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The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West
For generations, the Wrights of southern Utah have raised cattle and world-champion saddle-bronc riders—some call them the most successful rodeo family in history. Now Bill and Evelyn Wright, parents to 13 children and grandparents to many more, find themselves struggling to hang on to the majestic landscape where they’ve been running cattle for 150 years as the West is transformed by urbanization, battered by drought, and rearranged by public-land disputes. Could rodeo, of all things, be the answer?
In a powerful follow-up to his prize-winning, best-selling first book, New York Times reporter John Branch delivers an epic and intimate family story deep in the American grain. Written with great lyricism and filled with vivid scenes of ranch life and the high drama of saddle-bronc competition, The Last Cowboys chronicles three years in the life of the Wrights, each culminating in rodeo’s National Finals in Las Vegas. Will Bill and Evelyn be able to hold the family together as rodeo injuries pile up and one of their sons goes off on a religious mission? Will their son Cody, a two-time world champion, make it to the finals one last time—and compete with his own son? And will the younger generation—Rusty, Ryder, Stetson, and the rest—be able to continue the family’s ways in the future?
This is a grand and compelling work of reporting that, like Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights, offers deep insight into American ritual and tradition. And in telling the Wright family’s story, from branding days to rodeo nights to annual Christmas gatherings, Branch captures something vital of the grit, determination, and integrity that fuel the American Dream.
An unforgettable book by one of the finest reporters of our time, The Last Cowboys is a moving tribute to an American way of life.
In a powerful follow-up to his prize-winning, best-selling first book, New York Times reporter John Branch delivers an epic and intimate family story deep in the American grain. Written with great lyricism and filled with vivid scenes of ranch life and the high drama of saddle-bronc competition, The Last Cowboys chronicles three years in the life of the Wrights, each culminating in rodeo’s National Finals in Las Vegas. Will Bill and Evelyn be able to hold the family together as rodeo injuries pile up and one of their sons goes off on a religious mission? Will their son Cody, a two-time world champion, make it to the finals one last time—and compete with his own son? And will the younger generation—Rusty, Ryder, Stetson, and the rest—be able to continue the family’s ways in the future?
This is a grand and compelling work of reporting that, like Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights, offers deep insight into American ritual and tradition. And in telling the Wright family’s story, from branding days to rodeo nights to annual Christmas gatherings, Branch captures something vital of the grit, determination, and integrity that fuel the American Dream.
An unforgettable book by one of the finest reporters of our time, The Last Cowboys is a moving tribute to an American way of life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2018
263 people are currently reading
2834 people want to read
About the author
John Branch
36 books64 followersJohn Branch is a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter for the New York Times. He is the bestselling author of Boy on Ice and The Last Cowboys and has been featured multiple times in Best American Sports Writing. He lives near San Francisco, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
November 14, 2018
Cowboys. White people facing a changing way of life so let’s write a whole book on it. Ok.
June 4, 2018
It's quite a saga of an extended family descended from original Mormon settlers in Utah. The original homestead is very close to scenic Zion National Park, and the author practically embedded himself into the family after gaining their trust following a newspaper story that he wrote for the New York Times.
Starting with the patriarch's decision to continue the homesteading tradition of ranching, then down through his (thirteen) children and numerous grandchildren, the reader is carried right along with the changing times to the present day.
In order to help make ends meet, Bill, the grandfather, turned to working the rodeo circuits as a saddle bronc rider, in addition to running their own cattle herds. The rodeos are scattered from Washington state to Texas, with occasional trips to Florida, culminating in the annual National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to the grueling driving to lesser rodeos in order to build up enough wins to compete for the big money in the Finals, each rodeo is a chance that it may be the last because of a chance debilitating injury!
I really liked learning about the behind the scenes hard work and determination that the whole family shows, with the often unsung support that the women provide, just like farm wives everywhere!
Much appreciation to WW Norton & Co for providing me an advance reading copy.
Starting with the patriarch's decision to continue the homesteading tradition of ranching, then down through his (thirteen) children and numerous grandchildren, the reader is carried right along with the changing times to the present day.
