I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. It lacks any kind of linear structure. Chapters bounce from one cowboy to the next reading a bit like "Day in the Life" material but not doing a deep dive. There's somewhat of a common theme of "next generation taking over for the previous" but it's largely left dangling without much closure. I felt like I was skating along the surface.

I thought this was a really interesting story and am now fully obsessed with the Compton Cowboys on social media. I think the cowboys got mixed up a little too easily and think the book could have been structured better to help, but I started taking notes and enjoyed learning about them and the ranch. I think Thompson Hernandez’s writing shined the absolute brightest in the introduction and afterword and will definitely be following along to his reporting work for some of the other projects he mentioned.

I requested this copy from Netgalley because I love westerns and think horses are fascinating animals.  After reading, I was so enthralled that I couldn't get enough of this story and its characters.  I asked a few people when you think of Compton what comes to mind?  You can imagine there were quite a few answers, but no one said Black Cowboys.

The author did an amazing job capturing the essence of the iconic Richland Farms, its heritage, and the lives of those it saved.  Through the accounts of each member, the reader has an opportunity to broaden their view of Compton and celebrate the legacy of some African American history.  

"Streets raised us, Horses saved us" has become The Cowboy's proverb. It highlights the challenges of trying to bridge heritage and current issues plaguing our communities; violence, unfair conditions, and treatment from the law.

An excellent read!

Historically, I am familiar with Black Cowboys, but this fascinating look at what is happening today and how one man should feel very proud of that accomplishment. I enjoyed the individual articles, each focusing on a different person or aspect.

A version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.

"Streets raised us. Horses saved us." Growing up in Southeast Los Angeles, Walter Thompson-Hernández wondered why there were no black cowboys. Then one day in Compton, he saw a show-stopping group of black horsemen riding down the street. "The cowboys had an allure to them that went beyond words. They seemed ethereal--like superheroes on the backs of mystic creatures who, I imagined, communicated in a language unknown to me."

Now a reporter for the New York Times, Thompson-Hernández reached out to the present-day Compton Cowboys. Many have ridden together since the 1990s and all started in the Compton Jr. Posse. Founded in the 1980s, the nonprofit was formed to provide at-risk youth an alternative to drugs and gangs, teaching them to care for themselves through caring for horses.

In The Compton Cowboys, Thompson-Hernández traces the roots of Compton, the organization and its members, providing heartrending insight into their varying paths to the Posse. They continue to challenge stereotypes and ride with "a free and rebellious spirit." While carrying the legacy of Compton's black cowboys, there is an effort to make the Cowboy culture accessible and cool--designer clothes, Air Jordans--and allow the armor that keeps them safe within their present realities. "Being black cowboys was as much about having a community where you could be your unapologetic self as it was about riding." Compelling and transforming, The Compton Cowboys is a story of history, race, tradition and pride, given life by Thompson-Hernández's insight and care.

STREET SENSE: History, culture, social commentary. This book has them all. But it's the stories of the riders, varied and evocative, that make this a fascinating read. The inherent conflict of merging tradition and current culture to save at-risk youth is all important in a city with one of the highest death-by-gun rates in the country.

COVER NERD SAYS: Just about anything with a horse on the cover at least grabs my initial attention. But cowboys in Compton? I was hooked. Smart placement and sizing of the title, which doesn't try to be smart or snazzy. Along with the powerful cover image, it quickly lets you know what you're going to find inside. Well done.

We need diverse books. We need more books like this. I grew up near Compton, in Long Beach and knew what a rough area that was; never knew about cowboys and farms, and black cowboys no less.

The writing was decent, except for the foul language by the people being profiled. It gives the book authenticity but sometimes was grating. This is a subject that definitely needs a spotlight, but the organization, frame of the book left me wanting. I did like the focus on specific people, we get to know the individuals, these unknown cowboys in an urban setting.

Highly recommend to read the author’s note at the end. It places the book more firmly, adds more to the overall story.

