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Grass Beyond the Mountains #1
Grass Beyond the Mountains
The first in a trilogy, "Grass Beyond the Mountains" is a story of discovery and endurance on North America's western frontier by three good old-fashioned cowboys.
With laconic cowboy humor and the ease of a born writer, Richmond Hobson describes the life-and-death escapades, the funny and tragic incidents peopled with extraordinary frontier characters, in a true adventure that surpasses the most thrilling Wild West fiction.
In the fall of 1934, three cowhands with a dream of owning a cattle ranch made their way from peaceful Wyoming to the harsh, uncharted territory of the British Columbian interior. In conditions as challenging as any encountered by the western frontier pioneers of a hundred years earlier, the three men and their equipment-laden horses conquered the tortuous miles over narrow passes and mountain summits, hewed their first cabin from virgin timber, and attempted to carve out a space for themselves on the unforgiving landscape.
Gritty, fun, and endlessly entertaining, Hobson's story is sure to entertain country- and city-dwellers alike.
With laconic cowboy humor and the ease of a born writer, Richmond Hobson describes the life-and-death escapades, the funny and tragic incidents peopled with extraordinary frontier characters, in a true adventure that surpasses the most thrilling Wild West fiction.
In the fall of 1934, three cowhands with a dream of owning a cattle ranch made their way from peaceful Wyoming to the harsh, uncharted territory of the British Columbian interior. In conditions as challenging as any encountered by the western frontier pioneers of a hundred years earlier, the three men and their equipment-laden horses conquered the tortuous miles over narrow passes and mountain summits, hewed their first cabin from virgin timber, and attempted to carve out a space for themselves on the unforgiving landscape.
Gritty, fun, and endlessly entertaining, Hobson's story is sure to entertain country- and city-dwellers alike.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 26, 2023
Great book about living out a rugged and beautiful modern day Wild West reality in British Columbia.
Book 1 in a trilogy.
1) Grass Beyond the Mountains
2) Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy
3) The Rancher Takes a Wife
🐴 🐴 🐴
Book 1 in a trilogy.
1) Grass Beyond the Mountains
2) Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy
3) The Rancher Takes a Wife
🐴 🐴 🐴
February 27, 2008
I read this when I was in elementary school. The author is actually a native of my hometown (yes, remote, tiny little Vanderhoof). Of course, I was fascinated. And I read the word obsolete for the first time. Gosh, I've got great memories associated with this book. His Rim Rock ranch is actually 'just down the road' from ours. Ok, by down the road I mean at least 20 miles, but it's pretty well just down the road to us. All of this combined to make it a delicious read for a fifth grader. I'm looking forward to sharing them with my own kids - a little taste of my hometown heritage.
May 29, 2025
Maybe 5 stars. I don't know how to rate things anymore.
When I decided to read this book, it was because I wanted a more realistic account of the cowboy life. You see, after reading Shane and thinking about all the western series and movies I grew up with (many of which featured a lone, perhaps tragic cowboy hero) I was left craving something a little more aligned with history. I wanted a cowboy whose ultimate design was neither primarily literary nor simply a vehicle for some shoot-em-up action scenes with a side of 20th century social issues.
Now don't misunderstand me. I'm still a sucker for a good cowboy story of most any variety, and it must be acknowledged that even the most anachronistic of western series had some darn good episodes with a surprising amount of depth (and I still love you Heath Barkley). Still, it's usually best practice to balance out one's bookly diet, even within genres. These legend-like stories that employ (or even birthed) beloved cliches need to be tempered with a bit of reality.
This collection of stories recounts the hardships of cowboy life in the 1930s with a healthy helping of wit and humor. Obviously, this book takes place much later than classic western tales do, as its subtitle implies. It's also a memoir, which leaves some room for speculation of embellishment. All in all, however, I think Hobson recorded his early life wonderfully. There's no shying away from the incredible (and I mean incredible) circumstances they overcame to settle in the literal middle of nowhere, and yet also no exclusion of the immense help they received from others on the way (Andy's poor, poor wife. But also, what a guy). I particularly enjoyed the shenanigans and humorous gleam Hobson's narration cast on most stories. "Top Hand" Pan was hilarious ("nothin' to it at all, boys! nothin' to it at all"), and the banter between all the cowboys was very reminiscent of the silly scenes included in the above-mentioned western series (I'm looking at you, Little Joe). Maybe some things weren't as far stretched from reality as I previously thought.
