Cactus Tracks and Cowboy Philosophy FROM THE PUBLISHER
Author of the comic rodeo novel Hey Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky?, irregular commentator on NPR, syndicated columnist, and the best-selling cowboy poet in the world now rounds up this hilarious collection of poetry and commentaries that have made him public radio's favorite left-handed former large animal veterinarian. Cactus Tracks & Cowboy Philosophy is the complete illustrated collection of his commentaries that have aired on NPR's "Morning Edition." It is the latest dose of the best medicine from this former animal doctor with the wit and soul of a salty sagebrush Shakespeare.
SYNOPSIS
From the beloved NPR commentator, the popular syndicated columnist, and authentic cowboy poet comes this hilarious collection of poems, tales, and songs that have made him the poet laureate of the range.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Black (Hey Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky?) lives and works in the mountain West, "tending critters" and being a part of the lifestyle he loves. In the 119 short essays and poems collected here, all of which he has read on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, he celebrates the world of cowboys and farmers, pickup trucks, feedlots, wild horses, baler twine, stock shows, range fires and rodeos that is "different from the world of most public radio contributors." He and his friends know how to laugh at themselves--as he posits, what else is there to do when elk invade the beanfield, your horse gets spooked by a moose and falls over backward on top of you and ewes go on a rampage at the agricultural fair? The pieces are slightly irreverent, sometimes poignant and always imbued with respect and admiration for the self-reliance and independence "a lot of us from the West are proud of." Illustrations not seen by PW. (Sept.)
School Library Journal
YA-A new source for students who rebel at poetry assignments. Black, known as a "cowboy poet," has gathered together his popular broadcasts on National Public Radio. His prose and poetry are rich in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the ranch, prairie, and high country. According to the author, cowboy life dangles "between humor and tragedy" and laughter helps one to get through the tough times. Some of the selections grab the heart, too, including a Christmas poem, "Joe and Maria, The First Christmas...Cowboy Style." Black has a way with words. A hard rain is a "fish-drownin', hat-soakin', slicker-testin' downpour." Older chickens are "blue-haired layers that had lost their bloom." YAs who dream of living the life of a real, honest-to-John (Wayne) cowboy will hoot and holler at this book, and be inspired to try their own unique way of tellin' a tale.Judy Sokoll, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Kirkus Reviews
Black (Hey Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky?, 1994), comic western versifier and former physician to equines, ruminants, and other large domestic animals, rechews his whimsical cud with short pieces originally emanating from the airwaves of NPR.
In over 100 little essays, stories, poems, and songs (and a glossary of feedlot lingo), each read in just the time it takes to soft-boil an egg, ol' Bax' stretches his tales tall and spins his poems. The stories recall the likes of Josh Billings and Artemus Ward of yesteryear, and the galloping poetic rhythm hasn't been so securely ridden since the days of the late Robert W. Service. Black hog-ties his rhymes (e.g.: "fish" with "leash," "up front" with "elephant") with a force emblematic of John Wayne. His stuff, as Baxter advises, "should always be read aloud (or at least move yer lips)." The dialect is ripe with "figgered" and "knowed" and sechlike. Enough final "g"s are dropped to delight any English lord. But what need of syntax and grammar when the book, on the whole, is simply fun, educational for the tenderfoot and redolent for cow people? Some efforts, naturally, work better than others; someone might have introduced Black to the notion of culling. For the most part, though, the seemingly ragtag ramblings are cleverly constructed to tickle fans and bemuse those, not wise to the difference between cow patties and beef patties, who just like the idea of being a cowpoke.
Cowboy Black throws the bull, the cow, the stallion, the mare, common barnyard critters, and even the kitchen sink into these pieces with assurance and, generally, to good effect. Just put on yer five-buckle overshoes, watch where you step, and join the fun.
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