Coyotes I Have Known

This is a wonderful book that should be read with GOOD YEARS FOR THE BUZZARDS, Duncklee's account of his attempt at ranching in the drought-ridden '50s. COYOTES is something of a follow-up, now finding the author buying and selling cattle and horses in the border country between Arizona and Mexico in the 1960s. Having read both, what strikes me is Duncklee's restless spirit, a hallmark of Western pioneers, where green grass and gold nuggets are just beyond the next range. At one point Duncklee even claims that he would give it all up for a real home. Did he ever find one? The end of the book hints at changes to come, much of which probably had to do with Duncklee switching gears and going into writing and teaching. Don't know the guy, so I can't say. Is he a cowboy, as the other review claims? Maybe. Seems more like a lot of the gentlemen I used to know in the 60s and 70s rattling around the stock pens and rodeo arenas of Arizona, one foot in the Old West and one hitched to a bar stool. Find both books and enjoy.

...because that's what you'll get. I've met John Duncklee and he's a charismatic cowboy who's lived more in his life than three men could fit in their's. His charm and sincerity translates on the page to weave a gripping narative of his experiences and revelations as he struggles to make a fortune doing what he loves, roping and wrangling. While the book is educational and engaging on the subject of ranching, herding, and spotting a cheat, it tends to lose the audience if they're not already absolutely fascinated with those subjects. No one could write about being a modern cowboy better than John Dunklee, but the reader must be in love with cowboys.