The Cowboy Girl by John Clayton

“Clayton not only offers a thorough assessment of the life of a fascinating and underrated woman novelist but also delves deeply into the appeal of the American West. . . . It is puzzling that Lockhart is not well known. . . . [S]he is the sort of American literary figure who would seem to invite any number of scholarly and popular studies. Luckily for her, Clayton knew a good story when he found it and has given Lockhart the absorbing biographical treatment her remarkable life deserves.”—Booklist

“In The Cowboy Girl, author and essayist John Clayton presents a warm portrait of a woman whose strong spirit and independent vision perfectly embodied the American West. As part of the University of Nebraska’s Women in the West series, Clayton’s biography provides a voice to the little-known legend.”—Bloomsbury Review

“This larger-than-life Western woman deserved a good biography, and John Clayton has written one.”—Bill Croke, The Washington Times

“This lively biography of Caroline Lockhart reveals an intrepid, trailblazing woman who, as one of the first female journalists, traveled solo everywhere pursuing stories. . . . [A]n absorbing story of a talented but difficult woman always torn by her conflicting ambitions of fame, power, domestic bliss and a country life.”—Joan Hinkemeyer, Rocky Mountain News

“Mr. Clayton’s grasp of his subject and her environment is masterful, and that is no mean feat. . . . [His] portrait of The Cowboy Girl is intimate, but doesn’t neglect Ms. Lockhart’s impact on the mythology of the American West.”—Jim Larson, The Billings Outpost

“The Wyoming legend, Caroline Lockhart, is immortalized in the new biography by Clayton.”—Holly Strother, The Casper Journal

“John Clayton’s thoroughly researched book . . . explores the life of one of the West’s greatest proponents, journalists, novelists and storytellers.”—Big Sky Journal

“John Clayton had his work cut out for him when he took on the challenge of writing a biography of a colorful and almost forgotten writer and cattle queen. The result is a thoroughly entertaining portrait.”—Lorna Thackeray, The Billings Gazette

“John Clayton presents a well balanced narrative biography of Lockhart, a woman obsessed with the West and whose passions often overshadowed her better judgment. It is a fascinating story and is a fitting addition to the University of Nebraska Press’ Women of the West series.”—Roundup Magazine

“[A]n intriguing biography . . . . [I]t is Clayton’s language skills and consolidation of his comments with Lockhart’s own words that make The Cowboy Girl a pleasure to read.”—Wyoming Library Roundup