Most informative for me were the sections on the differing traditions of Texas-style cowboys, who range across the Southwest and eastern slopes of the Rockies, and California-style buckaroos, who work the Great Basin of Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. The details of cowboy gear are also presented well, with accompanying photographs and interviews with saddlemakers. A glossary at the back of the book defines a lot of these terms: hackamore, jinglebobs, mecate, snaffle bits. It also includes cowboy terminology, which often shows up in the interviews: roping cattle, drag the calves, pull a wagon.

A great pleasure is reading the words of cowboys themselves, as they express their various opinions, relate their memories of adventures, and talk about horses. What comes across over and again is a love of this way of life, despite the fact that looking after cattle on horseback is hard physical labor and pays little. You understand their pride, their sense of self-reliance and the importance of being recognized by others as "the man for the job." I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the West, cowboys, and ranching. A good companion volume (out of print) is "Buckaroos in Paradise" by Howard Marshall.

Having spent the better part of my childhood on the back of a horse pretending to be a 'real cowgirl,' I found myself all wrapped up in memories while reading this fresh look at the life of modern-day cowboys.

The author, a true cowboy himself, traveled all over the south and west photographing working ranches and the people who own/work them. The author must have spent a good deal of time interviewing his subjects, because the book offers up some great stories/quotes, too.

The book is broken down into interesting chapters such as: THE COWBOY LIFESTYLE - RANCHING COUNTRY - GETTING IT DONE -- FAMILY LIFE - RANCH HORSES (my particular favorite) - DEFINING THE COWBOY - RANCHING TRADITIONS.

Some of my favorite quotes: On Ranch Horses: "If a horse ain't plum lame when you get done nailing the shoes on, you've done all right."

"There is something about a horse. They are a lot prettier animal than a man is, but not quite as pretty as a woman. They are beautiful animals. I was raising horses when I was raising my children. I raised them together. I credit that relationship with the fact that not one of my children has ever been involved in with drugs." (Rex Allen)

Or, the one in Family Life: "I'm Dusty, my wife is Sandy, my boy is Rocky, and my dauther's name is Wendy. Our names describe this ranch perfectly." (Dusty Ray)

I'm keeping this book on my coffee table for easy access. When I'm feeling penned up, I'll open it up, look at the wonderful photos, read the quotes and dream of life under the big sky of Montana or the scrub bushes of New Mexico.

Enjoy!

And it is this kind of message that reminds me that we have a ways to go in race relations.

This book is a collection of stories from famous women, both white and black, about their experiences with race.

While every chapter had me deeply moved, I must say that the chapter titled, "Contents Under Pressure: White Woman/Black History," by Catherine Clinton, was the most moving.

This is a story about a white woman who teaches African-American History.

This is, a reverse discrimination story that has value for everyone to read. By her name, and her profession, she is assumed to be African-American. But she is Caucasian.

Her published work has led to many invitations to speak on race relations.

But, when they meet her, in person, and see that she is not African-American, things change.

And she had to put in a tremendous amount of time, to show that she is here to stay, despite the resistence of others.

In the end, this professor taught her students that the thickness of your skin, and not its color is a useful measure for success.

This is a professor whose mission lives on through her students.

I invite everyone male or female, of all races to read this book, as you think of yourself as a fly on the wall.

You will grow, beyond your wildest dreams.

"The Wisdom of John Paul II" is not only a great addition to your inspirational or religious library; it's also a great addition to any library. I suggest giving this book as a gift, especially if you're looking for something meaningful that can be read over and over (instead of being used as a dust-collector). Non-Catholics and even non-religious will find the Pope's words inspiring, and his message of universal love can be understood and appreciated by all. He does not viciously attack groups in conflict with Church teachings but graciously approaches controversy as does a leader of the faith. Wherever he acts as an apologetic, he does so with the patience and firmness that has guided the Church through more than two decades.

This book, in part, acts as an intimate autobiography as it his diary of his times and how he has confronted the Church and society he has been entrusted. What makes this papal journal stand out from the rest though is that it is more than a portrait of the Pope or a collection of his quotes. His words represent one man's thoughts, but it also gives us a strong picture of his vision for the Catholic Church of the new millennium. Every issue is one that immediately concerns contemporary society, and that makes this book such an enjoyable and necessary read.