|
Leigh Greenwood | Why are Cowboys the Ultimate romance heroes?
November 30, 2012
That's an intriguing question, one I believe has a long history of continuous
development until it reached the position that it occupies today. Let's begin
by describing a real cowboy was actually like. He was usually a young man between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six who wanted
more adventure than his home in the East provided. He was a cowhand, sometimes
a foreman, and occasionally a rancher. His job was unglamourous, the hours
long, and he was too poorly paid to allow him a wife and family. His constant
companions were his horse (usually a mustang) and the cows he tended. His bed
was a hard mattress in a bunkhouse or a bedroll under the stars. He rarely saw
women or a town. When he did, he tended to drink up his wages or spend it on
the ladies. He often worked alone with only his wit and courage to protect him
from danger. As long as he took his boss's pay, his loyalty was unwavering. As a group, these men opened the West, facing danger with only their ambition
and their guns to back them up. They fought for honor and justice - and
profit. When necessary, they didn't hesitate to provide the justice
themselves. They would defend the honor of a "good " woman without hesitation,
but spent most of their time and money on women of less virtue. Because there
often was no law, a man's word was his bond. A cowboy's few possession were a
wide-brimmed hat, a shirt and vest, tight-fitting pants, boots, and spurs. His
employer usually provided the mustang, saddle, rope, rifle, bedroll, and a small
pot for cooking his food and making coffee. The first step in popularizing this young man was to lift this lonely figure out
of its oblivion and introduce it to the rest of the world. That process started
even before the heyday of the cowboy had passed. Many people contributed to its
initial growth, especially the writers of dime novels. Maybe the most
significant was Buffalo Bill's Wild West shows which lasted for over thirty
years, toured Europe, and featured such performers as Annie Oakley, Sitting
bull, trick riding cowboys, and real buffalo. Then there were the writings of
such literary lions as Washington Irving, Robert Louis Stevenson, Bret Harte,
Mark Twain, O. Henry, Owen Wister (The Virginian), and Zane Grey. Nor
can we discount the influence of books written by Theodore Roosevelt (the cowboy
president) or the work of raconteur Will Rogers (Ziegfeld Follies, radio, 71
movies, and 4,000 newspaper columns.) With all of these contributing to keeping
the cowboy before the American public, it was inevitable it would attract the
attention of Hollywood. At that point the cowboy we know today was born. It didn't take much. All you needed was a handsome young man with a horse, a
gun, and that distinctive white hat. Pair that with a wrong to be righted (the
villains always wore black), and you were in business. Place the story far from
any city were law and order were only enforced by a gun and the courage of the
man holding it, and you had all the action and adventure a young man could dream
about. To quote Tom Mix, the first great cowboy star, "The Old West is not a
certain place in a certain time, it's a state of mind. It's whatever you want
it to be." Using the model Tom Mix and other early stars created, movie cowboys
proliferated. Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, Wild Bill Hickok,, the
Lone Ranger, the Cisco Kid, and Zorro were just a few of the most popular.
These were handsome young men who sang, rode beautiful horses, and never
hesitated to tackle evil no matter the odds against them. Yet they were
honorable and ready to risk their lives without expecting anything in return.