I received a copy of the book The Compton Cowboys: The Next Generation of Cowboys in America's Urban Heartland written by Walter Thompson-Hernandez from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

My initial reaction to this book was curiosity. When I saw the cover and read the synopsis I didn't know what to expect in the pages. Would this be a non- fiction happily ever after telling of the lives of young men who defied the statistics of the neighborhood they grew up in or a gritty tale of gang violence perpetrated on the backs of horses? Between these pages I instead found thought provoking life experiences of men and women who wanted what society and their community assumed they couldn't fathom. Young men who intend to carry on the legacy of redemption and loyalty that has kept them looking forward when circumstances and choices make it easier to give up. The complexities of the relationships with their communities and families are daunting at times, while at others they are fulfilling and inspiring. Their willingness to extend what they've been given to another generation isn't an easy choice. They are hard pressed to acquire the knowledge and wherewithal to expand the black cowboy presence not just in Compton but in other cities throughout the country.

The author had the advantage of understanding that their greatest struggle is being seen for what's in their hearts. He recognizes that they are fighting more than one battle on a daily basis. That these men have taken an overlooked subculture and built their hopes and dreams around making black cowboys as visible as their white or Hispanic counterparts, not just on the professional rodeo circuit but in communities across the country.

I did enjoy the book and am giving it four stars.

This is a book I would purchase for my college library for a number of reasons. I have not come across a lot of books that cover this particular sub-population, and it's one that I could see appealing to both students and faculty alike whether for sociological purposes or for examining outreach program ideas/examples (this is a topic that comes up quite often at the library.) Furthermore, the way in which the stories are delivered make it seem more conversational, almost like it's a round table discussion with members of the Compton Cowboys reminiscing about their experiences. That could make the book feel more authentic when it comes to the content situations being discussed, thus making it more engaging for students and others who read it. I will be recommending this to my students and colleagues for that reason.

Read if you: Want an account of a modern day cowboy organization.

Positives: The Compton Cowboys history and current activities deserves greater attention. This is an interesting look at a program that has changed lives.

Other thoughts: As Thompson-Hernandez captures the language used by participants, usage of profanity and the "n" word appears throughout. Not a criticism--but it may catch readers off guard.

Booksellers and librarians: Buy if books about cowboys or innovative youth programs are popular.

Many thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Outside of a Horse is Good for the Inside of a Person
This is the story of a youth riding club in Compton CA that encourages kids to bond with their horse and ranch instead of gangs. Besides giving kids a different outlook on life, it also gives them, as adults, a different life. This book is about a horse outreach from the 20th century becoming a new and different entity in 2016. It is a very slow book to read. While I believe that the author is correct in the biography of the Cowboys as well as their members, he is misleading and wrong about other things. He states assumptions like facts and there is no footnoting to reference. Please read Black Reins magazine for more information about modern Black Equestrians. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for making and advance copy of this title available for n honest review.

My feelings are a little conflicted about this book. At times, I almost put it down, and at others, I couldn't.

For me, the largest hurdle was the language. While the profanity was all in quotations and no doubt authentic for the locale and culture, it was hard on my unaccustomed ear. I also had a little difficulty keeping track of who was who. This got easier by the end of the book, but was initially a struggle. I was reading an ebook. I'm hoping that the physical version will contain a few photographs that might help future readers sort people out more quickly. I was also frustrated at reaching the end of the book and not knowing how things end. There's not much that could have been done about that given that no one, including the cowboys themselves, know how things will end.

On the plus side, this close look at a group struggling for survival and dignity in difficult circumstances is a tale that needs to be told and heard. Compton, California and horse ranches aren't too things that immediately come together in most people's minds. The town is noted for gang-related violence and all its related evils. Yet, in the midst of this virtual war zone is a farm, a farm that has existed for generations, a farm that fights to survive in the middle of the city. This farm gives hope, focus, peace, purpose, and a sense of identity to the those connected to it. I was caught up in the ongoing battles with negative stereotypes, turf wars, demons of addiction, and personal hauntings pitted against the bonds forged with often equally traumatized horses. I was caught up in the way the bonds with the horses led to human bonds and a desire to widen those connections to others in Compton and in other communities.

Overarching is the menace of financial instability as donors dry up and the farm struggles to survive. I hope it does. It has power to heal.