In this remarkable one-year journal, skilled horsewoman and adventurer Laura Chester brings us into her world, where we deeply connect with the earth and its seasons, with beauty and sometimes danger. While riding in places as far-reaching as Mexico, Australia, and India, Chester is always grateful to come home to the comforts of her familiar horse. As they cover the borderland of Arizona and the hills of Massachusetts, we get to know Barranca as intimate companion, mediator between soul and nature, whether entering the wilds of Cochise Stronghold or picking Berkshire apples from the saddle. Carried along on waves of memory, released by the gaits of her smooth-moving fox trotter, this literary memoir takes us on a personal exploration as well—where family relationships are fractured by anger, jealousy, illness, and death. With the help of her big-hearted animal, Chester is able to retrieve the past and find forgiveness. For as she says—"Riding Barranca puts me in the moment, which is where I want to live."

Folks all over West Texas and eastern New Mexico will tell you: Cowdens have been ranching here for as long as anyone can remember. The Cowdens, in fact, have been at the forefront of the cattle business for 150 years. Arriving in Texas in the 1850s, Cowden men and women raised and trailed cattle, sought out water and better grazing land, tangled with Comanches—and helped extend the western line of Anglo settlement as they raised their families. They eventually moved to New Mexico, where they established the renowned JAL Ranch. Award-winning writer Michael Pettit, a Cowden descendant and former rancher, offers a compelling portrait of this genuine American ranching family. Riding for the Brand spans six generations and two states to serve up a real slice of the Old West, complete with cowboys and Indians, cattle and buffalo, open range and barbed wire. Pettit skillfully blends family saga with an urbanite’s firsthand look at life on today’s 50,000-acre Cowden Ranch, where the one dependable factor is the constant wind. Riding for the Brand traces the evolution of the Texas and New Mexico cattle business from the era of intimate ranching communities to today’s oil-enriched or corporate operations. But it’s also the story of one man’s search for identity through his connections to a family, a place, and a way of life.

Clarence Mulford's 'Riding in the Wild West' is a collection of 10 classic Western adventures that immerses readers into the rugged and untamed landscapes of the Old West. Mulford's writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and fast-paced action scenes that captivate the reader from start to finish. Each story is a thrilling journey filled with cowboys, outlaws, and dusty trails, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of life on the frontier. Mulford's storytelling prowess shines through in these timeless tales of courage, loyalty, and justice, making this compilation a must-read for fans of the Western genre. The book's literary context reflects the enduring popularity of Western fiction and its ability to transport readers to a bygone era of adventure and excitement. Clarence Mulford, known for creating the iconic character Hopalong Cassidy, draws upon his own experiences in the West to craft authentic and engaging narratives that resonate with readers of all ages. With its blend of action, suspense, and old-fashioned values, 'Riding in the Wild West' is a testament to Mulford's skill as a master storyteller and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Western literature.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1873.

Reproduction of the original: The War Trail by Captain Mayne Reid