Jack Creek Cowboy

Deborah Abbott

Johnson's color photo-essay, which negates a lot of romantic cowboy myths, focuses on the experiences of two brothers, 10-year-old Justin Whitlock and 12-year-old Corey, whose dad works as a hand on the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming. Justin, for example, is uncomfortable on and around horses. He must hone his cowboy skills, such as riding and roping, before he can spend two weeks at the Jack Creek mountain cabin grazing cattle. Life in the rustic cabin (wood-stove heat, no running water, and no electricity) forces the boys and the other cowboys to concentrate on the basics. Once a week they return to the ranch for a bath and to replenish their supplies. The book touches on the controversy about allowing ranchers to graze cattle in our national forests for a fee. Although most of the color photos present large, crisp, beautiful panoramic scenes, a few are blurry and detract from the overall quality. Still, the book gives a realistic view of life in the West for cowboys of all ages. An appealing dust jacket is a plus.