completely politically incorrect and insincere; however, if the editors and publisher had changed those aspects, the credibility of the manuscript would have been ruined. The author neither embellishes the ugliness of human nature during those times nor does he come off as unapologetic; but he tells the stories and lessons nonetheless.

I would suggest this book to anyone looking to learn more about the lives of cowboys during the last leg of the legendary American West.

[Marge Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good