An Accidental Cowboy

by Jameson Parker

Book Overview

A stunning and breathtaking memoir that pays homage to a dying way of life. "An Accidental Cowboy" is a story of trauma, depression, and the beginnings of hope, set against the backdrop of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312310242
• ISBN13: 9780312310240
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A great read!

I loved this book. I have been a fan of Mr. Parker since he starred in "Simon and Simon" in the 80s, and always wondered what had become of him. In "An Accidental Cowboy" I found out. I commend him for writing about things that he probably would have rather forgotten -- his depression, his suicidal thoughts, etc. It is very hard to explain things you do not know yourself. And to open yourself up to total strangers, even when you don't have to look those people in the face, is especially difficult. Thank you for being so honest. The stories about ranch life were very entertaining. Even people who have never been on a ranch before should find them fascinating. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, where we had cattle and horses, and I was caught up in the day-to-day life of the California cowboys. I will never forget this book, and I hope anyone else who reads it enjoys it as much as (most of) the reviewers here did.

Well-written and THOROUGHLY enjoyable!

I've read a lot of books, and while many of them may be fun to read, they are not always well-written. This book is both. I grew up on a farm and thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Parker's account of ranch life. His account is witty and fun to read, as well as being right on target with how cowboy life really is. At the same time, Mr. Parker has a wonderful grasp of the English language. His descriptions are easy to visualize and some of his comparisons are poetic as well as funny/heart-rending depending on what he is depicting. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read and one that is worth reading a second time.

A very enjoyable read.

I loved all the cowboy stories! Being a "city-slicker" it was all new to me and yet I found the stories interesting, and very, very funny at times. The parts about the shooting and the aftermath were hard to read and I was very surprised that the writer exposed himself as much as he did. I thought that was very brave and I hope it helped him to get it down on paper. I never felt the writer to be overdramatic, whiney or self indulgent. ANY shooting, whether the wounds be superficial or not, is very tramatic. I question one reviewers motives when they say that they purchased the book out of "sheer boredom". They go on to say that they had no interest in reading about life on a ranch. Wouldn't reading about something you had no interest in cause you to become more bored? Could this review be a personal vendetta? Sounded like it to me.

Serious and Funny all in one!

I'm not much of a book reader, but a friend said to read this book. I have been around horses most of my life and a few years back started into the 'Real Cowboy' cattle ranch scene too! Mr. Parker has done a great job at describing in wonderful and funny detail what it is really like. Add in the history he has put in there and his very personal struggles makes for some great reading and a book I could not put down until done! Great Job!

LIFE

The story illustrates how a single event can bring long lasting changes to a life. The nature of his injury has nothing to do with the trauma inflicted by a random act of terror.The relationships he builds with the other cowboys and his appreciation for all of the animals on the ranch leads to a primal charm of self reliance and freedom.The harsh risks of ranch life pale in comparison to the artifical dangers and trauma the average city person faces each day.In conclusion the book is a statement of the pursuit of individual feedom ,something that is lost in our present society.