Makin' Circles with a Rope: The Lore of the Lasso Wizards. Introduction by Sara Dobberteen. Photographs from the Author's Collection.

Signed and inscribed by the Author. Octavo, red textured boards (hardcover), gilt letters, 83 pp. Fine in a Fine, mylar protected dust jacket. From Introduction: Ever since I headed west and climbed atop Persimmon Hill to join the Cowboy Hall of Fame, I've had an insatiable appetite for trick roping. After watching that choice old film of Will Rogers' , The Ropin' Fool, dozens of times, it still beats me how he could spin those big, lazy loops so effortlessly. I've stared endlessly at photos of legendary ropers like Chester Byers and Junior Eskew and the dashing Mexican charros who competed in the Cowboy Hall of Fame World Championship Trick and Fancy Roping Competition in 1966. Organized rodeo, it seems to me, made a big mistake when they dropped trick roping and riding as contest events. As a result, I've only seen a few ropers perform in real life. One memorable night here at the Hall, we invited Montie Montana and his horse, Rex, to perform for a glittering Western Heritage banquet. First of all, Montie got to the stage by casually riding horseback between the crowded tables, much to the astonishment of the black-tie audience. Western Americana, Americana, Cowboy, U.S.-iana, American Culture. uslic.…