Trail Fever: The Life of a Texas Cowboy

In my admiration for this fun, fascinating, fact-filled book, I yield to no authority but the eminent KIRKUS REVIEWS: "George Saunders participated in many great cattle drives from 1871 to 1886; later, he spent years collecting and setting down his aging comrades' reminiscences. His career makes a thrilling tale, full of danger and hardship, stampedes, hostile Native Americans, rough country, and bad weather. Lightfoot also depicts Saunders's life between drives as a rancher and businessman, a solid citizen who rode with a vigilante group but also stepped forward to prevent a local massacre of Mexicans, at a time when racial tensions ran high. ...readers will get a clear idea of a cowhand's work, and of Saunders's important role in preserving the lore of a vanished era. Bibliography. (Biography. 10-12)"-KIRKUS REVIEWS

Trail Fever brings to life the true adventures of a Texas hero, George Washington Saunders. George was a gallant cowboy who braved stampedes, storms, droughts, and outlaws. D.J. Lightfoot tells this nonfiction story with thrilling description and a narrative full of adventure and danger. This is an exceptional easy-to-read biography with plenty of rich, authentic detail--perfect for schools, libraries, and homes. I especially loved the part where 20-year-old Saunders stopped a vigilante group of nearly 80 men from mistakenly taking revenge on some Mexican people. Lightfoot makes the reading easy, but most important she makes the reading fun and exciting. This is a perfect book for youngsters or anyone who'd like to get a genuine experience of a courageous man and an interesting era!