About This Book

Bobbie Kalman, author of the acclaimed Historic Communities and Early Settler Life series, explores the action and adventure that made the West famous. In the latter part of the 19th century, more than half a million pioneers headed west to carve out a future on an unknown frontier. Some were drawn by the offer of cheap land and the promise of religious freedom while others had high hopes of finding gold. Thrilling, authentic photos and full-color illustrations recreate what life was really like for these cowboys, adventurers, and immigrants in this rough-and-ready era in our history.

Bobbie Kalman's colorful book explains how each piece of a cowboy's clothing was specially suited to his work. Authentic period photos feature the clothing of farmers, townspeople, and famous western characters revealing:
-- the durability of Levi Strauss' denim pants
-- why the cowboy's hat is described in gallons
-- how leather boots were both practical and a status symbol
-- what women and Native Americans wore
-- how clothes were mostly hand-made, then later bought in stores