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Black Cowboys in the American West: On the Range, on the Stage, behind the Badge
Who were the black cowboys? They were drovers, foremen, fiddlers, cowpunchers, cattle rustlers, cooks, and singers. They worked as wranglers, riders, ropers, bulldoggers, and bronc busters. They came from varied backgrounds—some grew up in slavery, while free blacks often got their start in Texas and Mexico. Most who joined the long trail drives were men, but black women also rode and worked on western ranches and farms.
The first overview of the subject in more than fifty years, Black Cowboys in the American West surveys the life and work of these cattle drivers from the years before the Civil War through the turn of the twentieth century. Including both classic, previously published articles and exciting new research, this collection also features select accounts of twentieth-century rodeos, music, people, and films. Arranged in three sections—“Cowboys on the Range,” “Performing Cowboys,” and “Outriders of the Black Cowboys”—the thirteen chapters illuminate the great diversity of the black cowboy experience.
Like all ranch hands and riders, African American cowboys lived hard, dangerous lives. But black drovers were expected to do the roughest, most dangerous work—and to do it without complaint. They faced discrimination out west, albeit less than in the South, which many had left in search of autonomy and freedom. As cowboys, they could escape the brutal violence visited on African Americans in many southern communities and northern cities.
Black cowhands remain an integral part of life in the West, the descendants of African Americans who ventured west and helped settle and establish black communities. This long-overdue examination of nineteenth- and twentieth-century black cowboys ensures that they, and their many stories and experiences, will continue to be known and told.
The first overview of the subject in more than fifty years, Black Cowboys in the American West surveys the life and work of these cattle drivers from the years before the Civil War through the turn of the twentieth century. Including both classic, previously published articles and exciting new research, this collection also features select accounts of twentieth-century rodeos, music, people, and films. Arranged in three sections—“Cowboys on the Range,” “Performing Cowboys,” and “Outriders of the Black Cowboys”—the thirteen chapters illuminate the great diversity of the black cowboy experience.
Like all ranch hands and riders, African American cowboys lived hard, dangerous lives. But black drovers were expected to do the roughest, most dangerous work—and to do it without complaint. They faced discrimination out west, albeit less than in the South, which many had left in search of autonomy and freedom. As cowboys, they could escape the brutal violence visited on African Americans in many southern communities and northern cities.
Black cowhands remain an integral part of life in the West, the descendants of African Americans who ventured west and helped settle and establish black communities. This long-overdue examination of nineteenth- and twentieth-century black cowboys ensures that they, and their many stories and experiences, will continue to be known and told.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2016
8 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 1, 2026
Meticulously researched and deeply engaging, Black Cowboys in the American West explores the impact Black cowboys had on the Wild West. They once made up a quarter of all cowboys, yet their contributions have been largely erased from history, Hollywood, and popular imagination. This book restores these stories, showing how central Black people were to the economic, cultural, and social fabric of the region.
The book is organized into three parts:
1. Cowboys on the Range explores Black cowboys’ roles in the livestock industry before and after Emancipation, daily life on the range, and highlights figures like Mathew “Bones” Hooks, Nat Love, “80 John” Wallace, and Johana July.
2. Performing Cowboys focuses on Black cowboys in entertainment, including rodeos, Herb Jeffries’ film career, and musical traditions tied to cowboy life.
3. Outriders of the Black Cowboys highlights other influential Black figures such as “Stagecoach Mary” Fields, Charley Willis, lawman Bass Reeves, and the Black experience in Dodge City during its wild west era. Probably my favorite section of the book.
You’d think a multi-author essay collection might feel uneven or dry at some points but nope. It was a joy to read and if you are interested in cowboys and/or the American West, grab this book. Five stars, easy.
The book is organized into three parts:
1. Cowboys on the Range explores Black cowboys’ roles in the livestock industry before and after Emancipation, daily life on the range, and highlights figures like Mathew “Bones” Hooks, Nat Love, “80 John” Wallace, and Johana July.
2. Performing Cowboys focuses on Black cowboys in entertainment, including rodeos, Herb Jeffries’ film career, and musical traditions tied to cowboy life.
3. Outriders of the Black Cowboys highlights other influential Black figures such as “Stagecoach Mary” Fields, Charley Willis, lawman Bass Reeves, and the Black experience in Dodge City during its wild west era. Probably my favorite section of the book.
You’d think a multi-author essay collection might feel uneven or dry at some points but nope. It was a joy to read and if you are interested in cowboys and/or the American West, grab this book. Five stars, easy.
April 11, 2018
Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend about fantastic history professors from our undergrad days and I remembered Michael Searles, or as he is more popularly known, Cowboy Mike. Even those who did not have a class with him knew who he was and the depth of knowledge and passion he has for this era. So, when I went online to find a picture I was happy to find a book he published not long ago.
A combination of historical essays, this book focuses on a hidden part of American history by introducing certain black cowboys, the culture they created, and towns that became an outpost for those pioneers not much discussed. The beginning and a few other points might come across like a text book, but overall it is a very interesting read on people who should be more well-known.
A combination of historical essays, this book focuses on a hidden part of American history by introducing certain black cowboys, the culture they created, and towns that became an outpost for those pioneers not much discussed. The beginning and a few other points might come across like a text book, but overall it is a very interesting read on people who should be more well-known.
June 13, 2018
Working on a fictional Western project- this book has been indispensable!
August 25, 2025
Interesting historical account of the untold stories of Black American contributions to the American western frontier from agriculture,local politics,rodeo,and country music. This book puts into perspective what the all American cowboy looks like and what it took to achieve said American dream.
September 7, 2019
Great history
March 18, 2017
An excellent group of essays that provide an overview on a topic you don't hear a lot about. Also contains a great prayer for when eating chili.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews