Like so many other reviewers, my copy of this marvelous book is tattered, dog-earred and just plain worn-out! When real cowboys and ranch-hands give this book the "thumbs-up," then you know that you've got something REALLY special going on. Jack Schaefer has woven his vignettes of Monte Walsh's life into a superb compilation of the "real" cowboy life, full of bumps and bruises, growing pains, life lessons, cantankerous behavior and bonds that last longer than a mere lifetime. Monte's and Chet's story is a true love story, but not the kind that today's society so often thinks of---this is the love that two men, buddies for life, have for one another, and the absolute devotion that they have for the other is remarkably told here. Filled with truly memorable characters and events, this is a must-read for anyone seeking to learn what it truly means to be called a cowboy. Honest, gritty, hilarious, and heartbreaking, Monte Walsh is simply the best of the best. Once you've read it, you'll find yourself reading it again and again through the years. Just try it and you'll see for yourself!

I have lived the life of a cowboy. I know what goes on with horses and cattle. This book is a good depiction of a real cowboys lifestyle. Some people think that the American cowboy has gone the way of the Indian; but I assure you there are still people out there like Monte Walsh, riding bad horses and people like Chet Rollins, roping ornery critters. This is an excellent book for anybody who has ever dreamed of being a cowboy and even for the folks in the city who feel like they might have a little cowboy in them somewhere. Read it...live it.

"Monte Walsh" is definitely a repeat-reader. I have revisited the Slash Y ranch 6 times since 1990 (which was when I started keeping records). The book always leaves me with a peaceful, easy feeling, taking me to a place and time when life was both more challenging and yet simpler. Those were the days when the highest praise was "He was a good man with a horse." Schaefer's writing style is unique and infectious. I find myself picking up the language and phrases he uses. ("Shucks, it's a horse, ain't it?") The novel consists of a series of short stories, each centering on Monte Walsh, but not connected in traditional novel style. The author captures both the toughness and wildness of the traditional cowboy lifestyle, but also display the unique emotional make-up of the cowboys, their loyalty to one another and to the brand, and their boyish sentimentality and enthusiasm. I pull out my worn and dog-eared copy of "Monte Walsh" whenver I need total relaxation and escape. If I hadn't just re-read it last month, I'd pull it off the shelf now and read it again.

This is an extremely clever book that explains to the youngest audience how stories are written. With gentle humor in both the text and the illustrations, this book works both as a fairy tale and as an introduction to writing.

While an entertaining book, it is somewhat hard to read because it is not well organized chronologically. Could have been a lot better.

Cook and Walsh give a great story of major league baseballs favorite past time, trading. from some of the most famous trades to others that your grandaddy might not know about. It's great book for the baseball historian or for the first time baseball fan whose interested in the nations great pastime. Cook and Walsh write with a color that is rarely seen in a book about this great game. The style should encourage one and all to read up and enjoy.