"The myths and legend of the American West meet the real-life struggles and triumphs of Black cowboys in this fascinating account from journalist Cartwright. . . . This stirring history will have readers rethinking the very definition of Americana."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Cartwright's writing is exceptional. The reader is treated to superb narrative storytelling that makes domestic scenes and road trips just as lively as the rodeos themselves. The author uses oral histories to communicate his subjects' thoughts and experiences in a way that renders complex issues approachable."—Meg Frisbee, South Dakota History
"This is a fantastic book and is a history book that hopefully never gets lost or forgotten. . . . This is a book that should be required reading in American History classes."—Tom Knuppel, KNUP Sports
"An entertaining and informative addition to the genre."—Daily Kos
“Keith Ryan Cartwright’s book is an essential corrective to the lily-white history of the cowboy and the American West that has been promoted by motion pictures and white supremacists for centuries. It works as both a sweeping look at the cowboy ethos and profiles of scores of those whose greatness made America.”—Nelson George, author, filmmaker, music and culture critic
“Can I get a yee-haw? Black Cowboys of Rodeo is a marvel of a book—built with muscular research and smooth writing, resurrecting larger-than-life characters who will amaze and inspire readers. Cowboys have long been symbols of American grit and self-reliance. Black cowboys are that and more. Thank goodness their stories are finally being told—and told so beautifully.”—Jonathan Eig, best-selling author of Ali: A Life
“Hollywood has not always been on the right side of history when it comes to portraying Black cowboys, but a thoroughly researched book like Black Cowboys of Rodeo finally amends that narrative.”—Blair Underwood, actor, producer, and director
“Keith Ryan Cartwright’s masterful excavation of the contribution of Black cowboys to American history is both rich and timely. The engaging stories of the individuals in Black Cowboys of Rodeo chronicle the lives and struggles of men who were not only field hands and laborers but family men, businessmen, entertainers, and entrepreneurs. This book will be illuminating to many still unfamiliar with the important role they played in the taming and shaping of the American West.”—Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas
“Keith Ryan Cartwright is a master storyteller, who has accomplished what could be considered his life’s work in his first attempt. This is a very important book coming at an equally important time.”—Ty Murray, nine-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion
“From the Gene Autry epigraph that opens it, this entire book is a revelation—a lively and comprehensive look at a subculture, but one that spills its bounds to become a sweeping panorama of American life. Depression-era foreclosures, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, crashing the Oscars, John Wayne’s Dollar and Roy Rogers’s Trigger, plus cameos from Willie Nelson, Medgar Evers, Aretha Franklin’s ex-husband, and Muhammad Ali (on horseback!)—hold on for the ride, because Black Cowboys of Rodeo will buck off every one of your preconceptions.”—Alexander Wolff, best-selling author of The Audacity of Hoop: Basketball and the Age of Obama
