Chasing the Rodeo: On Wild Rides and Big Dreams, Broken Hearts and Broken Bones, and One Man's Search for the West

Stratton, W. K.

ISBN 10: 0151010722 / ISBN 13: 9780151010721

Published by Harcourt, Inc,, Orlando, 2005

About this Item

First printing (full letter line). The author "follows this quest for one seson of the pro rodeeo and bull-riding tours." The book has neither wear nor defects. No ownner's marks. The fragile paper dust jacket has a small hole at back flap crease. It has no trsars or wear. To prevent any further damage, I have installed a mylar book jacket cover. It improved the appearence, too. I will send the book to you well packed in a box.

Seller Inventory # 0003810

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Chasing the Rodeo: On Wild Rides and Big Dreams, Broken Hearts and Broken Bones, and One Man's Search for the West
• Publisher: Harcourt, Inc,, Orlando
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0151010722
• ISBN 13: 9780151010721
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good or Better
• Seller catalogs:
  • Americana

About this title

Synopsis

From its roots as the quintessential Western pastime, rodeo has grown to an international, prime-time television sport. Steeped in tradition and the independent spirit of the range, aspiring cowboys and cowgirls are called to its high-stakes, rough-and-tumble fame as they risk their lives for eight seconds of triumph.

In Chasing the Rodeo W. K. Stratton follows this quest for one season of the pro rodeo and bull-riding tours. He explores the history of the chutes -- from rodeo's disputed origins (Prescott, Arizona, or Pecos, Texas?) to its current skyrocketing popularity. But out on the trail Stratton finds more than calf-roping and unrideable bulls, uncovering a culture complete with myths, codes of honor, million-dollar purses, Cowboy Church, and the kinds of legends that make good stories unforgettable.

Just such a story emerges here as Stratton tells of his runaway "rodeo bum" father --Cowboy Don -- whose specter haunts his travels on the circuit. As he learns more about the life that proved too seductive for his father to abandon, Stratton fills in a portrait of the man he never knew but whose legacy he couldn't help but inherit.

Filled with cowboy longing and rodeo dreams, this is a tribute to the characters of the West -- Freckles Brown, Lucille Mulhall (the first cowgirl), Wild Bill Hickock, Lane Frost, and today's superstars like Jesse Bail. In the great tradition of Wallace Stegner and Ken Kesey, W. K. Stratton fashions an expansive tale out of the gritty reality of the life around us. Chasing the Rodeo is a bucking, riveting, glorious ride -- you'll want to hang on for the whole go-round.

About the Authors

W. K. (KIP) STRATTON is a native of the Southwest. His journalism has appeared in GQ, Sports Illustrated, Outside, and Southern Magazine, among others. He now writes for the Dallas Morning News and lives in Austin, Texas.

W. K. (KIP) STRATTON is a native of the Southwest. His journalism has appeared in GQ, Sports Illustrated, Outside, Southern Magazine, and the Dallas Morning News. He lives in Austin, Texas.