Cattle Kingdom: The Hidden History of the Cowboy West Paperback – Illustrated, June 5, 2018

Excellent book written from the perspective of a business person! Rather than concentrate exclusively on the typical Western themes (how hard it was, the danger, push for expansion, etc) the author writes about the cattle barons who were doing business at the same time as the railroad tycoons and other captains of industry in the late 19th century. Fascinating stories about the regular cowpunchers, investors in Great Britain who provided a lot of the capital for the cattle industry (I wasn't aware of that) and how a simple thing like barbed wire changed the way this country looks and operates in the West. Highly recommended to those interested in the old West but not just looking for simple stories about cowboys.

I have read extensively about the history of the American West. It's a book like Cattle Kingdom that excites me about the fact that the myths that oftentimes inhabit our historical understanding - can and will be displaced - and rewritten - when exquisitely talented authors like Christopher Knowlton take the reins.The depth and breadth of the research that this work contains supports the authors thesis - confirming that history is subject to unearthing new and yet unrevealed discoveries - that can provide the sinew for a new understanding. Knowlton unequivocally demonstrates this unique journalistic talent. Knowlton's prose and storytelling ability are hypnotic and mesmerizing.This is distinctly not a story that requires a preference for tales about the American West. The manner in which Knowlton weaves his story - and brings life to the characters and context - will draw readers who simply desire a really, really GREAT book.I must admit I had some reluctance deciding whether or not to purchase this volume. I overcame that and am really glad I did.Many aspects of this book will bring tears to your eyes, ripping your heart apart. You'll get angry and disgusted. The drama that Knowlton brings to life is addictive...it's a page turning pleasure. The decimation of the Bison herds had me smelling the carnage that Knowlton described.For those with an affinity for garnering a better understanding of the American cowboy, the influences in the development of the American West, the cattle industry, the origins of the nature of land ownership in the Western U.S. psyche, the influence of capital in the development of the American West, the beef industry, conservation, wildlife management - and - again - those who desire to be immersed in a truly fascinating true tale - well - this book is for you.I honestly can't imagine anyone selecting this book to devour and not coming away completely satisfied about their decision.Frankly, I urge you to select Christopher Knowlton as your guide to the hidden history of the cowboy West. You'll be delighted you did.Trust me...believe me...A PHENOMENAL BOOK!!!YEEHAW!!!

Couldn't put this book down. Tells the story of Americas first real nationwide industry & how it revolutionized America through the beef industry by new innovations such as refrigerated cattle cars & mass assembly line techniques that were developed 20 years before Henry Ford.Kills a few eternal myths as well such as: Most cowboys carried guns & favored gun play, in fact most didn't carry guns & if they did they usually didn't carry them in to town in order to avoid trouble! Or,: There was actually little warfare between "Cowboys & Indians" as most native Americans were confined to reservations by the time the Beef Industry really kicked in to high gear.This book also goes in to some detail about the 1902 book "The Virginian" & how that one book has influenced most Americans idea of the Old West.Truly a "different" kind of history book.

As a native Texan (but closet tenderfoot) I've read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction, about the cowboying days and don't think I ever willingly went to a movie that didn't have horses in it until I was well into my twenties. But in the fifty odd years since then, I've never read anything more engrossing than Cattle Kingdom (sorry Larry, but that might even include Lonesome Dove.) Some of this book will break your heart, like an account of the slaughter of the buffalo to make room for range cattle, and some will make you wince, like descriptions of how cowboys and horses were killed in stampedes. But with the turn of each page, you'll dread the end of the trail and book's end.

I love reading about the old west and the cowboy culture of a bygone era. This book seemed like the perfect fit. At least for me, it didn't deliver. The author failed to write a cohesive story about the old west and the book came across as poorly written and disjointed. The author jumped around chronologically and geographically way too much, making an already thin story line much too difficult to follow for casual reading. I was hoping to learn more about the "hidden history of the cowboy west", not be preached to about how modern cattle ranching methods are going to save the world from global warming. Overall, in my opinion, this book over promised but under delivered and I can't recommend it.

I enjoyed this book very much because it portrays the "cowboy culture" as it actually was; not the John Wayne or Roy Rogers stereotype we were raised to believe, and the true story is every bit as interesting and exciting as the John Wayne or Roy Roger's myths.We spend a lot of time in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where real cowboys who are descendants of real cowboys still live and work, and they can relate and appreciate Knowlton's accurate depictions of their ancestors (or people like them). Their ancestors were the real deal, as is Mr Knowlton'sexcellent book. Well done !

This was assigned by my book club, and as the only Scot in the book club, I have to admit I was delighted (and impressed) to read of the huge contribution made by fellow Scots to the development of the Cattle Kingdom and the American west. What a terrific read, and incidentally, this ended up being our collective favourite out of the 50 chosen books. If you are remotely interested in the development of the American West (or like me, are happy to be educated) this is a must read!

Cattle Kingdom - The Hidden History of the Cowboy West by Christopher Knowlton is, all in all, a well-written, very readable and entertaining book and a good read for everyone interested in ranching (past and present).Knowlton is, for my opinion, strongest when he brings his background in the financial world into the game and analyzes why everything that could have gone wrong did so for most of the aspiring ranching moguls in the northern states during the last 20 years of the 19th century.Sometimes, the author strays a bit too far from the subject, when he gives us an inside look at the English upper class, and one would have loved to learn a bit more about how ranchers in other territories were coping with the problems of unpredictable weather, barbed wire, overgrazing, falling prices etc. The concentration on Wyoming, the Dakotas and Montana gives us only a partial glimpse and not the full picture. His onesided / opinionated dismissal of Tom Horn and his role in the Johnson County war is a bit annoying, as are minor glitches (the author misinterprets "California Pants" with "Levi Blue Jeans"). But all in all, this is a book that belongs in the library of everyone interested in theold west ... historians as well as those who only have a passing interest in the subject - and of course it's a must-read for all the aspiring ranchers and possible victims of any get-rich-quick-scheme. Especially those! Two thumbs up for Chris Knowton and his "Cattle Kingdom".

"Cattle Kingdom" nous offre un récit passionnant de l'axe Texas-Dakota depuis la fin de la Guerre de Sécession jusqu'au tournant du XXe siècle.Raconter l'émergence de l'industrie de la viande permet de redécouvrir de nombreux éléments emblématiques de l'Ouest américain : les bisons, les cow-boys, les corrals, les patelins qui sortent de terre, les mythiques saloons etc. Knowlton parvient à nous faire revivre cette période grâce à un nombre impressionnant de détails et en balayant certains clichés véhiculés par des décennies de cinéma !L'auteur a eu l'intelligence de nous expliquer le processus de façon macro, comme l'articulation de l'industrie entre la Frontière, Chicago et New-York mais aussi en illustrant ces mutations par des histoires singulières. On découvrira ainsi la vie des relativement inconnus Frewen et De Morès et celle de l'illustre Theodore Roosevelt !Le livre se referme sur l'hiver particulièrement rude surnommé le Big Die-Up qui mettra particulièrement à mal l'industrie et sur cet affontement tragique qu'a été la Johnson County War.Livre passionnant, à plus forte raison pour tous les amoureux de l'Ouest Américain !

Very in depth look at the rise and fall of the large western cattle ranches and the true role that the cowboys played. Great for anybody who appreciates the history of the west.

I was given Cattle Kingdom as a gift, with no interest in the subject. To my delight, I found it to be a completely absorbing book, packed full of juicy historical tidbits.Thanks to his crackling writing style, Knowlton made the history of the West come alive for me and I thoroughly relished the ride.