Part of their attraction was that they never married. Every woman could imagine
herself in their arms. In those shows, the good guy always won. They were
followed by such happy-ending television series such as Cheyenne, Maverick,
Wagon Train, The Rifleman, Maverick, Big Valley, even
Bonanza. But the television series that best depicted the heart of the
cowboy stood for was Gunsmoke. Though surrounded by people who love him, Matt Dillon was a loner who faced
every challenge with a stoicism that admitted of no alternative. Like Marshal
Kane in High Noon, it didn't matter if no one stood with him. Right had
to prevail, the innocent had to be protected, and his honor wouldn't allow him
to back down or compromise. John Wayne starred in western movies such as The Searchers (rated the
best western of all time) The Cowboys, and True Grit. Other
classic westerns are Cimarron, Lonesome Dove, and High
Noon. In my opinion, the iconic movie cowboy is best represented in
Shane. Weary of his shadowy past, Shane looks for a place where he can be at peace. He
finds it working for a homesteading family. He tries to avoid a confrontation
with a ruthless cattle baron, but when the baron hires a killer to attack the
family, Shane stands alone against the baron, his hired killer, and his
drygulching brother. Having saved all the homesteaders, he rides off alone into
the sunset. If any one man was able to pull together all the elements that made the cowboy
an icon, that man was Louis L'Amour. Drawing on the best of all that came
before him, Louis L'Amour penned over a hundred novels and hundreds of short
stories. His hero isn't merely a righter of wrongs. If he suspects there's
something wrong, he won't rest until he finds out what it is and brings the
guilty to justice. He's the man everyone turns to when there's no one else. He
won't quit no matter the obstacles, no matter how impossible it seems. For him,
defeat is simply not an option. He owes nothing to anyone but himself. When he
makes a promise, he keeps it regardless of the cost. He's not always handsome
and he doesn't know how to make sweet talk, but a woman knows he's a man to ride
the river with. For him, she's the pearl beyond price. "A breathtaking Western romance." —Romance Reviews on Texas
Pride In The Wrong Place... Roberta didn't mean to hurt anyone. But the night the masked bandits raided her
ranch, it was hard to tell friend from foe. She didn't know Nate Dolan was only
trying to help when she shot him in the chest. And when he offers to help her
catch the culprits, she only feels guiltier. The absolute least she can do is
nurse the rugged cowboy back to health... With All The Right Moves... Nate has been on the vengeance trail so long, he nearly forgot what a real home
looked like. And Roberta is mighty fine incentive to stay put for a while C even
if she has a stubborn streak as wide as the great state of Texas. She might be
convinced she's healing the wound in his chest, but neither of them known she's
also soothing the hurt in his heart. "Entertaining high-stakes adventure." —Booklist on Texas Pride ABOUT THE AUTHORLeigh Greenwood is the
author of the popular Seven Brides, Cowboy, and Night Riders series. The proud
father of three grown children, Leigh resides in Charlotte, NC. He never
intended to be a writer, but found it hard to ignore the people in his head, and
the only way to get them out was to write. Visit www.leigh-greenwood.com. Do you agree with Leigh about cowboys? One commenter will win a copy of HEART
OF A TEXAN
Comments
51 comments posted.
Re: Leigh Greenwood | Why are Cowboys the Ultimate romance heroes?
There are times that I think I was born into the wrong era because of my love of all things cowboy and I can never get enough. Looking forward to reading your work.
Good luck and happy wrting!
(Tracie Travis 1:35am November 30, 2012)
Sounds like a wonderful book.Look forward to reading it.
(Holly Vanderhule 1:59am November 30, 2012)
wow,great contest
(Kent Cook 6:53am November 30, 2012)
I would love to read this book!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:29am November 30, 2012)
I absolutely agree with Leigh about cowboys. They are free of spirit, hardworking, love of life bodies willing to take a cause they believe in. I truly enjoy reading about cowboys and know I would enjoy reading "Heart of a Texan".
(Beth Charette 9:38am November 30, 2012)
I also agree with Leigh! I see cowboys as tough and can handle most anything. I cant wait to read this book
(Julie Parrish 10:03am November 30, 2012)
I totally agree about cowboys. I have mostly watched the old cowboy films and haven't read a lot of books about them, so looking forward to checking this one out.
(Pam Howell 10:20am November 30, 2012)
I completely agree about cowboys. I have been in love with
cowboys when I discovered them in the 1950's with all the
wonderful television cowboys.
(Sharon Berger 10:38am November 30, 2012)
Yes, I totally agree about Cowboys! I am a farmers daughter
from Kansas and grew up 65 miles from Dodge City with Matt
Dillon and Gunsmoke. I have been riding horses since age 5.
Now, I am married to my Texas Cowboy for 24 years in Austin,
TX and life is great like the Wild West Days and we would
love to Win your great book: Heart of a Texan. Thanks so
much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 10:40am November 30, 2012)
I totally agree! Funny story...when I first moved to Dallas when I was 10 (I'm not going to say how long ago that was) I literally thought that they had no cars and that everyone rode around on horses with big cowboy hats. Boy was I wrong! You have to get pretty far outside of Dallas to get to find any real cowboys and when you do they are so down to earth and some of the hardest working men and women you will ever meet. They are also some of the friendliest and most caring people you will ever meet!
Thanks so much!
(Maria Smith 10:43am November 30, 2012)
Yes, I totally agree too. I would love to read your book!
(Lori Yost 11:02am November 30, 2012)
I've just read a book called Rodeo Rebel about a young woman who is a champion bull rider. She's a great, intelligent, strong hero! So it isn't just the men.
(Clare O'Beara 12:16pm November 30, 2012)
Because they work hard and look good in those tight jeans.
(Cynthia St. Germain 12:24pm November 30, 2012)
I wholeheartedly agree!
(Eva Segerblom 12:26pm November 30, 2012)
I love a good cowboy romance. Cowboys(and their women!)had such a strength of body and mind. You can't help but admire that.
(Cheryl Castings 12:36pm November 30, 2012)
I'm so glad to see this contest. It's been a while since I've read one of your books and this is a reminder to put your name on my list of authors. I enjoy good cowboy romances.
(Anna Speed 1:04pm November 30, 2012)
It has been awhile since I read a western romance... love those cowboys and their honor, their care for animals and their manners... have to add more western romances to my TBR pile! Thanks for sharing!
(Colleen Conklin 1:21pm November 30, 2012)
This book sounds really interesting. I do love cowboys and grew up with the television cowboy. I had forgotten that they never married except maybe the father on Bonanza but his three wives all died. I would like to add "Have Gun Will Travel" to your list. Like you mentioned all cowboys wern't handsome but they still had that cowboy charm.
(Kathleen Yohanna 1:55pm November 30, 2012)
There is something to Cowboys, a different set of rules, a wildness and beauty to them that can't be locked in - the earth and animals guide them as the blanket of the sky covers them, they can not be caged, they can not deny their spirit.
(Carla Carlson 2:22pm November 30, 2012)
I grew up watching cowboys on tv. their code of living can't
be beat. Thanks for the cnatest.
(Mary Hay 2:48pm November 30, 2012)
I have a special place in my heart for cowboys. There is an amazing and special thing about them!
(Wendy Hulbert 3:32pm November 30, 2012)
Cowboys seem to be uniquely American---and independent and honorable---all things that we look up to---at least in stories.
(Sue Farrell 3:53pm November 30, 2012)
Really enjoyed reading your blog on Cowboys. My husband makes sure I'm exposed to cowboys on T.V. 24/7. Book sounds great.
(Sheila True 4:00pm November 30, 2012)
I have always loved the cowboy since I was a child. I playewd cowboys and indians and always swore I was going to have a horse ranch when I grew up or was going to work on a ranch. Neitrher happened but I loved all of the westerns you mentioned and many more. John Wayne was my hero. As well as Jimmy Stewart and Glen Ford and many more. Great topic. Thanks for sharing. I read a lot of books about the cowboys and Montana.
(Diana Smith 4:11pm November 30, 2012)
I do like that the cowboy fights for what is right.
(Maureen Emmons 4:48pm November 30, 2012)
I think that cowboys have the reputation of being strong and on the side of
right. We often see them as all American and ready to defend a woman's
honor.
(Ann Sheiring 5:39pm November 30, 2012)
Sounds like the type of book I love to read, I'd love to win it.
(Wilma Frana 5:51pm November 30, 2012)
I enjoy reading about cowboys. They are a breed unto themselves: hard working and hard playing.
(Robin McKay 6:08pm November 30, 2012)
I agree with you. Most cowboys are honourable and will ride in to save the day, right the wrongs and seeing that justice is done. It also doesn't hurt that they have great bodies (and look great in tight jeans) from working hard all day. :-)
(Lisa White 6:26pm November 30, 2012)
FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY LOVE TO WIN IT.
(Shelly Caggiano 6:52pm November 30, 2012)
I like cowboy stories because even if it's set in present day, there is an old code of honor with cowboys of a gone by era.