In order to help make ends meet, Bill, the grandfather, turned to working the rodeo circuits as a saddle bronc rider, in addition to running their own cattle herds. The rodeos are scattered from Washington state to Texas, with occasional trips to Florida, culminating in the annual National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to the grueling driving to lesser rodeos in order to build up enough wins to compete for the big money in the Finals, each rodeo is a chance that it may be the last because of a chance debilitating injury!
I really liked learning about the behind the scenes hard work and determination that the whole family shows, with the often unsung support that the women provide, just like farm wives everywhere!
Much appreciation to WW Norton & Co for providing me an advance reading copy.
June 12, 2018
John Branch's resume speaks for itself. Pulitzer. PEN. Flat out, he's one of the most, if not THE most, talented sports writers at work. His essay "Deliverance From 27,000 Feet" might've been my favorite thing I read last year. Now comes The Last Cowboys, one of the books I was most looking forward to. I gobbled it up in a few sittings. Per John's usual, he managed to use sports, in this case the story of the most successful saddle bronc rodeo family in history, as an avenue into something greater. At its heart, this book is an examination of the rural urban divide, a testament to a culture brought to the brink of extinction by the influx of outsiders. The story of the Wrights, in that sense, is no different from my people right here on this mountain. I'm glad he got that part right.
July 19, 2018
"Rodeo could be passed down, like a family tradition, like land and manners, but it could spit you out too, without warning. Rodeo was rooted in the past, but it had no sentimentality. All the years and all the successes, all the rides and sweat and blood and miles on the tires bought you no guarantee beyond the next stop." (232)
The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West by John Branch is a triumphant story of the American spirit seen through a family of ranchers and rodeo stars. Branch follows three generations of the Wright family of Utah, who can trace their ancestry to the Mormon settlers in the 1800's, that for over 150 years have lived on the same piece of land wrangling cattle for a living. Led by patriarch Bill Wright and his matriarchal wife Evelyn, the book explores a few years in the lives of the Wrights as they balancing the delicate tightrope of ranching in the 21st century, the glitz and glam of professional bronc riding, and the trials and tribulations of an encroaching outside world.
The book is quite informative in using the story of the Wrights as a foundation for the hardships of ranching against contemporary land-disputes and and increasing urbanisation from outside influences. Equally informative is the life on the road for Bill's son Cody along Cody's own sons and brothers competing in bronco and bull riding events mostly in the American Midwest and West. Anyone familiar with these subjects will enjoy this book, but it's also welcoming of people who are unfamiliar with either. If there are any criticisms to be had of this book, it would be that not every member of the Wright family gets equal attention (the assumption being privacy reasons). There are other important members that only get highlighted, like Calvin and his battle with substance abuse or Stuart's missionary trip to Ghana. These are only minor criticisms to be had though, as the book is a mostly enjoyable experience.
The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West by John Branch is a triumphant story of the American spirit seen through a family of ranchers and rodeo stars. Branch follows three generations of the Wright family of Utah, who can trace their ancestry to the Mormon settlers in the 1800's, that for over 150 years have lived on the same piece of land wrangling cattle for a living. Led by patriarch Bill Wright and his matriarchal wife Evelyn, the book explores a few years in the lives of the Wrights as they balancing the delicate tightrope of ranching in the 21st century, the glitz and glam of professional bronc riding, and the trials and tribulations of an encroaching outside world.
The book is quite informative in using the story of the Wrights as a foundation for the hardships of ranching against contemporary land-disputes and and increasing urbanisation from outside influences. Equally informative is the life on the road for Bill's son Cody along Cody's own sons and brothers competing in bronco and bull riding events mostly in the American Midwest and West. Anyone familiar with these subjects will enjoy this book, but it's also welcoming of people who are unfamiliar with either. If there are any criticisms to be had of this book, it would be that not every member of the Wright family gets equal attention (the assumption being privacy reasons). There are other important members that only get highlighted, like Calvin and his battle with substance abuse or Stuart's missionary trip to Ghana. These are only minor criticisms to be had though, as the book is a mostly enjoyable experience.
