Lost Cowboys: A Journey Through Cowboy Culture
Book Review: Lost Cowboys by Hank Wangford
Introduction
Did you realize that there were no horses or cows in the Americas until Columbus introduced them on his return visit in 1494? Or that the first cowboys were not those of North America, but the gauchos, huasos, llaneros, and vaqueros of Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and Mexico? I certainly didn’t, until I read Hank Wangford’s revealing study of cowboy culture, from Patagonia in South America to the Alamo in Texas.
Content Overview
The book is full of interesting facts and stories about cowboy heroes who were previously unknown to me. One such man was Martín Miguel de Güemes, who in 1806 rode with thirty other gauchos into the waters of the River Plate and captured a British ship. The event is narrated with Wangford’s characteristic sense of humor, which will have you laughing out loud from beginning to end.
If you are not a great fan of the Western genre, don’t be put off by the title. What I liked about Lost Cowboys was that it does more than simply trace the history of cattlemen on horseback. It provides a fascinating insight into the customs, food, music, geography, and wildlife of a whole continent. There’s something for everyone in this book, from enthusiastic and vivid descriptions of the scenery to information on dances and singing traditions, such as the gaucho payadas – I had no idea that people could fight with just their voices as weapons!
Conclusion
Lost Cowboys is an excellent read. It is both entertaining and educational, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in travel books.
Writing Plan: Book Review
1) Introduction: (Paragraph 1)
Write an introductory paragraph that introduces the book and catches the readers’ interest.
2) Main body: (Paragraphs 2 & 3):
a) A brief summary of the book’s contents (e.g., the main characters, the setting, and book genre – romance, thriller). Be careful not to reveal too much of the story, or you’ll ruin it for new readers.
b) Analyze or critique the book. You can write about your own opinions; just be sure that you explain and support them with examples. Some questions you might want to consider:
- Did the author achieve his or her purpose?
- What did you like/dislike about the book?
- Did you have a favorite character?
- Is the writing effective, powerful, difficult, beautiful?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book?
- For non-fiction, what are the author’s qualifications to write about the subject? Do you agree with the author’s arguments and conclusions?
- What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, dull?
- Have you learned anything from the book?
3) Conclusion: (Final Paragraph)
Finish your review with one or two sentences that summarize your overall response to the book/film. Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?