When I decided to read this book, it was because I wanted a more realistic account of the cowboy life. You see, after reading Shane and thinking about all the western series and movies I grew up with (many of which featured a lone, perhaps tragic cowboy hero) I was left craving something a little more aligned with history. I wanted a cowboy whose ultimate design was neither primarily literary nor simply a vehicle for some shoot-em-up action scenes with a side of 20th century social issues.
Now don't misunderstand me. I'm still a sucker for a good cowboy story of most any variety, and it must be acknowledged that even the most anachronistic of western series had some darn good episodes with a surprising amount of depth (and I still love you Heath Barkley). Still, it's usually best practice to balance out one's bookly diet, even within genres. These legend-like stories that employ (or even birthed) beloved cliches need to be tempered with a bit of reality.
This collection of stories recounts the hardships of cowboy life in the 1930s with a healthy helping of wit and humor. Obviously, this book takes place much later than classic western tales do, as its subtitle implies. It's also a memoir, which leaves some room for speculation of embellishment. All in all, however, I think Hobson recorded his early life wonderfully. There's no shying away from the incredible (and I mean incredible) circumstances they overcame to settle in the literal middle of nowhere, and yet also no exclusion of the immense help they received from others on the way (Andy's poor, poor wife. But also, what a guy). I particularly enjoyed the shenanigans and humorous gleam Hobson's narration cast on most stories. "Top Hand" Pan was hilarious ("nothin' to it at all, boys! nothin' to it at all"), and the banter between all the cowboys was very reminiscent of the silly scenes included in the above-mentioned western series (I'm looking at you, Little Joe). Maybe some things weren't as far stretched from reality as I previously thought.
October 31, 2018
I have just finished rereading this book and found it even more riveting than the first time. This is a a cowboy memoir, if there is such a genre, written by a young guy from Wyoming named Richmond "Rich" Hobson who heads up to northern British Columbia with his buddy, Panhandle "Pan" Phillips in 1934. The two young cowhands were in search of new, unexplored cattle country, and they found it, four million acres. They had some absolutely hair-raising adventures, which the author wrote about in such a colourful way it is hard to believe he wasn't a professional writer. It was gripping right until the last page. A Western classic if ever there was one, which deserves more recognition.
April 19, 2019
A wonderful read... it has been a forgotten classic: Copyrighted in 1951 with the latest reprint in ’98. This non-fiction story is as good as any novel about a couple of cowboys from Wyoming who head north in 1934 to the northern reaches of British Columbia with a dream of finding virgin grasslands for raising horses and cattle. The author tells the tale of a great adventure in wonderful prose full of both humor and dramatic close-calls. Many of the episodes he tells are still considered epic both among Canadians and readers of the American West.
The book later became the base for cinematic adventure production.
I encourage readers of all ages, whether young or old, a guy or a gal to find a copy of ”Grass Beyond the Mountains” in your favorite bookstore or library and when you're finished, share with a friend. It is definitely a 5-star book that you will find hard to put down!
The book later became the base for cinematic adventure production.
I encourage readers of all ages, whether young or old, a guy or a gal to find a copy of ”Grass Beyond the Mountains” in your favorite bookstore or library and when you're finished, share with a friend. It is definitely a 5-star book that you will find hard to put down!
March 14, 2021
The adventures kept getting better and more daring, it was amazing to believe that this was actually someone’s life story.
March 26, 2022
Richly entertaining autobiography of two pioneering cowboys, who in the wake of the Great Depression travel to an uncharted part of northern British Columbia in search of cattle country. Even British Columbians today know little about the rugged interior of their province - and where these cowboys go - through tortuous mountain passes, crossing treacherous rivers, subsisting on little, battling subzero temperatures, clouds of mosquitos, predatory wolves - is a truly gritty adventure. Hobson is a clear and colorful writer, giving life to the anecdotes and travelogues, and I look forward to the next of his three books. Highly recommended for anyone interested in real cowboys, B.C. history, or the manliness of generations past.