September 5, 2020
Excellent ‘sports’ book.
The extended Wright family from Utah are some of the best in the world at their various rodeo disciplines. They travel the country competing on the Rodeo circuit and somehow tend to their large herds of cattle back at Smith Mesa.
The book has an optimistic tone despite the subject matter. It is not salacious, does not negatively portray the family’s religion negatively. So the story arc drama comes from the fact that it is becoming more difficult for the family to make a living at cattle ranching at least in their neck of the woods. But the real drama comes from how incredibly bananas bronco and bull riding are. Page after page, more broken bones and more concussions, surgeries where more plates and rods are installed. I was numb to it by the end. If you think football is a dangerous sport it’s got nothing on bronco and bull riding.
4.5 stars. John Branch is a fantastic writer and this is one of the better sports books that I’ve read. I learned of Branch’s writing with his extended article called Snow Fall about the Stevens Pass avalanche a number of years back and was gobsmacked.
The extended Wright family from Utah are some of the best in the world at their various rodeo disciplines. They travel the country competing on the Rodeo circuit and somehow tend to their large herds of cattle back at Smith Mesa.
The book has an optimistic tone despite the subject matter. It is not salacious, does not negatively portray the family’s religion negatively. So the story arc drama comes from the fact that it is becoming more difficult for the family to make a living at cattle ranching at least in their neck of the woods. But the real drama comes from how incredibly bananas bronco and bull riding are. Page after page, more broken bones and more concussions, surgeries where more plates and rods are installed. I was numb to it by the end. If you think football is a dangerous sport it’s got nothing on bronco and bull riding.
4.5 stars. John Branch is a fantastic writer and this is one of the better sports books that I’ve read. I learned of Branch’s writing with his extended article called Snow Fall about the Stevens Pass avalanche a number of years back and was gobsmacked.
March 7, 2018
Wonderful story of family, rodeo, faith, and the American West. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. The author writes of a multi-generational family that rodeos and how they live in their part of the world. He captures this family and their history very well. The rodeo culture is one that is slowly dying off, but still alive in this family and it resonates strongly. I recommend this book to anybody interested in rodeo, family, the American West, and culture.
June 11, 2018
I love attending rodeos, but I didn't know much about how rodeos work or the life of cowboys until I read this book. Having lived in Parowan, Utah and Cedar City, Utah, I recognized the life style of this family. As a Mormon mother with adult children, I was just as interested in reading about Evelyn Wright's relationship with her sons as I was in reading about the rodeo work and cowboying described in the book. I found the book honest and respectful.
March 1, 2018
This is a Goodreads win review. This is about the Wrights from Southern Utah who have been ranchers and championship rodeo riders. Over the course of history in the US open lands are getting harder to keep and maintain. The West is becoming more urbanized, suffered droughts and have their land claims contested. So they decided to try rodeos to make extra money. It is a very enjoyable book.
August 7, 2019
I thought this was a very interesting book about a Utah rodeo family. The book is a two-part story about the Wright family, the well-known success of the PRCA champion cowboys that are a part of the family as well as the unknown decades-long ranching history of the family. The ranching story isn't unfamiliar to many who have grown up in rural America and are increasingly being pressured by growth to change our hometowns. The rodeo side is pretty amazing. 5 of 7 brothers have all been successful professional rodeo cowboys as well as one brother-in-law and 3 kids/nephews. This family not only has the genes to ride bucking horses, they have also learned how to teach the skill at a high level. Highly recommended.
March 15, 2022
I loved this book for several reasons. For one, we ranched in Utah and Colorado in the 60's and 70's and I know the country it takes place in. I also am to this day although not ranching am concerned about the problems modern day ranchers are experiencing. This is the true story of land that has been ranched by EIGHT generations still there and still running cattle on the same ground. How amazing is that for American history! The book was written by a pulitzer prize winning sports writer. Why a sports writer? Because this family has taken the age old necessity since the 1800's of riding bucking horses to a whole new level. Sons have used their skill in riding saddle broncs to the world of rodeo to support the ranch and lifestyle of their forefathers. They didnt leave it to go rodeo, they still live there and raise cattle there. Cattle, horses, real cowboys and ranchers, rodeo and best of all, American history, are all in this book.
