This historically based fictional novel tells on a pair of working cowmen and their exploits in the American old west. This story chronicles a veteran cowhand, Patrick O’Connor, (Ornery) and his tenderfoot saddle partner, Francis Slimmery, (Slim), and how they made their way west to come into the steady employment of the ranch known as the, “O U T (Oh-Ewe-Tee) Spread”. Further told is how the two main characters come to deal with life, contending; with their critters (cows), the elements of nature, the lay of the land, outlaws, wildlife, their friends, calico-friends, and each other, all the while toiling to tame their corner of the prairie west. Conveyed are the simple, but oft’ humorous and life like escapades of these two laboring cow-saddlers, as they commence to ply their cow craft for the “brand”. The setting for these accounts is far less fictional, and transpires on the very real North American frontier, circa 1880’s. Told about as well is the time-honored cowboy code, one pervasive to the people of this era and played out by the two central figures. These tales dabble in the daily deeds, trials, and tribulations of nearly every aspect of a cowman’s existence during that period. The anecdotal activities are set to expose the full range of endeavors, from the slow and arduous boredom of ranch chores, to the split second moments of hair-raising and life-threatening perils oft’ encountered along the trails. The chapters in this story are intended to rekindle the feeling of an old west evening around the campfire, filled with tales of cowboy adventures, escapades packed with; love and luck, kinship and hardship, calamity and triumph, wisdom and self-exploration, all via the exploits of these two saddleback heroes and their friends. All this, and shared in the old-fashioned American story-telling tradition.

Filled with more than 150 recipes, anecdotes, and stories from some of America’s most popular writers and personalities, this collaborative effort has a writerly sensibility and a Western point of view. Including recipes for drinks, appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and fun extras—as well as stories from and profiles of the contributors, this is both a Western book and a cookbook that moves beyond the genre.

Montana Kid Hammer continues his distinct brand of American old fashion storytelling tradition with, Back in the Saddle Again, the second novel in The Old West Adventures of Ornery and Slim cowman series. Ornery, a schoolteacher and Civil War survivor turned veteran cowhand, and Slim, a young Philadelphia orphan now a part learned cowman continue to ride for the brand simply known as the O U T (Oh-Ewe-Tee) Spread. Their partnership is rekindled as they are back in their saddles again to face down cantankerous critters, the harsh western prairie elements, the lay of the land, payroll robbing outlaws, run away stagecoaches, countless dangers of a cattle drive, a cow hunt, along with some not so common cowmen calamities. Ornery and Slim labor to craft an ongoing relationship with the boss, their many pards, and their calico-gal friends, all while building a hearty proficiency around the cow craft of their day. The setting for this storybook is far less fictional and happens on the high plains of the very real North American frontier west, circa 1880s. Also shared is that time-honored cattlemans code of the west, the one so highly prevalent in the folk of the era, and played out by this tomes many matchless characters. Conveyed are humorous escapades of the cowmen as they ply their cow craft for the brand. The anecdotal happenings are said so as to expose the wide range of cowman endeavors encountered along the trails and upon the plains of that very same unsettled frontier. This novel is designed to rekindle fond recollections of Old West evenings sat around campfires to a plethora of untold, yet hair-raising cowman tales. Here is a genuinely marvelous opportunity to return to those wild and wooly days of Americas western yesteryear.

The Trail Never Ends, Montana Kid Hammers third novel in his series, trails Ornery and Slim into another set of high adventures; escapades that grow out of the very frontier that holds them fast. Ornery, a Civil War survivor turned veteran cowhand, and Slim, a young orphan from Philadelphia and a burgeoning cowman in his own right, partner up to ride for the brand handled simply as the O U T (Oh-Ewe-Tee) Spread. Their third season of cow crafting finds this pair in the company of, or referenced to, such historic old west personages as, Wyatt Earp, Teddy Blue Abbott, Crazy Horse, and Teddy Roosevelt. Ornery, Slim, and the other hands of the outfit experience such calamities as encounters with rustlers, prairie storms, unsavory saloon types, sheep wars, cantankerous US Army personnel, and wonderful womanly wiles that up the ante of their challenges and try both soul and gun hand. Kids Old West series is intended to rekindle fond recollections of Old West evenings sat around campfires to a passel of never before told bone rattling and hair-raising cowman tales. Offered is a unique opportunity to ride back to those wild and wooly days of Americas western yesteryears.

