Deeply rooted in American culture, lore, and history, cowboys have shaped the imagination of generations of Americans--young and old. Presenting the development of cowboy and cattle culture from the days of Spanish colonial vaqueros to the days of the trail-drive cowboy, well-known writer and storyteller Angel Vigil shares the facts behind the myths of the American cowboy. Abundantly illustrated with photos and drawings, the book is organized into six broad thematic categories and uses a question-and-answer format to present the information. Packed with fascinating details and sources for further research, the book fills a gap in educational resources about cowboys as it is geared specifically toward upper elementary and middle school students.