Most of the story begins with Bill Wright and he is a huge part of the story throughout and the author spent a lot of time with him and the entire family - three years of time. To put the story time frame in perspective, one of Bill's sons, Cody (A World Champion Bronc rider himself), is the father of four of the 20 something boys competing today at the very top level of professional rodeo. Currently Cody's third son, Stetson, is for the second year the PRCA World Champion All Around Cowboy. Stetson is the only one of the Wrights who also rides bulls.
But I am skipping ahead. The author does a beautiful job of illustrating the ranch and the work involved in keeping it going from some exciting episodes of working cattle to the never ending work of figuring how to keep a business going. And a business it is of course. The Wrights have set so many rodeo records I can't even begin to name them. Cody competing at the National Finals along with his brother and his son in the same year - how amazing is that. But the real amazing part is that they are still there in those small Utah towns close to the ranch and surrounded by the land that produced them. It's an American story.... a pioneer story of people using what they have learned ranching to bring their talents into modern times. and yet preserving the American west at home and in public. As a sport rodeo is huge in this day and age, but it began in the 1800's so is as American as it gets. Great read.
Most of the story begins with Bill Wright and he is a huge part of the story throughout and the author spent a lot of time with him and the entire family - three years of time. To put the story time frame in perspective, one of Bill's sons, Cody (A World Champion Bronc rider himself), is the father of four of the 20 something boys competing today at the very top level of professional rodeo. Currently Cody's third son, Stetson, is for the second year the PRCA World Champion All Around Cowboy. Stetson is the only one of the Wrights who also rides bulls.
But I am skipping ahead. The author does a beautiful job of illustrating the ranch and the work involved in keeping it going from some exciting episodes of working cattle to the never ending work of figuring how to keep a business going. And a business it is of course. The Wrights have set so many rodeo records I can't even begin to name them. Cody competing at the National Finals along with his brother and his son in the same year - how amazing is that. But the real amazing part is that they are still there in those small Utah towns close to the ranch and surrounded by the land that produced them. It's an American story.... a pioneer story of people using what they have learned ranching to bring their talents into modern times. and yet preserving the American west at home and in public. As a sport rodeo is huge in this day and age, but it began in the 1800's so is as American as it gets. Great read.
October 11, 2020
I didn't think I'd ever rate a book about Rodeos 5 stars... but this book is great. I think I loved the fact that it is a real story about a real family in southern Utah and how they have dominated the sport of saddle bronc riding. It read more like a novel than a memoir and it was the perfect length for me. I remember watching Casey's friend Ryan Handley ride saddle bronc in a rodeo years ago and I wish I could see a video now. I really want to see a rodeo soon now before I forget all the details and rules about the rides. These men are tough and a bit crazy and their wives and families are saints because they are never home. So interesting to learn about their lives. I highly recommend this book!
10/2020 I listened to this book the 2nd time so that I can review it for a book group. I like the narrator on audible and right now it is available for free download with a subscription. I really loved learning about the world of Rodeo and loved the humble family that is profiled in this book. They prioritize ranching and the land they inherited. I loved hearing about places in Utah that I am familiar. It is fun that the are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'd really love to know more about the women's side of the story supporting the men in the family that are always on the road at rodeos. I can't wait to talk about this with our group! I've watched a 60 minutes story about them and lots of videos and read many news articles. So cool!
10/2020 I listened to this book the 2nd time so that I can review it for a book group. I like the narrator on audible and right now it is available for free download with a subscription. I really loved learning about the world of Rodeo and loved the humble family that is profiled in this book. They prioritize ranching and the land they inherited. I loved hearing about places in Utah that I am familiar. It is fun that the are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'd really love to know more about the women's side of the story supporting the men in the family that are always on the road at rodeos. I can't wait to talk about this with our group! I've watched a 60 minutes story about them and lots of videos and read many news articles. So cool!