150 Western Classics presents an unparalleled assembly of stories that weave the rich tapestry of the American West, capturing its vast landscapes, its tumultuous history, and its indomitable spirit. This anthology showcases a diversity of literary styles, ranging from the rugged realism of frontier life to the romanticized myths that have come to define the genre. The collection embodies the essence of Western literature, featuring narratives that explore the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of the American frontier. Standout pieces within the anthology include tales of high adventure, stoic courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice, all of which contribute to the reimagining and preservation of the American West in the literary canon. The contributing authors and editors of 150 Western Classics bring together a remarkable range of backgrounds, from celebrated novelists like Mark Twain and Willa Cather to pioneering Western storytellers such as Zane Grey and Owen Wister. This collective reflects a myriad of historical, cultural, and literary movements, from the realism and romanticism that defined early American literature to the naturalism that informed the later works. Together, these voices create a multidimensional portrait of the American West, offering readers an expansive perspective on its legends, hardships, and triumphs. 150 Western Classics is an essential volume for anyone interested in exploring the depth and diversity of the American West through its literature. This anthology provides a unique opportunity to engage with the works of some of the genre's most influential figures, offering a comprehensive view that spans the classic to the contemporary. Readers are invited to immerse themselves in this collection for its educational value, its breadth of insights, and the ongoing dialogue it fosters between the myriad authors' works. It is a testament to the enduring allure of the West and its capacity to inspire storytelling that resonates across generations.

Everyone knows the name Buffalo Bill, but few these days know what he did or, in some cases, didn't do. Was he a Pony Express rider? Did he serve Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn? Did he scalp countless Native Americans, or did he defend their rights? This, the first significant biography of Buffalo Bill Cody for younger readers in many years, explains it all. With copious archival illustrations and a handsome design, Presenting Buffalo Bill makes the great showman come alive for new generations. Extensive back matter, bibliography, and source notes complete the package. This title has Common Core connections.

Los Angeles, 1921: Ex-Pinkerton Charlie Siringo is living in quiet retirement when Wyatt Earp knocks on his door and asks him to track down his missing horse. Horse thievery turns into a deeper mystery as Siringo and another ex-Pinkerton, the young Dashiell Hammett, follow clues from the streets of Los Angeles to Jack London's farm -- until they discover a conspiracy masterminded by the notorious and powerful Joseph P. Kennedy. These ragtime cowboys chase the truth in a compelling tale of the Old West and early Hollywood.

“A wild, rollicking ride into the heart of horse country—these essays get at what it means to love horses, in all that love's complexity.” —Anton DiSclafani, author of The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls A compelling and provocative essay collection that smashes stereotypes and redefines the meaning of the term “horse girl,” broadening it for women of all cultural backgrounds. As a child, horses consumed Halimah Marcus’ imagination. When she wasn’t around horses she was pretending to be one, cantering on two legs, hands poised to hold invisible reins. To her classmates, girls like Halimah were known as “horse girls,” weird and overzealous, absent from the social worlds of their peers. Decades later, when memes about “horse girl energy,” began appearing across social media—Halimah reluctantly recognized herself. The jokes imagine girls as blinkered as carriage ponies, oblivious to the mockery behind their backs. The stereotypical horse girl is also white, thin, rich, and straight, a daughter of privilege. Yet so many riders don’t fit this narrow, damaging ideal, and relate to horses in profound ways that include ambivalence and regret, as well as unbridled passion and devotion. Featuring some of the most striking voices in contemporary literature—including Carmen Maria Machado, Pulitzer-prize winner Jane Smiley, T Kira Madden, Maggie Shipstead, and Courtney Maum—Horse Girls reframes the iconic bond between girls and horses with the complexity and nuance it deserves. And it showcases powerful emerging voices like Braudie Blais-Billie, on the connection between her Seminole and Quebecois heritage; Sarah Enelow-Snyder, on growing up as a Black barrel racer in central Texas; and Nur Nasreen Ibrahim, on the colonialist influence on horse culture in Pakistan. By turns thought-provoking and personal, Horse Girls reclaims its titular stereotype to ask bold questions about autonomy and desire, privilege and ambition, identity and freedom, and the competing forces of domestication and wildness.