John Branch’s The Last Cowboys is an absorbing history of the modern American West. In telling the story of the Wright family of Southwest Utah, Branch covers the politics of land management and grazing rights, the day-to-day operations of a cattle ranch, and the inner workings of the rodeo circuit. The author weaves these topics effortlessly and with continued interest throughout.
I had virtually no knowledge of these subjects before reading Branch’s book, but he does a great job doling out just enough background to inform but not bury you. After reading Branch’s book, I have a newfound appreciation for those who work the land and participate in rodeo, ‘America’s last blue-collar sport.’
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.