(MaryAnne Banks 7:11pm November 30, 2012)
I think that cowboys are the best.
(Kellie Demarsh 7:16pm November 30, 2012)
I enjoy reading about cowboys.
(Kathy Fowler 7:26pm November 30, 2012)
I agree with Leigh!
(Theresa Norris 7:42pm November 30, 2012)
I have never met a real cowboy. The only way I could met them are through cowboy movies and books. They have that code of honor that really make them so attractive.
(Kai Wong 7:56pm November 30, 2012)
I enjoyed reading about cowboys, they are hard-working and when they day there gonna do it the job gets done,and they honor the cowboy code-I know a few cowboys and all is true about them..your book sounds good-my cowboy friend reads all your books, and I've gotten hooked, even though I like the series by Reid Rosenthal-Threads West American Saga and Maps of Fate..alot of history and romance/like to win your book!
(Carole Fiore 7:59pm November 30, 2012)
I agree with Lee that the truth of the cowboy life is not as
we like to read about in our romance novels about them - we'd
rather have the romantisized version.
(Diane Sallans 8:19pm November 30, 2012)
I saw True Grit as an Advanced Sneak Preview and was amazed at how good cowboys and the wild west looked. Cowboys are usually hard workers who have long days working up a sweat and trying to manage making a ranch or farm work out.
(Alyson Widen 8:37pm November 30, 2012)
I love cowboys, I grew up watching westerns. Kids nowadays don't know what they're missing.
(Rita Wray 8:37pm November 30, 2012)
I'd love to win this book, sounds great.
(Wilma Frana 8:52pm November 30, 2012)
Although there are too many Authors to mention, I think that Leigh has his History down pat, as far as the History of the Cowboy goes!! As long as there are horses and cattle roaming this earth, you will see a Cowboy in the vicinity. I am chomping at the bit to read this book!!! (no pun intended) Since you know your History the way you do, I know I'm in for one heck of a ride!! Somehow, it sounds like I'm coming up with all of these puns, but I really do want to read your book, and I even feel that I'd be able to pass it on to my Husband to read when I get done, since he loves Westerns!! Great cover, great reviews. What more could I ask for??
(Peggy Roberson 10:17pm November 30, 2012)
What woman would not be charmed by a handsome cow poke in tight jeans riding into town on a white charger? It wouuld be me....dream, dream, dream.
Sounds like a great and sexy read.
Pat Pascale
(Patricia (Pat) Pascale 10:43pm November 30, 2012)
I love horses, especially Appaloosas. But I have never met a cowboy. But I certainly admire them...and I always enjoy a romance novel that includes a cowboy.
(Shari Santella 11:19pm November 30, 2012)
I love to read stories about cowboys. Would love to win your book.
(Linda Hall 11:59pm November 30, 2012)
I really enjoyed your post on cowboy's! Thanks so much for a chance to win your book, which sounds great!
(Christine Mead 5:43am December 1, 2012)
THE SEARCHERS in my favorite John Wayne movie & LONESOME DOVE
is a favorite book of mine.
For me the cowboy is all heart, wrapped in a tough exterior.
(Mary Preston 7:05am December 1, 2012)
Great post on cowboys. I grew up in the 50's and 60's, so there were plenty of cowboys to watch on TV, and I couldn't get enough of them. I always wondered why none of the sons on Bonanza married, and now I know. Looking forward to reading your book.
(Cathy Phillips 2:09pm December 1, 2012)
any book on cowboys, is a good read!!!!
(Barbara Studer 10:09pm December 1, 2012)
I agree with Leigh I cant wait to read your book it sounds great
(Danielle McDonald 8:36am December 2, 2012)
Liked your review of this book. Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading. Thank you
(Diane Castiglione 12:32pm December 2, 2012)
From a child going to the movies every Sat, the cowboy movies and serials were the best to keep me coming back weekly and it's as bad now reading about them. It doesn't matter it the books are historical or not, a good cowboy book is always welcome
(Joyce Bruner 3:32pm December 3, 2012)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy