《儿童读物杂志》(Horn Book)书评
A well-researched study of the cattle kingdoms includes their development, the many wars fought for the territory that spawned them, and the principal players in the struggles for their domination. Through conscientious research, Marrin has tried to dispel the romantic myths of the westward movement without dismissing their impact. The oversized book is attractively produced and generously illustrated with reproductions of prints, paintings, and photographs. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
《书目》(Booklist)书评
Gr. 6-10. Beginning with the introduction of horses and cattle to North America, Marrin chronicles the changes brought to the Great Plains as ranchers encroached on the area, particularly during the 1800s. Debunking the romantic images, this discussion clarifies who cowboys were, what they did, and how they viewed their lives. While Marrin is graphic, perhaps too graphic, in describing scalping and other atrocities performed by Indians on pioneers, he balances the political scale by bluntly relating such brutal happenings as the massacres of Indians by cavalry troops, and the swift, senseless slaughter of the buffalo herds. Black-and-white reproductions of paintings, engravings, sketches, and photographs appear throughout the book, while full-color plates appear at intervals. A double-page-spread map of the Plains States will help readers get their bearings. Marrin's inclusion of concrete details and his engaging writing style make this an exceedingly readable account of a unique and turbulent period in American history. ~--Carolyn Phelan