Cowboy Logic: The Wit and Wisdom of Kinky Friedman

by Kinky Friedman, Ace Reid (Illustrator)

Cowboy Logic: The Wit and Wisdom of Kinky Friedman (and Some of His Friends) is filled with the bons mots of our favorite Texas legend, "the oldest Jew in Texas who doesn't own real estate." Complementing his ageless (and outrageous) maxims organized thematically are original cartoons and illustrations by the brilliant Ace Reid.

For example:

*Always respect your superiors, if you have any.

*Where there's a will, there's a lawyer.

*A happy childhood is the worst possible preparation for life.

*Trust me. I'm a Jew. I'll hire good people.

*Happiness is a moving target.

Kinky is famous for his one-liners, and here are the best of them.

Genres: Humor

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Receiving 12.6% of the vote, Friedman placed fourth in the six-person race.

Friedman was born in Chicago to Jewish parents, Dr. S. Thomas Friedman and his wife Minnie (Samet) Friedman. The family moved to a ranch in central Texas a few years later. Friedman had an early interest in both music and chess, and was chosen at age 7 as one of 50 local players to challenge U.S. grandmaster Samuel Reshevsky to simultaneous matches in Houston. Reshevsky won all 50 matches, but Friedman was by far the youngest competitor.

Friedman graduated from Austin High School in Austin, Texas in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966, majoring in Psychology. He took part in the Plan II Honors program and was a member of the Tau Delta Phi fraternity. During his freshman year, Chinga Chavin gave Friedman the nickname "Kinky" because of his curly hair.

Friedman served two years in the United States Peace Corps, teaching on Borneo in Malaysia with John Gross. During his service in the Peace Corps, he met future Texas Jewboy road manager Dylan Ferrero, with whom he still works today. Friedman lives at Echo Hill Ranch, his family's summer camp near Kerrville, Texas. He founded Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, also located near Kerrville, whose mission is to care for stray, abused and aging animals; more than 1,000 dogs have been saved from animal euthanasia.

Series:
* Kinky Friedman Mystery

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, breezy collection of one-liners and cowboy cartoons. An ideal bathroom book, but also good for a quick read-through. Not much to it, but it's fun.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful. Variously short thoughts.
Organized into chapters: Cowboy Logic; Things You Would Never Hear a Real Texan Say; Blessings, Curses, & Other Observations on the Condition of Our Condition; All Politics is Yokel; Kinky on Kinky; The Continuing Adventures of God & Man; Treasures & Pleasures; Advice to People Who Are Happier Than I am; The Great State of Texas; Love, Marriage & Other Hopeless Causes; Writing for Fun & Prophet; and Animal Crackers.
With some sort-of funny illustrations by Ace Reid.

[Greg Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinky was not born in Texas, but he's about as close to a cowboy as you can find within the Austin city limits. The book is full of quotes-some his...some not-but they all are close if not on-the-money hilarious. I especially like "We're not happy until you're not happy." It's a short comical read, so you'll be through with it in one sitting. I guarantee you'll find something that will tickle your funny-bone.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite quote:

We knew with the certainty if the arrogance of youth
that we could have been anything, we could have done
anything, except maybe get older.

Kinky Friedman is a musician, an author, a politician, a philosopher, and an advocate. Whatever hat he's wearing. I'm listening.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this while standing in the library and farting.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

best piece of literature i've ever read

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was hilarious.
Some of it.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is irreverant and even ribald on occassion, just like Kinky himself. I have found my Political Guru though. This little collection is filled with sound rational thoughts and belly laughs. With his solid insight, I don't know why Kinky isn't the "former governor" of Texas and on his way to the White House to live, not just to visit. Oh ... yes I do. That already happened too recently hasn't it! But I'd vote for him anyway.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

moments of sublime genius...other moments of tired stereotypes and retread jokes. an easy enough read (considering it entirely consists of one liners)to justify the experience.

as my father said to me about this book: kinky, jewish, cowboy. you should at least pay attention.

[bigmuzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

not really a book, per se, more a list of quotes from the kinkster, and some funny pictures by Ace Reid. easy to knock over this book in minutes, but there are a few good quotes and oneliners inside to remember and use yourself.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my short note on it here:
[http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...]

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining. Some of these are pretty funny and true!

[Keli Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

it had a few funny jokes...