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Last Buckaroo

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"Most cowboy stories are written by 'western writers.' Less commonly you will find cowboy stories written by a literate cowboy. Big difference." Baxter Black, cowboy poet and author of the novel, HEY COWBOY, WANNA GET LUCKY?"

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

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MacKey Hedges

4 books1 follower

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Community Reviews

5 stars
69 (55%)
4 stars
39 (31%)
3 stars
12 (9%)
2 stars
4 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Mitzi.
18 reviews
August 9, 2011
Recommended by my friend, Cindy Kukuk. It was a fantastic accounting of what it's like to be a real cowboy. I loved how he hooked up with a friend and then they stuck by each other no matter what. I loved the descriptions of how they worked with the horses, and how they worked with the other folks around them. I'm going to have to get my own copy for my permanent bookshelves, as a special reminder of everything I hold dear about living in Nevada. It was neat to read about all the places he had buckarooed, and be familiar with those places.
Profile Image for Chrisl.
607 reviews85 followers
June 14, 2015
One of those books that I enjoyed recommending to library patrons. Among the favorites of the old-timers here, where the high school sports' teams are "Cowboys," it was a pleasant surprise to read the first time through.

A favorable look at Nevada, too.
Profile Image for Becky Gullion.
15 reviews
February 22, 2014
He says its a novel, but it could well be an autobiography of many of the old timers I have known. Reads like you are listening to someone telling you a story and I came away feeling like I had known most of the characters in the book.
Profile Image for Tuck.
2,264 reviews254 followers
March 15, 2010
stories, then turns out, a lifetime in fiction of buckaroos working ranches in the west. surprisingly sensitive about indian issues. great story teller this mackey hedges.
Profile Image for Sam.
273 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2022
A fascinating look into the lives of men and the skills and heart demanded of genuine cowboys

It all starts when a young kid, fresh out of the army, picks up an old drunk hitchhiking derelict cowboy who smells to high Heaven. The lasting friendship, transference of essential skills, mutual interests, and general camaraderie are unique and most interesting. A great accounting of the times past when skill with a rope, a secure seat in a saddle, a understanding of cow sense, and overall toughness we’re but a baseline for these buckaroos, an Anglicized pronunciation of the old California word for men who rode superb reining stallions and roped grizzlies. Beautifully written and well worth the time.
200 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2022
That is one hell of a book!!!

Only old buckaroos and broke down truck drivers will understand. Lived in winnemucca Battle mountain Elko and Ely now live in Northern Arizona really enjoyed it!!!
Profile Image for Ben.
38 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2022
Most books or stories have some to go to achieve perfection. This book is so close to perfection in my view critiquing it would be rubbing away the human varnish. Loved it want to own it.
1 review
February 13, 2024
ReaL Cowboy

Great story of an old cowboy and many of his experiences. Stories cover a lot of the West...just plain interesting...hard to put down.

Profile Image for Shelly deBraga.
78 reviews12 followers
February 19, 2017
I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down. If you love the cowboy way of life, this is the book for you. It is the story about two guys, a young man and an older man, who go around to different ranches in Nevada, CA, AZ, OR, and ID, to buckaroo. This book is very true to life as Mackey Hedges is a real life cowboy. These are his recollections of his life as a buckaroo. My thanks to Pete Osmun for lending this book to me to read. I enjoyed it 100%
Profile Image for Camille Messick.
28 reviews9 followers
May 11, 2014
What a fun book! Full of great buckaroo stories this one man and his partner experience as
They roamed from one ranch to the next. A great twist at the end of the book that just makes you smile! If you're a buckaroo at heart, you'll love this book!
Profile Image for Mehrsa.
2,245 reviews3,574 followers
April 7, 2008
Not the best-written book, but it's basically about the dying art of ranching in the west. I knew nothing about this so the book was pretty interesting.
587 reviews6 followers
August 9, 2008
This was a fun, original book to read. It's been 6 years since I read it- but I remember liking it.
Profile Image for Don.
388 reviews
January 17, 2016
Monte Walsh and Last Buckaroo. If you have not read them, you are missing some of the best reading time you will ever spend.
Profile Image for Joigrl.
76 reviews
August 21, 2012
My husband turned me on to this book about the last real cowboy. It's a great story and reminds us all about how things were for cowboys and what they put up with! I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Debbie Fleming.
1 review
June 21, 2013
Fascinating book, very well written. The characters reminded me of the cowboys I knew while growing up in Arizona. They would have agreed this book is the "real deal".
Profile Image for Whitley.
61 reviews
March 12, 2026
1000000 stars #1 favourite book of all time! Have read it probably 15 or more times. NEVER GETS OLD!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews