Biting the Dust

by Dirk Johnson

Looks at one year on the rodeo circuit, telling the story of modern cowboys traveling the country chasing a dangerous eight-second dream of fame and fortune on the back of a wild horse or bull

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[Kate K. F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did because the author had fantastic access to cowboys at all levels on the rodeo circuit and clearly knew how to do great interviews. Sadly the style of writing at times got in the way as did the fact that the structure of the book felt more like a series of articles put together than a book. There was one through line story that was well done but the rest of the time, it felt more like randomly going and now to talk about the history of rodeo and cowboy culture in this part of the country. A style element that bothered me would be that when one of the cowboys would be riding a bronc or a bull, the author would go in between using the cowboys name or say 'the cowboy'. It pulled me right out of what was vivid writing and felt lazy.

I also wanted more of the overall history of rodeo which was mixed in but this book was more a portrait of the cowboys competing during one rodeo year. An interesting read which provided a sense of how diverse the reasons why men compete in rodeo can be, but there was little discussion of other elements of rodeo culture and most of the women were presented as wives or on the side. I left this book wanting to read more about rodeo and grateful for the chance to meet these athletes and see their world.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Engaging writing style. A REAL look at the cowboy, rodeo, and ranching life.

Will read this again.

7/22/21: AM reading again

9/20/21: after a few pages, decided not to read again.

[Suzie Quint · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding up-close and personal look at the hard life of rodeo cowboys.