January 16, 2018
4.5 stars
This compelling work of narrative nonfiction had me turning pages late into the night. The Wright family has worked the same land in Utah for over 150 years. Bill and Evelyn have 13 children and most of their children have children of their own as well. Bill ranches cattle, trying to figure out how to grow the herd while balancing land use permits so that it can support his children and their families. Most of his sons and some of his grandsons are champion rodeo riders, traveling constantly from one rodeo to the next, building the amount of money they've won in an attempt to make it the national finals each year.
Branch does an incredible job of portraying the Wright family and their lives in cattle and rodeo. Like the best nonfiction, you don't need prior interest in these topics to find this book impossible to put down. I devoured this book in two nights.
Here's a link to Branch's NYT article on the family: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...
This compelling work of narrative nonfiction had me turning pages late into the night. The Wright family has worked the same land in Utah for over 150 years. Bill and Evelyn have 13 children and most of their children have children of their own as well. Bill ranches cattle, trying to figure out how to grow the herd while balancing land use permits so that it can support his children and their families. Most of his sons and some of his grandsons are champion rodeo riders, traveling constantly from one rodeo to the next, building the amount of money they've won in an attempt to make it the national finals each year.
Branch does an incredible job of portraying the Wright family and their lives in cattle and rodeo. Like the best nonfiction, you don't need prior interest in these topics to find this book impossible to put down. I devoured this book in two nights.
Here's a link to Branch's NYT article on the family: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...
April 29, 2018
"The Last Cowboys" is a work of literary reporting that is so beautifully written that it reads like a fine novel.
It tells the tale of the Wright family. They are a tough, stoic, and large, loving family that work cattle outside of Milford, Utah. They've been doing so for seven generations, 150 years, since before the invention of barbed wire.
With the West becoming more urbanized, and with conservationists, environmentalists and land disputes, they struggle at this hard life.
Some of the sons are professional rodeo riders, including two world champions. Even though this a highly dangerous sport with a grueling schedule, they boys love it.
There's no guarantee of ending up in the big money, but could this possibly help them out of their troubles?
They want to hold on to the life and land that they love.
This is wonderful story of the American West, family, love, rodeo, and faith that captures history so well.
This was an ARC giveaway. Thank you.
Deeply recommend.
It tells the tale of the Wright family. They are a tough, stoic, and large, loving family that work cattle outside of Milford, Utah. They've been doing so for seven generations, 150 years, since before the invention of barbed wire.
With the West becoming more urbanized, and with conservationists, environmentalists and land disputes, they struggle at this hard life.
Some of the sons are professional rodeo riders, including two world champions. Even though this a highly dangerous sport with a grueling schedule, they boys love it.
There's no guarantee of ending up in the big money, but could this possibly help them out of their troubles?
They want to hold on to the life and land that they love.
This is wonderful story of the American West, family, love, rodeo, and faith that captures history so well.
This was an ARC giveaway. Thank you.
Deeply recommend.
June 4, 2019
This book was a great reminder that there are many diverse lifestyles scattered throughout our country. Many differ dramatically from what I consider normal, which is 8 -5 , M-F, go to the office and return to suburbs to mow the lawn, grocery shop, etc.
I’m fascinated by the unstructured nature of the Wrights everyday life and wonder how it would alter my thoughts about the world in general.
One of the biggest differences to me was the almost total absence of complaining or blaming circumstances for whatever situation they found themselves in. They might grumble for a moment then moved on. I believe it was Cody (maybe Bill) who said something to the effect that “everyone has trouble and they don’t want to hear me whining about mine”. In today’s culture of whining and complaining I found that aspect very refreshing.
It made me think I need to get out of my bubble and realize there are many forms of normal and that doesn’t make them wrong, it just makes them different.
I’m fascinated by the unstructured nature of the Wrights everyday life and wonder how it would alter my thoughts about the world in general.
One of the biggest differences to me was the almost total absence of complaining or blaming circumstances for whatever situation they found themselves in. They might grumble for a moment then moved on. I believe it was Cody (maybe Bill) who said something to the effect that “everyone has trouble and they don’t want to hear me whining about mine”. In today’s culture of whining and complaining I found that aspect very refreshing.
