The Cowboy Way, ed. by Paul H Carlson

Exploring the myth and reality of the cowpoke, this round-up of essays will entertain both greenhorns and old-timers. We learn that the first group to be termed cowboys were the "Tories" who fought with the British during the Revolutionary Wars. During their heyday, cowboys might be Indian, black or even British. The Earl of Aylesford became "a fully accepted member of the West Texas cowboy sub-culture". We're assured that cowboy humour "has something to offer even the most jaded sophisticate" and reminded of Gene Autry's Cowboy Commandments: "No.10: The cowboy is a patriot."