Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders

by Josh Peter

In Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders , award-winning sports journalist Josh Peter takes readers along on the Professional Bull Riders tour to witness the death-defying confrontation between man and beast that has made bull riding the fastest growing sport in the world. Success in this sport is measured in seconds-staying on a bull for 8 seconds without getting tossed is likely to secure the rider a big score. Josh Peter captures the high drama of the sport and introduces readers to a culture that's rife with colorful courageous riders, scouts, breeders, love-struck groupies, and a few of those very angry bulls.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Westerns

276 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2005

Reviews

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked the subject matter (something I knew nothing about before reading the book) I thought it was a bit dry at times. I'm sure that the author could have made it much more exciting. Still, a good read.

[Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction
The book is about the bull riding experience and what we do and how we do it. I was a bull rider for 3 years. The title is Bull Riding and Buckle Bunnies. If you like bull riding or exciting experience yall would love to read this book.

Overview
The main character's name is Silver. He's a real cowboy like me. I love the stories behind the book. The time is in the early 2000s and the late 1900s. The place is all over the US traveling for the PBR. The book is about a guy who has been riding bulls his whole life and even when he was younger he was winning buckles and money as well as a new truck at the age of 16.

Evaluations
I like how the author told the story and told it's just like it is. He told it like I was living it again. My favorite part is when he was 16 years old and then won the rodeo and got a new truck from winning. I think other people would like this book if they are in to anything country.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but the book doesn’t really live up to its title. This book focused mostly on the competition between the bull riders that takes place over a long, grueling season. Other than that, it also covered the growth of the PBR and its behind the scenes machinations. This was more than enough to entertain me. What it mostly failed to do is reveal much about the subculture around the sport to include much of anything about the fans and groupies. Nor did it really cover the subject of fried Twinkies except to report in an end of chapter summary as to whether they had been available to eat due info a weekend long event. The author tried to project a vibe of greater excitement and drama than the book provides. That being said, I’m left with a greater respect for the riders and sport than what I sent into this with.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book by accident at the library web site, and I love non fiction books about topics I know nothing about.

The first and most important question: Where are these boys' mothers? Who on earth would let their child compete in such a dangerous sport? And some of them have children of their own who they could leave without a father if a ride goes really badly.

That said, the book is super interesting, following the top competitors in bull riding through the 2004 season. Not really a lot about the culture and people surrounding the athletes, other than the staff and leadership of the PBR organization. Just the injuries and the doctors who treat them are crazy. Very narrowly focused on bull riding specifically, rather than the larger world of rodeo events. (Though many of the others are considerably less ridiculous or dangerous)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter follows bull riders from the PBR circuit through their 2004 competition. Peter does a great job of introducing the sport, the riders and the bulls. Lots of fun and the riders are either nuts or amazing or both.

Brings to mind some dialogue from the TV show Yellowstone:

Carl: I hope I never meet the first man who thought it was a good idea to ride a bull.
John Dutton: I don’t know. The first man might be worth meeting. It’s the second man I wonder about.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author could have chosen a better set-up than covering a whole year; that set-up led to the book feeling too list-like. There were also a lot of names to keep organized, and rather than covering everyone he could have honed in more. I will admit, though, that I'm now debating going to a bull riding event.

[Patrick Tarbox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look into a fascinating world. The author did a good job adding substance and stories to everyone without being overwhelming or just saying what the results were.

The author also did a tremendous job going inside other sides of the sport, such as how bulls are raised and produced.

[John Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a bull riding fan, I enjoyed this inside look at the PBR.

[K9stylist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, lots of stuff about Tuff Hedeman, love that guy.

[Trenchologist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This found its way to me as a gift, and I was happy to get it. Easy, fast-paced, journalistic voice that suited the book's construct. (I think the project started life as a blog maintained during the season that was then turned into a book, but I could be mistaken.) Would definitely recommend it to someone wanting an intro and to know more about the PBR; for myself, it was a bit of rehashing what I already knew, including the basics, the riders, the stats and the season that's chronicled. However, there were some behind the scenes and biographical tidbits I appreciated adding to my repertoire of bullriding enthusiasm. Don't get me wrong--I liked it--it simply held no surprises. Including that Adriano works to keep that ego in check.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you are not a fan of professional bull riding, inarguably the most dangerous sport in the world, this is a riveting insider’s look (OK, I’ll admit it—I’m a card-carrying member of the official PBR fan club, but not quite a "buckle bunny"). Peter, a sports writer for the New Orleans Times-Picuayune, follows these tougher-than-dirt cowboy athletes, the bulls they battle and those in charge of putting on the show around for a year of deadly wrecks, awesome rides and legendary world champions in the making. Read it while you munch on a deep-fried Twinkie.

[linnea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very insightful to my newest obsession (bull riding) I am the least likely to like, wait, love this sport, and this gave me all the background info I needed to be a bucklebunny in training.

[Beau Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fine book on the modern day rodeo/bull riding scene. a lot of humor and real life goings on. The grind is like that of professional wrestling or concert life. If you only read one book about rodeos and bull riding, even if you're not a fan, then this is the one.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and well-written account of a year in the PBRT. I liked learning the history of the the PBRT as well as the profiles of the bull riders. Each chapter ends with a chart of that venue's concession offerings and their commentary on fried twinkies, which was a fun touch.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my blog post on it:

http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...

[Bob Roller · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can take the guy out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the guy.

Guilty pleasure at its finest.

[Nikki]

I have talked to this arthuor if u dont like bull riding u wont like the book.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my review at my blog.

[Doug Stotland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed every word following Josh Peter around the country sampling new cultures.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a bull riding fan, read this book. If you just don't get it, read this book.

[Suanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unless you're REALLY into PBR, this is more than you will ever want to know and a little dull.