It made me think I need to get out of my bubble and realize there are many forms of normal and that doesn’t make them wrong, it just makes them different.
June 16, 2018
I recommend The Last Cowboys to anyone interested in The American West, agribusiness, or sports, or to anyone looking to learn a lot more about an interesting subject in a well-written book.
Full review on my blog here: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/03/05/th...
Please check out all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
Full review on my blog here: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/03/05/th...
Please check out all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
May 11, 2018
I won this book on Goodreads. I hate to give really bad reviews because maybe this book just isn't my cup of tea but this book was one of the most repetitive, boring books I have ever struggled to get through. What was written in half the book could of been said in the first few pages. I kept reading waiting for the real story to begin sadly that never happened.
June 4, 2018
John Branch gives the reader a wonderful in depth glimpse into the world of the Wright family. Loved reading this story with a family at it’s center. For me, it was a page turner.
June 11, 2018
Well written
Took on a very essential topic here in southern Utah
Took on a very essential topic here in southern Utah
October 24, 2018
I loved a lot of things about this book.
1. Southern Utah backdrop because I'm familiar with and love the scenery described.
2. The perspective of an old school rancher, his take on exploding tourism, global warming, environmentalism, land rights, etc. Could have used even more of that.
3. The rodeo subject matter. Especially after watching The Rider (which everyone should see). It's amazing how much damage those guys do to their bodies and then just keep going. Also, had no idea how lucrative that sport is. But the rodeo ranking details got a bit tedious in the middle which is why I wouldn't rate this book higher.
4. The Mormon culture in the Wright family lives was also an interesting tidbit.
1. Southern Utah backdrop because I'm familiar with and love the scenery described.
2. The perspective of an old school rancher, his take on exploding tourism, global warming, environmentalism, land rights, etc. Could have used even more of that.
3. The rodeo subject matter. Especially after watching The Rider (which everyone should see). It's amazing how much damage those guys do to their bodies and then just keep going. Also, had no idea how lucrative that sport is. But the rodeo ranking details got a bit tedious in the middle which is why I wouldn't rate this book higher.
4. The Mormon culture in the Wright family lives was also an interesting tidbit.
August 6, 2021
Unvarnished and accessible, a very humanizing portrait of the Wright family of Utah. I had my reservation about even reading this book expecting a holier than thou depiction of the legendary rodeo family but it was quite the opposite, covering many of the issues the family has endured whether it be injury or substance abuse. Ultimately this book made me appreciate and take a shine to the Wrights.
June 9, 2018
Wonderful and I ain't got a speck of cowboy in me ... it's a story about family and America and the ultimate freedom to live life according to the song of your soul ... it can be challenging to keep all of the Wright cowboys and cowgirls straight but at least now I know a little about the rodeo and what it means to live the American dream, cowboy style
January 31, 2019
3.5 stars. I liked hearing behind the scenes on the life of a modern cowboy and rodeo professional. My only complaint is that it felt like “Boys in the Boat”, where they did an actual blow-by-blow of every single rodeo they attended for like three years, with a detailed description of what happened in the chute, how the ride went, what the score was, how it affected the overall standings, etc. I just don’t think it needed to be that in-depth and tedious.
January 18, 2020
Rodeos are a quintessential US/Canadian phenomenon. Events include bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding and three other events. The Wright family of Milford, Utah dominates the fourth of these events with several national winners among the three generations of kinfolk. This book chronicles the Wright family both as rodeo competitors and small to medium sized cattle ranchers trying to make a living in the 21st century world.
Success in the rodeo circuit brings both monetary awards when winning and near catastrophic bodily injury winning or losing, plus the hectic pace of running from one rodeo to another (occasionally 3 in a weekend, hundreds to thousands of miles between) and time away from family and cattle at home.
Ranching itself begs questions as to how to maintain traditional ranching practices in our new world of big business with, unstated, our present federal government biased toward big agribusiness as President Trump’s tariff tear the heart out of small operations and favoring those that can withstand two or three years of low sales. The book was written before the tariff wars were engaged in earnest, but the handwriting is already on the wall and in the book.
