Ranch Boy

By H. Steven Robertson

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582442169
• ISBN13: 9781582442167
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Netsource Dist Services
• Length: 293 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A moving & thoroughly entertaining story of personal growth

Set in rural Florida, Ranch Boy by H. Steven Robertson is a story about coming of age, as a young man by the name of Robbie Duncan matures and yearns for freedom from his father's stern and absolute control. Fulfilling his dream of becoming a cowboy, Robbie soon learns that the reality of ranch work is far harsher than the dreamy illusions he once held, as tending to animals and laboring in orange groves is physically exhausting work. Yet satisfaction and independence come of a job done well, in this moving and thoroughly entertaining story of personal growth and accomplishment.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE, FOR SURE...

Steve Robertson and I both grew up in Sebring. He was the handsome jock; I was the martial arts geek who didn't play team sports. He grew up with a militant, demanding father. I was sort of a "preacher's kid," but no less demanded of.Those insignificant differences in background aside, I loved Ranch Boy. Steve has a simple style of writing that draws you right into the world of the teenage protagonist. His descriptions of the town, the people, (many identified by their real names), the work on the ranch, his neighborhood, and especially the boy's relationship with "Jane," are so accurate and poignant that no one who grew up in that place and time could possibly do other than identify strongly.I knew Steve at that age. I knew the people he writes about, the teenage doubts (although he doesn't admit to many), the ideals and mores of the time, the young people he grew up with, dated, palled around with, played ball with, worked on the ranch with, and loved. He's got it dead on. If you remember the early '60's...if you were an adolescent in those far more innocent days...then you owe it to yourself to read Ranch Boy. If you don't, obviously you won't be sorry...but you'll sure as hell be missing a wonderfully nostalgic experience, and a good tale as well.

From the Author

Set in Sebring, Florida about 1959, the story is intentionally written as a sweet, simple tale of human metamorphosis of a child as he experiences hard work on the ranch, scary events with the huge animals, exhausting work in the orange groves, success on the football field and his first love affair which result in a transition from the child to a strong, well-adjusted adult. It is a story that everyone of us has lived as we have all traveled the journey to adulthood. What were the things that happened to you when you were 13, 14, 15 and 16 that set the path to who you are? What was your first real (adult type) affair with a member of the opposite sex like? I would rate the story PG and suggest that it is appropriate for individuals 15 years and above although, especially by today's standards, there is nothing really bad in it...

Old Florida Nostalgia

First time author Steve Robertson has penned an intriguing, very accurate story of growing up in 1950's Central Florida. Written as a coming-of-age tale, it takes the reader from Robbie Duncan's first pangs of puppy love through the agonies of summer high school football training to a heart-stopping, breath-taking, gut-wrenching confrontation with a full ton of murderous Brahman bull gone wild. For those of us born and raised in the Florida of the 1950's, this Old Florid narrative will bring back the nostalgia of youth.