This book is a mix of Texas-Oklahoma panhandle history and folklore, told around a horseback journey down the Canadian River by one of its residents.
Along the way, the author has made arrangements to talk to and visit many of the ranch owners who raise cattle along his route.

The author's style is very likeable and interesting, with occasional humor. The people he talks to on his trip are interesting, admirable and friendly. These people have many stories of the past and the author relates these. After a quarter of the book the reader realizes he is reading the J. Frank Dobie of the other part of Texas, the panhandle instead of south Texas. The folklore and history covered is of the same era and lifestyle but a bit north of Dobie's stories.

There is also some coverage of the individual personalities of the two horses, one friend, and a mule who all accompany him on the journey. The animals get equal coverage of their reactions to events along the trip.

The combination of the history, folklore, and the animals and ranchers personalities add up to an interesting and informative book. ( )