Synopsis
For more than a hundred years, American cowboys made their living through the skilled use of horse and rope. Whole libraries have been devoted to the horse, but no one, until now, has written a thorough study of the origins and evolution of ranch roping - which differs from arena roping as practiced by rodeo cowboys.
Author/cowboy John Erickson studies ranch roping; and the endless debate between those cowboys who rope "hard and fast" and those who "dally."
Mixing scholarship with this working-cowboy's knowledge of the subject, Erickson tells stories of cowboys who could not resist fitting their loops on "things that ort not to be roped," such as elk, deer, badgers, bears, and bobcats. He tells of jackrabbit roping contests, and of cowboys who roped mice, geese, hogs, wives, or a runaway milk wagon.
Anyone who has ever "built a loop" or even thought about it will find this book hard to put down.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
John R. Erickson, born in Midland and raised in the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton, is a fifth-generation Texan with ranching roots back to the 1850s. He graduated from the University of Texas and studied at the Harvard Divinity School, but made his living on horseback while pursuing his writing. His "Hank the Cowdog" series has become a national favorite.
Reviews
Erickson has looked at cowboy life in humorous, scholarly, and historical ways in his previous books for adults and children, which include the Hank the Cowdog series. He begins this rather specialized history of cattle roping by making distinctions between the styles of the vaquero and the cowboy in throwing, rope length, tying, and looping. Thereafter, discussion is limited mainly to pasture roping for transport, doctoring, and branding but does touch on contemporary roping methods, for which Erickson draws upon his own experiences to offer insight into how the cowboy practices roping on creatures and objects other than horses and cows. He finishes with roping records set outside the world of rodeos. Denise Perry Donavin
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Catch Rope: The Long Arm of the Cowboy (The history and evolution of ranch roping)
Published by
University of North Texas Press, Denton, TX, 1994
ISBN 10: 0929398661
ISBN 13: 9780929398662
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Andrew's Books, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. No Jacket. 1st Edition. Hardcover in tan boards, no dust-jacket, has very minor wear, tight, bright, and unmarked. Have at it, pardners. Seller Inventory # 010021
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Catch Rope:; the long arm of the cowboy
Published by
University of North Texas Press, Denton, TX, 1994
ISBN 10: 0929398661
ISBN 13: 9780929398662
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: BIBLIOPE by Calvello Books, Oakland, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine(+). Octavo in brown DJ, black spine, xii, 174 pages: illustrations; 24 cm. Calf roping -- History. For more than a hundred years, American cowboys have made their living through the skilled use of horse and rope. Whole libraries have been devoted to the horse, but no one, until now, has written a thorough study of the origins and evolution of ranch roping--which differs from arena roping as practiced by rodeo cowboys. Author/cowboy John Erickson studies ranch roping from every angle: its origins in the Old World; old-time loops and throws; the influence of modern team roping; and the endless debate between those cowboys who rope "hard and fast" and those who "dally." Mixing scholarship with his working--cowboy's knowledge of the subject, Erickson tells stories of cowboys who could not resist fitting their loops on "things that ort not to be roped," such as elk, deer, badgers, bears, and bobcats. He tells of jackrabbit roping contests, and of cowboys who roped mice, geese, hogs, wives, or a runaway milk wagon. Anyone who has ever "built a loop" or even thought about it will find this book hard to put down. Contents: Who were the first ropers? -- Out of Mexico: vaqueros and cowboys -- Dally or tie -- The evolution of roping technique -- Loops and throws -- Modern ranch roping -- Roping on wheat pasture -- Doctoring pinkeye -- The rope as a weapon -- Unusual targets -- Things that ort not to be roped -- The blocker loop in Mississippi -- The pasture roping contest -- The swimming heifer -- Saving cattle with the rope -- Uncommon roping problems -- Bibliography -- Index. Western life series, number 1. DJ protected in archival mylar sleeve. Extremely gently rubbed corners, very mild rubbing to spine head and foot, bright pages in tight binding, extremely mild rubbing to DJ spine head and foot, faint soiling to rear DJ, extremely gently rubbed DJ corners, light water stain to inside front DJ flap, else Near Fine(+) in Near Fine(-) DJ. First edition, first printing (full number line). Seller Inventory # 91053
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Catch Rope: The Long Arm of the Cowboy (The history and evolution of ranch roping)
Published by
University of North Texas Press, 1994
ISBN 10: 0929398661
ISBN 13: 9780929398662
Used
Hardcover
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
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hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_433684081
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Catch Rope: Long Arm of Cowboy (Western Life Series)
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Texas A & M University Press, 1994
ISBN 10: 0929398661
ISBN 13: 9780929398662
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Hardcover
Seller: Shore Books, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 174 pages. (SL#151). Seller Inventory # SB0171
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Catch Rope: The Long Arm of the Cowboy (The history and evolution of ranch roping)
Published by
University of North Texas Press, 1994
ISBN 10: 0929398661
ISBN 13: 9780929398662
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Hardcover
Seller: BennettBooksLtd, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0929398661