A Cow for College: and Other Stories of 1950s Farm Life

by James Kenyon

James Kenyon, a born storyteller, writes an account of growing up in 1950s rural America that will make a reader laugh, smile, and occasionally shed a tear. As a young farm boy raised on the high plans of western Kansas, James shares memories of learning to care for cattle, ride (and fall from) the family horse, nurse a piglet back to health, and drive a tractor. Whether selling eggs from the back of his red wagon to the women in the nearest town of Bogue (population then approximately 300) or saving the family cow from death by bloat, readers will enjoy these glimpses of a farm boys life, a look back on simpler a time in America, post-depression, post-war. Winner of the 2018 Martin Kansas History Book Award by the Kansas Authors Club.

166 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2017

Reviews

[Elaine Bahr]

I picked this for a book club with older ladies. I'm excited to see if they have fond childhood memories sparked from reading this short story collection from the author's childhood in the 1950s. I wasn't born in the 1950s, nor have I lived in Kansas, but I did have many of the same experiences as a farm kid in the 1980s. This was a nostalgic blast from the past. I was the president of my 4-H club, helped with cattle and hog chores, played baseball with neighborhood kids, and can deeply relate to many of the stories. The author, a retired vet, will be coming to my book club to share additional stories and answer questions about the book.

[Joy Kidney]

What a delightful memoir of a eager and fascinated boy growing up on a farm. You'll learn everything from how a crank phone worked to raising chickens and having an egg route in town (as a 7-year-old). From the coach who brought baseball to their small town to how to milk a cow, with specifics. From a plethora of farm cats to the best and toughest dog around, of course named Toughy.

I especially enjoyed this farm boy's father, a perfect mentor to encourage a young man who eventually became a veterinarian.

[Cynthia]

A Cow for College is the winner of the 2018 Martin History Book Award. The award is given through Kansas Authors Club in memory of Gail Martin local writer from EL Dorado, Kansas