King of the Cowboys

By Ty Murray

Book Overview

The most famous rodeo champion of all time tells his amazing true story -- and opens a fascinating window into the world of the professional cowboy.

Ty Murray was born to be a rodeo star -- in fact, his first words were "I'm a bull rider." Before he was even out of diapers, he was climbing atop his mother's Singer sewing machine case, which just so happened to be the perfect mechanical bull for a 13-month-old. Before long, Ty was winning peewee events by the hatful, and his special talent was obvious...obvious even to a man called Larry Mahan. At the time the greatest living rodeo legend, six-time champion Mahan invited a teenaged Ty Murray to spend a summer on his ranch learning not just rodeoing but also some life lessons. Those lessons prepared Ty for a career that eventually surpassed even Mahan's own -- Ty's seven All-Around Championships.

In King of the Cowboys, Ty Murray invites us into the daredevil world of rodeo and the life of the cowboy. Along the way, he details a life spent constantly on the road, heading to the next event; the tragic death of his friend and fellow rodeo star Lane Frost; and the years of debilitating injuries that led some to say Ty Murray was finished.

He wasn't. In fact, Ty Murray has brought the world of rodeo into the twenty-first century, through his unparalleled achievements in the ring, through advancing the case for the sport as a television color-commentator, and through the Professional Bull Riders, an organization he helped to build.

In the end, though, Ty Murray is first and foremost a cowboy, and now that he's retired from competition, he takes this chance to reflect on his remarkable life and career. In King of the Cowboys, Ty Murray opens up his world as never before.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141657039X
• ISBN13: 9781416570394
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Amazing Bio

This was deff. worth the money. I knew alot about Ty, but after reading this book I know exactly why he is called the King of Cowboys.

EXCELLENT BOOK!

If you are a fan of Rodeo or of Ty Murray or just want to read a great book this is a must have. I highly recommend this book for yourself or what a great gift for the rodeo fan! Plus I must admit I am a huge Ty Murray fan!! :)

A must for any Ty Murray or rodeo fan!

I have always been a huge Ty Murray fan as he embodies all the things any athlete should strive to emulate. He is not bragging at all in this book, simply listing the facts as they actually happened. Ty didn't just stumble onto the sport of rodeo, he was passionate about it from a very young age. He didn't reach the professional level by pure talent, he relentlessly trained and practiced throughout his entire career. The true Ty Murray fans will love the detail with which he describes his accomplishments and his struggles. You have the chance to see his true character as he struggles back from FOUR back to back injuries. His injuries (both shoulders and both knees) would have been career ending for almost any other athlete. However he worked harder than ever through three years of rehab and intense training to come back and still be at the top of his game. When Ty decided to stop riding it wasn't because his skill level was declining, it was because he drive to win and to compete just wasn't there anymore. Ty doesn't believe in doing anything half-heartedly and if he wasn't going to go out there and try to win every round of every event then he decided he shouldn't be competing anymore. This book is a great lesson in dedication and the hard work it takes to be a champion.

Glad I read it!

When I first saw the reviews for this book I shied away from it but then I decided to form my own opinion. I'm glad I did. Not only was it a look into his life but I also got a glimpse of other greats like Cody Lambert, Tuff Hedeman and Lane Frost. I don't believe he was bragging but saying things as they are. It's a very positve book and I had my teenage sons read it. He talks about living your dreams and doing your best. I think it's awesome he went to college and graduated cum laude. He has lived a most interesting and busy life. I don't know about "King of the cowboys" but he's most certaintly at the top the list.

Comprehensive and a Well Deserved Ego

I'm amazed at how well Ty packed his life into such a neat little package. I feel as though I grew up next to him and followed his progress as close as a proud parent. Any rider with so many marked achievements is going to have positive and motivating things to say and though this may draw fire from some, I feel it's well deserved. If you are good enough to rack up the wins as consistently and methodically as Ty did, then you are good enough to be admired and ignore the sour grapes. Once again, I feel as though I were standing right beside Ty from the time he was a toddler to the day he retired from rodeo and I was able to cheer and cry at the appropriate times. I recommend this book to anyone interested in either Rodeo or Good Sportsmanship. Ty shows how hard work, taking responsibility, passion and determination pay off in the end and provides a good role model to all.