The Last Cowboys - A Pioneer Family in the New West by John Branch

 Donna Winget in St. George recommended this book to me over lunch one day. She raved about what it reveals about rodeo life and life in the more rural parts of southern Utah. She was right; not only is it good reading about fascinating characters, it's also about a way of life that is foreign to me and unique. And I probably understand more about horses and cowboys and ranch life than the average person, but still, I learned a lot. I really enjoyed the intimate look into this family's life. 

I took the book along with me to Napa this week because I figured my dad would enjoy hearing excerpts of it. Unfortunately, he was too close to death to be able to want to have anything read to him. He would have loved it, though! And I smiled every time I spied his lariat in his closet...

There were some very poignant lines and a lot of wisdom along the way. These cowboys were very stoic about their injuries and humble about their winning. I kept wondering about who was paying for the doctor bills and surgeries. I also wondered about the physical pain that had to be overcome to continue, and the price each would pay as their bodies aged.

I recommended this book to Glen Whipple, and he agreed it was good and well-written. One thing I'd like to talk to him about is how a writer like this one was able to become intimate with the family and capture all of the moments and insights he did. It makes me wonder, how did he become invisible? Or, more realistically, what impact did his presence have on the family? And how long did it take for him to get close and for them to get comfortable sharing. The family members' humility is such an endearing quality. They also seem unassuming and kind of private, so it's even more astounding that they would allow this level of exposure. 

Another theme was the encroaching public from Zion National Park on their cattle operations. Branch did a good job of depicting the opposing forces at work as this lifestyle struggles to remain viable. I really liked the seeming win-win solution described at the end of the book where the generational land is being converted into a place for limited numbers of tourists to experience ranch life. I would like to go see how that's going now. 

October 2025

I took this book along to Granger, Indiana, when a drunk driver hit Sierra and I needed a book to read on the plane and after I got there. I knew I liked this book, and it had gotten me through Daddy's passing, and I was ready for something completely different from what I was reading. It did not disappoint! Still an amazing family and I'm still amazed by their willingness to lead such a painful and exhausting lifestyle.

In talking with Carol Ann Gardner on our temple shift one day, I learned that she is a big fan of Ststson Wright, and so I have lent the book to her. I'n excited to hear how much she enjoys it! She watches the Cowboy Channel (which I didn't know existed), so she can fill me in on how the Wright boys are doing nowadays in their rodeo careers.