There is no more enduring icon of the American West than the cowboy. This boldly illustrated book takes an eclectic look at the reality and the romance of the cowboy—at the real-life ranch hand who drove cattle, rounded up strays and tamed horses and who inspired the rugged hero of movies, TV shows, theatrical performances and comic books. Throughout the book, archival images depict tired men huddled around an open fire, proud boys riding tall in the saddle and liquored grins in the dance hall light on a Saturday night. Contemporary full-colour photographs of the cowboy’s distinctive gear add rich detail and texture, while carefully selected images from pop culture—such as movie posters, postcards, film stills, comic books and advertisements—illustrate the making of the myth. Together, text and images capture the essence of what it means to be a cowboy.