September 1, 2012
This book should be included among wilderness classics like "Three Against the Wilderness" and "Crusoe of Lonesome Lake". Definitely *way out there* when it comes to remote locations. Rich and his buddy Pan are and have that distinctly brash American attitude, however - not that it's a bad thing, it's just not Canadian. I was amazed by how many Americans were in the Chilcotin area at this time - they certainly prove to have an eye for enterprise. The description of the landscape and the struggle to travel and begin a ranch of 4 million acres (a number I can't quite believe) is extraordinary and memorable. I didn't realize at the time I was reading this that a movie/tv series was made out of Hobson's books - and am glad of it. I don't think the sense of wildness and exposure can possibly be recreated onscreen as it is in writing. Not only is Hobson an intrepid frontiersman, he is an excellent writer, a rare combination. Horse lovers will enjoy this book too, as the pack horses are integral to the story and each have their quirks (Nimpo and Piledriver are my favorites - apparently Nimpo became quite famous - "the horse that wouldn't die" and all that.
March 3, 2016
An all-time childhood favourite
November 7, 2018
Two Wyoming cowboys decide in 1934 to explore west-central British Columbia in search of a rumoured remote grassland on which they can establish their own huge cattle ranch. Rich Hobson (the author, who admits at the start to attending Stanford and taking on a variety of knockabout jobs before landing in Wyoming in his mid-20s, but does not mention being the son of a naval hero who also became a Congressman from Alabama), was a natural story teller. He had plenty of incredible material to work with. The hardships he and partner Pan Phillips endured and the risks they took (occasionally in the company of friends and employees) leave you shaking your head in wonder. It is clear they were lucky, as well being tough and mostly smart, to survive. But every danger and feat of endurance became a subject for stoic humour. Any readers with an ounce of adventure in them will be enthralled.
Apparently first published in 1951. I read the 2015 Seal Books paperback, not listed in Goodreads. Looked it up after seeing another Goodreads review and wondered how the book could possibly not be better known than it is. I had somewhere heard the title of a sequel called Nothing Too Good For a Cowboy, which became a TV series and TV movie in 1998-99; did not see any of the TV version, but doubt it matches Hobson's storytelling.
Apparently first published in 1951. I read the 2015 Seal Books paperback, not listed in Goodreads. Looked it up after seeing another Goodreads review and wondered how the book could possibly not be better known than it is. I had somewhere heard the title of a sequel called Nothing Too Good For a Cowboy, which became a TV series and TV movie in 1998-99; did not see any of the TV version, but doubt it matches Hobson's storytelling.
March 25, 2022
Rich Hobson is a born storyteller, who vividly brings to life the past. Every chapter is ripe with adventure and amazing events that I’m sure most people would suspect he’s embellished. Having worked and lived in Canada’s northern mountains moving from camp to camp by horseback and using packhorses, his stories were only too believable for me. I greatly identified with many moments of “wrangler angst” when the horses run off in the night and travel miles upon many miles while still hobbled back to their home range, or you end up in an area with insufficient feed, or blocked off from continuing by deadfall’s, muskeg or impassible cliffs. Hearing horse bells all the time in your head…. His moose stories brought out a couple guffaws. Moose scare the sh—t outa of me! His recounting of the hay cutting accident to Vinny was deeply upsetting but also inspiring how everyone pulled together to help this him survive such a horrific accident. Truly an impressive feat. The young nurse who came to help do delicate surgery in the field until the doctor could be brought in is one of the amazing examples of the strong, brave, and formidable women that helped build this country. A true hero I wish more girls these days had access to for a role model. So many awesome characters in this book, both human and equine.
January 12, 2019
GREAT book...a good story very well told by one who was there. Very seldom did it bog down in too much detail. If you like reading about the mountains, the west or Cowboys this one's for you. The story includes real-life encounters with moose, black wolves, grizzly bears, wild Injuns, but the biggest impression it had on me was the fortitude to even want to be the first to herd cattle on that land. I guess the Great Depression took away a lot of other options, too.
