Twenty Miles of Fence: Blueprint of a Cowboy

by Bob West

Twenty Miles of Fence recounts a decade of transformation when Bob West, a westerner at heart, decided to escape the pretense of his unfulfilling architectural life and to become, quite simply, a cowboy. A cowboy?

That old cliché about biting off more than you can chew fittingly describes the lessons learned when West and his family bought the Devil’s Washtub Ranch in Wyoming. Already owning two horses, housed in a stylish stable on five acres near the yuppie haven of Boulder, Colorado, West soon discovered that ownership of two horses does not equal twenty miles of fence, 3,200 deeded acres, 400 BLM acres, 154 head of black angus, two and a half miles of the North Laramie River—and what would become for him the very best of times. Little did West know how those years would test him, inspire him, and lead him back to his true character.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2023

Reviews

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to both Bison Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Twenty Miles of Fence.

Expected publication: March 1st 2023

As another reviewer stated: "You can take an architect out of Boulder, but can you make him a cattle rancher in Wyoming? Twenty Miles of Fence answers that question in gritty, unflinching detail. A searing, adventurous memoir about the cold, hard realities of pursuing the cowboy way.”—Mark Stevens (I couldn't have described it better!)

The writing in Twenty Miles of Fence was so vivid that I felt I had actually stepped onto a ranch in Wyoming. I was right there when the author described the extreme hot and/or cold weather. I watched as Mr. West designed the cabin and outbuildings for the ranch. The descriptions were absolutely amazing.

Learning about cattle ranching was fascinating. On the other hand, the graphic descriptions about accidents that happened to the cattle (especially to the calves), the horses, and even the dogs ripped my heart out. I feel like such an idiot for not realizing these things would be a part of cattle ranching! They made me happy to be a vegetarian!

Back to the things I liked the most, it was also fascinating when Mr. West delved into the Native American history of his ranch. It made me wish I could beam myself into the ranch and hunt for artifacts with him!

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Author is a part of a successful architecture firm in Boulder Colorado. He is getting tired of the mundane of his business and lifestyle and with his wife they decide they want to buy a ranch. Over a 4-year period they burn up a lot of weekends looking for the ideal situation. It was definitely neat to recognize a lot of the towns they visit and mention. They are what longtime ranchers would call wannabe cowboys. Just when they are ready to call it quits, they find the right place, a 3200-acre ranch in Wyoming. Now talk about a contrast in lifestyle when you consider the lifestyle in Boulder Colorado where close to big city and a very liberal society compared a much more conservative country way of life. But hey they are going to weekend cowboys it cannot really be all that hard right? They are riding horse around Boulder, so they got it figured out. They go in thinking that this is going to be fun and not the nightmare it can be with being a money pit and just how hard it is to make money ranching. The author is so incompetent in the beginning that he buys a blind horse. Overtime with help of the former owners and friendly Neighbours they sort of figure it out. This is a pretty good read and for me it does not end like I figured but i would definitely recommend this book if you want to learn what ranch life is like from the viewpoint of a complete novice.

[Cheryl Rennels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate to Bob's vision and passion for this way of life. I found mine in Northern Colorado. Janet Fogg is a master; "you can hear the sun set" will forever be with me. To not admire her work as she battled breast cancer must be coming from a personal issue. Absolutely a great read.

[Bob Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. It was instructive in how a ranch works and what it was like to live the ranch life. It is beautifully written, expressive of the beauty of south eastern Wyoming.

[Malachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually wrote a lot in the margins and lots of dog-ears.
At first, I was put-off by the naming (including) last name of person who failed him.
Later on at the end it was stated that many (all?) of the names had been edited.
I understand the point of telling the stories as they were. I just don't know about fully naming specifics.
I was confused, too, about the seemingly conflicting sections about protecting all life/all-life is sacred to later parts about killing of snakes, coyotes, etc. Perhaps it was just part of the natural evolution that happens when one moves from a place like Boulder to Wyoming, which is understandable.
I appreciate his candor and openness. It was a very interesting read and I learned a lot.
Very valuable perspective to get from somone not-of something as they dive head first into something totally new. A lot of things taken granted by those who grew up in it.
Will re-read and would recommend.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really only enjoyed a few short chapters in this book. The red tailed hawk was a lovely story. Didn’t appreciate the one about “snake snapping”. Since when it acceptable to disrespect wildlife simply because you are a kid, drinking beer and having fun? Didn’t like the one about Odie the “top dog”. His owner Jake “hauled” him into town and gave him away for doing things that come natural to dogs. When Odie returned back 2 weeks and 18 miles later to the ranch on his own, Jake made him “disappear. So cruel and inhumane. Also didn’t like the bull riding. It’s barbaric. It’s not a sport. Definitely did not like Rachel being called “little Hitler” because they thought she was bossy, demanding and arrogant. MANY distasteful stories in this book.