The cowboy remains a mythic icon for millions of people worldwide. Their perceptions are based mainly on movies and TV shows. Jeans are bought by urban consumers who have never been near a cow or horse; yet identify the clothes they wear with freedom and the cowboy way of life. Despite this popularity, the life of the working cowboy remains woefully misunderstood. There is a mistaken belief that real cowboys no longer exist. The fact is that working cowboys - and cowgirls - are still found in the American West, caring for the land and animals and keeping rural communities connected and vibrant. And they use the word "cowboy" as a verb as well as a noun.

Daniel Miller worked as a cowboy for many years in the state of Montana in the American West. With informative text and numerous unembellished black and white photographs, The American Cowboy describes being on a roundup, working cattle in much the same way that it was done over 100 years ago. He portrays what it is like to be riding across the prairie before the sun comes up with other cowboys; what it means to spend time in a cow camp with only horses and cows for company. He also provides insight into the sense of community that comes from ranch families helping their neighbors. This book is a sensitive portrait of a way of life that is central to American culture, told by someone who has lived it.