The book is largely a long litany of rodeo engagements and orthopedic history of the family interspersed with information about ranching life in general and the Wright family in particular. As such it will be of great interest to those who love rodeo as a sport or the bone fracture history of a rodeo family, but is frankly boring to others of us who are not. I live in Utah, have driven through Milford numerous times and know some of the landscape, but would have appreciated maps of the places described (maybe a guy thing??) and some photos of this illustrious and admirable family. Perhaps maps were purposely omitted to preserve the privacy of the family – an understandable precaution.
In the long run, this is a book for rodeo fans, Western enthusiasts, or those seeking an escape from the humdrum of urban life and a yearning for the wide-open spaces.
Success in the rodeo circuit brings both monetary awards when winning and near catastrophic bodily injury winning or losing, plus the hectic pace of running from one rodeo to another (occasionally 3 in a weekend, hundreds to thousands of miles between) and time away from family and cattle at home.
Ranching itself begs questions as to how to maintain traditional ranching practices in our new world of big business with, unstated, our present federal government biased toward big agribusiness as President Trump’s tariff tear the heart out of small operations and favoring those that can withstand two or three years of low sales. The book was written before the tariff wars were engaged in earnest, but the handwriting is already on the wall and in the book.
The book is largely a long litany of rodeo engagements and orthopedic history of the family interspersed with information about ranching life in general and the Wright family in particular. As such it will be of great interest to those who love rodeo as a sport or the bone fracture history of a rodeo family, but is frankly boring to others of us who are not. I live in Utah, have driven through Milford numerous times and know some of the landscape, but would have appreciated maps of the places described (maybe a guy thing??) and some photos of this illustrious and admirable family. Perhaps maps were purposely omitted to preserve the privacy of the family – an understandable precaution.
In the long run, this is a book for rodeo fans, Western enthusiasts, or those seeking an escape from the humdrum of urban life and a yearning for the wide-open spaces.
October 4, 2019
Do you remember that Garth Books song "Rodeo" about the cowboy who won't stop rodeoing (yes, it's a word) even though it is ruining his life? Imagine that song expanded into a compelling and well written book and you have The Last Cowboys.
This book is a real-life account of a family of dedicated rodeo cowboys and ranchers living in southern Utah. I have only very casual rodeo experience--maybe I've been to five rodeos in my life--and I know nothing about cattle ranching. But this book was still extremely interesting. First of all, the rodeo circuit is crazy. Reading about the cowboys' insane travel schedule, grueling events, shocking injuries and prize money (usually very small, occasionally huge) was, frankly, fascinating.
I also enjoyed learning more about cattle ranching on the private and public lands of southern Utah. I am aware of controversies over how public lands in the region are governed and what uses are permitted, but this book helped me understand how those tensions impact the legacy ranchers trying to make a living for their families in the area.
Mr. Brown's depiction of the extended Wright family seemed honest and real, yet compassionate. I thought the tone of the book was excellent. It is educational enough to be enjoyable and personal enough to be rewarding at the human level.
This book is a real-life account of a family of dedicated rodeo cowboys and ranchers living in southern Utah. I have only very casual rodeo experience--maybe I've been to five rodeos in my life--and I know nothing about cattle ranching. But this book was still extremely interesting. First of all, the rodeo circuit is crazy. Reading about the cowboys' insane travel schedule, grueling events, shocking injuries and prize money (usually very small, occasionally huge) was, frankly, fascinating.
I also enjoyed learning more about cattle ranching on the private and public lands of southern Utah. I am aware of controversies over how public lands in the region are governed and what uses are permitted, but this book helped me understand how those tensions impact the legacy ranchers trying to make a living for their families in the area.
Mr. Brown's depiction of the extended Wright family seemed honest and real, yet compassionate. I thought the tone of the book was excellent. It is educational enough to be enjoyable and personal enough to be rewarding at the human level.