"A strange hollow loneliness seemed to reach up out of the vastness of the jackpines, and caught me for the first time in its grip. An eerie, empty, lifeless land of monotonous sameness; uninspiring, unspectacular, colorless, exuding a sinister feeling of complete isolation from the living. A land that breathes no spirit of a past life, and gives little hope of a future one." -= this is not the tone of much of the book, but I found it described a feeling that I'd had out alone in the mountains before
"I am convinced that any man can equal or beat world track records, either in the short dashes or the longer distances, if he first gets a real good look into the eyes of a cow moose in June."
"A strange hollow loneliness seemed to reach up out of the vastness of the jackpines, and caught me for the first time in its grip. An eerie, empty, lifeless land of monotonous sameness; uninspiring, unspectacular, colorless, exuding a sinister feeling of complete isolation from the living. A land that breathes no spirit of a past life, and gives little hope of a future one." -= this is not the tone of much of the book, but I found it described a feeling that I'd had out alone in the mountains before
"I am convinced that any man can equal or beat world track records, either in the short dashes or the longer distances, if he first gets a real good look into the eyes of a cow moose in June."
September 2, 2025
This is a semi-modern cowboy story that took place in 1934-1935 but could have been in the mid-19th century. It is very much in the style of Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove" with similar folksy and humorous descriptions of the trials and tribulations of cattle drives and ranches, but it is a true story.... mostly. The author, who was university educated goes rustic during the depression by joining forces with a "Top Hand" to explore a part of northern British Columbia looking for grazing lands north of the mountains. The physical difficulties encountered are sometimes hard to believe. However, a little exaggeration is OK and who am I to say that there is "nothing to it" to ride for days in -30 F temperatures, with little sleep or food, unruly pack-train horses while driving cattle over a 100 miles without a real trail. It is not great literature but thoroughly enjoyable. Maybe it should a 5-star but I reserve those for books I find way more than enjoyable.
October 21, 2024
I discovered this book (and it's sequels) on a list of the Greatest Western Books someone had put up. The book is not fiction but the memoires of one of the founders of the largest ranch in the world. The location is around what is now Vanderhoof, BC, at that time in the wilderness country.
The story is set in the early 1930s. It involved courageous outdoors work and life. It required a knowledge of horses and cattle and a determination to succeed.
This part of the story covers the arrival of the two main partners and their discovery of the range that would become their home. It is told with humour and realism as various strenuous experiences are related.
I highly recommend the book. Well worth reading as an inspirational story of the pioneer spirit. Well written and great stories.
The story is set in the early 1930s. It involved courageous outdoors work and life. It required a knowledge of horses and cattle and a determination to succeed.
This part of the story covers the arrival of the two main partners and their discovery of the range that would become their home. It is told with humour and realism as various strenuous experiences are related.
I highly recommend the book. Well worth reading as an inspirational story of the pioneer spirit. Well written and great stories.
September 6, 2019
This was a different sort of book for me to read. It was definitely adventure filled, and well written I thought, but cowboy trail breaking narratives got a bit monotonous for me after a while. I do think the CBC tv adaptation of this book and it’s sequel would be entertaining to watch. It definitely was a tougher breed of man that broke into the undiscovered vastness of the BC wilderness and turned it into lucrative cattle producing country. Anyhow, not my style, and although I have the sequel to this in my possession, I’ll pass on reading it. My son in law,however, with some cowboy blood in his veins, loved it, and its sequel.
August 6, 2018
I stumbled upon this book when I was Googling for books to read about the rancher/frontier lifestyle and it was such a treat.
I loved that this book is an autobiography, that it's a true account of things that happened in Hobson's life as opposed to it being fictional. It sends chills down my spine as I read of his adventures in the unforgiving wilderness and gives me a huge sense of awe and appreciation of the tough journeys people had to go through when discovering a new piece of land or trying to open a new frontier.
This is definitely a book I'd recommend.
I loved that this book is an autobiography, that it's a true account of things that happened in Hobson's life as opposed to it being fictional. It sends chills down my spine as I read of his adventures in the unforgiving wilderness and gives me a huge sense of awe and appreciation of the tough journeys people had to go through when discovering a new piece of land or trying to open a new frontier.
This is definitely a book I'd recommend.
