"The concept for this book was to choose typical, important ranches which for one reason or another had an impact on Texas and the West.... Clayton covers the daily way of life, the dynamics of ranch life, the struggles that went into creating and sustaining the ranches-- and the factors that contributed to and supported the dream-like myths of ranch life. Artist J. U. Salvant, in some superb watercolors, captures the nostalgia, the beauty, and the spirit of those ranches. Together Clayton and Salvant add a beautiful and fascinating book to the shelves of Western literature and life." -- Journal of American Culture "The book is 'a must' for cattle people, wildlife enthusiasts, historians, and the general public interested in Western or Texas ranching history." -- Journal of the West

The open range was fenced in long ago, and cattle now ride to market in eighteen-wheel trucks, but ranching remains a proud way of life for many Texans. This volume captures the best of that life in lovely watercolor paintings and an inviting text that traces the history and present-day operations of twelve prominent ranches with deep roots in Texas history.

Lawrence Clayton and J. U. Salvant impart the traditions and spirit of each ranch, including the Four Sixes, Green, Iron Mountain, King, Lambshead, Matador, Pitchfork, Swenson, Waggoner, XIT, Y.O., and Yturria. Clayton writes of the timeless round of tasks that ranchers and cowboys perform today as their forebears did and also describes changes in ranching that have taken place over the years.