April 30, 2018
This was a true story about a family in southern Utah named the Wrights.They raise cattle and compete in saddle-bronc riding in rodeos.They are trying to hang on to the land that has been in their family a long time.They have 13 children and alot of grandkids and are trying to teach them how important this land is and family values also.There are some scary moments in this book about the dangers to the children as they are teaching them how to do certain things.This is a very good read about the love of a family and their land.
April 28, 2019
Branch is a journalist and a sportswriter and he keeps his subject lively and interesting from page 1. Few readers will know much about the internal workings of the rodeo circuit and even about the highs and lows of modern ranching and the cowboy lifestyle. I did not and found the book to be illuminating. The Wright family has a status as Utah rodeo royalty, often dominating competitions; they were portrayed with honesty and respect. Branch absolutely refrains from judgment and opinion (I had an opinion about a three year old riding a pony unsupervised, resulting in a horrible accident!) and we can see how he gained an intimate knowledge of his subjects: he notes in his afterword that the family allowed him to tag along for three years, sleeping in their campers, watching rodeo competitions from behind the chutes, sitting in at family gatherings. The result is a totally fascinating book.
April 27, 2018
This is the life and times of the Wright family of Utah. They are ranchers as generations before and to come will be. Is about Rodeo and the money and injuries. This is a heroic family that are family oriented. They help each other with no jealousy or resentment if one out does the other. Liked this book and the Wright family. This is not fiction. Thanks to Goodreads.
March 10, 2018
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. I would like to thank the author, publisher, and Goodreads for sending me the book.
John Branch offers an engrossing journalistic look at a small segment of American western culture and tradition. In writing about the Wrights, Branch paints a picture of a family and a way of life with an ambiguous future. The Wright family succeeds in the world of rodeo and cattle through a combination of skill, practice, determination, and luck, but their story is not done and throughout the book the reader is reminded of how any year, any season, and any rodeo may be the last.
John Branch offers an engrossing journalistic look at a small segment of American western culture and tradition. In writing about the Wrights, Branch paints a picture of a family and a way of life with an ambiguous future. The Wright family succeeds in the world of rodeo and cattle through a combination of skill, practice, determination, and luck, but their story is not done and throughout the book the reader is reminded of how any year, any season, and any rodeo may be the last.
August 1, 2022
Not what I was expecting, but my fault for not reading the summary. This is a nonfiction book about the Wright family of Southern Utah. I was expecting the book to focus more on how cattle ranching has changed, and how the Wright family has had to change their ranching operations. But most of the book focused on their admittedly impressive rodeo careers, which the book claims they do to help support their ranching activities. This was a statement that was made numerous times, and I just can’t quite swallow it. A couple of the Wright men were true champions, and although there were a few very generous pay days, that seemed the exception rather than the norm. Nor does it take into account the cost associated with the constant travel, or the costs and impacts of the numerous, often significant, injuries received. Obviously I am not a rodeo super fan. I will periodically watch a few events on TV. I am guessing a true super fan would know who the Wright’s are, and might appreciate this book more than I did.
January 21, 2019
This book details the story of the Wright family, a professional saddle bronc riding dynasty, through multiple years of competition, ranching, injury, and family life.
John Branch could have only followed the family for a year and written a book, but he covered the Wright family over a span of a few years. As the book cycles through the each of the seasons seen in a year a rhythm is created. The pulse and routine of rodeo life is reflected in the cycle seen in the writing, which some people may see as boring. I only wish Branch could have been a little more honest in his writing. Too often the Wrights came off almost too loyal and even tempered to be real. I also think the rodeo side of the story was very male centric. It would have been interesting to hear more from the women's side who have a very challenging supporting role I am sure with their husbands traveling for rodeo all the time.
John Branch could have only followed the family for a year and written a book, but he covered the Wright family over a span of a few years. As the book cycles through the each of the seasons seen in a year a rhythm is created. The pulse and routine of rodeo life is reflected in the cycle seen in the writing, which some people may see as boring. I only wish Branch could have been a little more honest in his writing. Too often the Wrights came off almost too loyal and even tempered to be real. I also think the rodeo side of the story was very male centric. It would have been interesting to hear more from the women's side who have a very challenging supporting role I am sure with their husbands traveling for rodeo all the time.
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