July 23, 2020
Richard P Hobson the son of a Spanish American War Admiral goes from Washington, to Stanford then New York, only to become a partner in the largest cattle ranch in North America. A character that downplays his ability but fools no one. He is skilled savvy and educated. And he and his partner Pan Phillips are larger than life characters that should have been put on the silver screen.
This book is well written and filled with wonderful and real characters. A great escape to simple, yet challenging times.
It simply leaves you wanting to know more about these incredible cowboys.
This book is well written and filled with wonderful and real characters. A great escape to simple, yet challenging times.
It simply leaves you wanting to know more about these incredible cowboys.
August 8, 2018
A fabulous read!
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and was only disappointed that it had to have an end. Richmond doesn't get bogged down with too much description but provides enough for the reader to imagine the scenes being written about. Grass Beyond the Mountains has drama, action and comedy and is one of the best books I have read in some time. A great recommendation from the National Post!
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and was only disappointed that it had to have an end. Richmond doesn't get bogged down with too much description but provides enough for the reader to imagine the scenes being written about. Grass Beyond the Mountains has drama, action and comedy and is one of the best books I have read in some time. A great recommendation from the National Post!
March 10, 2024
This is a cowboy western book. : ) Not usually what I would read, but it's a memoir and the setting is Williams Lake, British Columbia where my mother was born, and all the places she talked about. The three cowhands stop there to buy all the necessary goods they needed to go farther upcountry. I loved all the descriptions of how things were done, how much money things did cost, and especially stories about the Native Americans.
October 25, 2024
Friend of the family lent me this book to read in 1963. First book of a trilogy, along with
Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy, and Rancher Takes A Wife. All 3 are excellent reading, true stories about two men who decide to move to British Columbia and raise horses back in 1934.
Any one who likes horses and the outdoors and adventure and plain old survival hundreds of miles from nowhere will enjoy reading this trilogy. I've read these books five times, and I intend to read them again.
Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy, and Rancher Takes A Wife. All 3 are excellent reading, true stories about two men who decide to move to British Columbia and raise horses back in 1934.
Any one who likes horses and the outdoors and adventure and plain old survival hundreds of miles from nowhere will enjoy reading this trilogy. I've read these books five times, and I intend to read them again.
April 13, 2022
They don't make men or horses like that anymore!
I marveled at the courage and detail the author used in describing the unexplored country.
I read the third book written by his wife(RANCHER TAKES A WIFE) when I was in high school and never forgot it .I'm now 70 years old,and this book open my eyes to the unbelievable accomplishment s of strong willed and determined men.
I marveled at the courage and detail the author used in describing the unexplored country.
I read the third book written by his wife(RANCHER TAKES A WIFE) when I was in high school and never forgot it .I'm now 70 years old,and this book open my eyes to the unbelievable accomplishment s of strong willed and determined men.
February 7, 2020
Fascinating book about exploration, discovery, and enduring hardships in the mid 1930's as two cowboys venture from Wyoming to undiscovered parts of British Columbia. The descriptions of viewing the land for the first time are amazing.
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July 7, 2020True Grit
Anyone interested in the pioneering spirit would gain from this. To even attempt the adventure and not quit from the adversity is spellbinding. I couldn't put it down. This summer, I will fly my plane to Bella Coola in good weather just to see the rugged terrain.
Anyone interested in the pioneering spirit would gain from this. To even attempt the adventure and not quit from the adversity is spellbinding. I couldn't put it down. This summer, I will fly my plane to Bella Coola in good weather just to see the rugged terrain.
May 25, 2022
(c)1951 An awesome book on how three Wyoming cowboys came out into the Cariboo region to start up a cattle ranch. Settling into a region that had to be built from the ground up on seems so unbelievable. It was an interesting read so full of adventure, and hard work.
May 1, 2019
Excellent storytelling and well written!
December 7, 2019
Captivating, delightfully entertaining, a great all around read!
February 2, 2020
Read this for my book club and unexpectedly got right into it and could not put it down.
September 13, 2021
Priceless firsthand accounts of frontier life and stories that will entertain anyone.
September 15, 2021
Great book, love history of British Columbia frontier and how hard the ranchers had to work
May 6, 2022
An enjoyable historical read. It offers a snapshot into British Columbia's cattle history with humor and tales of adventure. No better way to enjoy history than through the eyes of cowboy settlers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews