I See by Your Outfit: Becoming a Cowboy a Century Too Late

by Clay Bonnyman Evans

Book Overview

Clay Evans can't quite put his finger on exactly what made him decide to become a cowboy -- after all, growing up in Boulder, Colorado, he'd been keener on Batman than Roy Rogers -- but, at the age... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555662390
• ISBN13: 9781555662394
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Johnson Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

from Boulder, CO

I loved the book. It made me understand the struggles within a grown up boy who had everything and just wanted to experience life at its fullest and chose being a cowboy. Clay's talent is how he sees things a little different and is able to describe them on paper and make you say oh yeah!

A rodeo ride that boomers and gen Xers will love

The title of this book is unfortunately deceiving. It gives the impression that this wonderful story is about a guy who believes that becoming a cowboy requires only dressing the part. In fact, Clay Evans skillfully takes us on a coming of age adventure. He doesn't just dabble with the idea of going native; he works his knuckles raw and forsakes his comfortable yuppie upbringing in Boulder, Colorado to crisscross the West as an itinerant wrangler. It's a book that any Baby Boomer or Generation Xer who has ever contemplated the cowboy legend should read. You'll be surprised where this book takes you. It ain't a romantic gallop off into the sunset or any Coca-cola cowboy kind of crap. It's something far more meaningful. Bring on the screenplay, Clay.

Becoming a Cowboy --- Myths Explored, Truths Told

Clay's book really gives a good look at how a young man not born into the cowoby life becomes a cowboy through his own determination and hard work. I felt his exuberance over hard ranch work, learning the cowboy skills and the thrill of finally being recognized as a "real" cowboy because of his hard-earned skills and accomplishments. He painted a realistic look at modern ranching and cowboying and explores the myths and realities. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the cowboy life, ranching, horses and riding. For an in-depth look at ranching through the eyes of a 40-year old man who had the same cowboy dreams as Clay, I'd highly recommend The Cowboy Way by David McCumber.

witty, funny, true and artfully done

All those fellas, young and old, with the unsatisfied yen to be a cowboy will profit from Clay Evan's true confessions. It may not cure them, but it's witty, funny, true and artfully done.

a full-bodied memoir of Western life

Clay Evans' I See By Your Outfit is the real McCoy, a full-bodied memoir of Western life that doesn't shy away from diffficult truths, but rather places them carefully in the context of what it means to make a living in the cowboy tradition today. Packed with emotional truth and honesty, his story resonates long after the last page is turned. I highly recommend it.