Rodeo in America

"Woven throughout is an accurate portrayal of the occupational folk culture of rodeo cowboys and the mythic significance of these modern-day purveyors of the cowboy code."—Montana The Magazine of Western History

"If you want to buy one easy-to-read and entertainingly written book about rodeo, this is the one to get."—Cowboy Magazine

"This fantastic book is a creative and engrossing blend of history and contemporary rodeo life that is authentic, accurate and right on the money."—Quarter Horse Journal

"Even if your heroes have never been cowboys, Rodeo in America provides an astute and thorough exploration of the myriad culture elements of the rodeo, and with its deft balance and a steady lasso illuminates this distinctively dusty American subculture."—Kansas City Star

"Throughout the book, Wooden and Ehringer present their thoughts much like a good vocal duo; each sings his own tune, but the melodies harmonize well. Wooden’s is an overview giving us the big picture—how, where, and why rodeo has found its place in American society and our culture. Ehringer gives us an up-close and personal look at the cowboys and characters who have had an impact on the sport and on the American public."—Western Horseman

"This is a book to add to your rodeo library, or to start one with."—Cowboys & Indians

"In this excellent volume, [Wooden and Ehringer] go behind the scenes to examine the culture of rodeo today. The book is extremely comprehensive, and it is hard to imagine a topic not thoroughly covered. The authors examine the social backgrounds of cowboys, the lifestyle of the amateur and professional rodeo movies. Highly recommended."—Choice

"The definitive book on rodeo near the end of the twentieth century."—Randy Witte, publisher of Western Horseman

"Rodeo in America is the most comprehensive, probing look to date at modern rodeo. It takes you behind the chutes to see rodeo firsthand and up close. You’ll learn about the pranks, pain, and joy of going down the road. You’ll meet rodeo cowboys firsthand, from weekend warriors to seasoned NFR pros. Rodeo fans and Western enthusiasts in particular will enjoy rubbing elbows with the performers, judges, clowns, bullfighters, stock contractors, and host of others who give rodeo its excitement and appeal."—Richard W. Slatta, author of Cowboys of the Americas

"As America becomes more and more urbanized, fewer and fewer people have an understanding of rodeo, either as sport or as folk entertainment. This book, containing a wealth of behind-the-scenes information, provides the uninitiated with a sense of what rodeo is really like."—James F. Hoy, author of Cowboys and Kansas

"Highly recommended. Here is an authentic and engaging book that makes this unique and fascinating American cowboy sport come alive. It presents such a clear and exuberant picture of rodeo that readers may well want to pack up and start ‘on down the road!’"—Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence, author of Rodeo: An Anthropologist Looks at the Wild and the Tame