Buy used:
$8.02
FREE delivery May 13 - 14. Details
Or fastest delivery May 7 - 10. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by ThriftBooks-Seattle
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Dee Marvine
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Lady Rode Bucking Horses: The Story Of Fanny Sperry Steele Woman Of The West Paperback – January 1, 2005

by Dee Marvine (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 30 ratings
See all formats and editions
This is the story of legendary rancher and women bronc rider Fannie Sperry Steele.
Fannie was born on a Montana homestead in 1887. At the age of two, Fannie declared "I gonna catch me a white-face horsie." Even as a child, Fannie knew what she wanted.

Fannie was a remarkable woman who became a world champion. She raced thoroughbreds with a women's relay team known as the Montana Girls, twice won the title of Lady Bucking Horse Champion of the World, rode with Buffalo Bill Cody and other top western performers, became the first woman in the state of Montana to be granted an outfitters license, and was named a charter member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

The Lady Rode Bucking Horses depicts an era of the American West when capturing renegade horses from the hills above the homestead served as training ground for extraordinary horsemanship. It documents the life of the outstanding girl who outrode them all at stampedes and roundups and the woman she became, her spirit undaunted throughout a life marked with courage and adventure, triumph and heartache.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Twodot
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0762731338
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0762731336
  8. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  1. Cowgirl Up!: A History of Rodeo Women
Next page

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Long before rodeo, when bucking-horse contests were held at stampedes and roundups, Fannie Sperry Steele stepped into the bronco-riding arena-and won. The Lady Rode Bucking Horses tells the remarkable story of the girl who became Lady Bucking Horse Champion of the World-twice-and went on to become a western performer and legendary rancher.
Born on a Montana homestead in 1887, Fannie knew what she wanted from the age of two, when she declared, "I gonna catch me a white-face horsie." During her long and colorful life, Fannie competed on bucking broncos; raced Thoroughbreds with the Montana Girls relay team; organized a Wild West Show with cowboy husband Bill Steele; performed with the likes of Buffalo Bill Cody; became the first Montana woman to be licensed as a wilderness outfitter; and was named a charter member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame and, later, the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
The Lady Rode Bucking Horses is a creative retelling of Fannie's life based on family archives, newspaper articles, and personal interviews. This dramatic narrative presents a fascinating look at the pre-rodeo era and the extraordinary woman who became a world champion.

About the Author

Dee Marvine spent fifteen years in Chicago as a corporate and magazine writer/editor before she moved to Montana to devote her time to writing. Her first book Last Chance (hardcover from Doubleday; paperback, Leisure Books) was nominated by Western Writers of America for their 1994 Best First Novel award. Her second novel, Sweet Grass (Five Star), takes place in 1886 Sweet Grass County and Butte, Montana. She has also written short stories, articles, and poetry. She also works as a freelance editor and conducts editing workshops for writers. A member of Western Writers of America and a founding member of Women Writing the West, she lives in Big Timber, Montana, with her artist husband, Don Marvine.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Twodot; Stated First Edition (January 1, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762731338
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762731336
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Dee Marvine

Dee Marvine

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
30 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jinglebob48
5.0 out of 5 stars A great history book.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Women of the rodeo have long ago made history and should be recognized as the pioneers of women's rodeo and given the credit they well deserve.
Helpful
 Report
Elise
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, especially for teenage girls
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2007
Verified Purchase
This is an amazing book, the true story of Fannie Sperry Steele, a legendary rodeo rider who was raised on a homestead in north-central Montana during the late 1880s. The book chronicles her career in numerous Wild West shows, her remarkable personal life, and what it was like to live in the West at that time.

Fannie's family had very little money and earned extra cash by selling wild horses, which they captured and trained. By the time she was fourteen, Fannie was riding bucking horses to entertain spectators at local gatherings. Soon she was hired to perform in various traveling Wild West shows, where she participated in bronc riding, relay races, and sharpshooting exhibitions. In 1912 she earned the title "Lady Bucking Horse Champion of the World."

She was such a good rider that men were afraid to compete against her. Apparently male chauvinism was one of the main obstacles faced by dozens of women who competed in these shows, which were the precursors of today's modern rodeos.

For many years Fannie continued to ride broncs, despite pressure to get married and start raising a family. Eventually she did marry a cowboy who operated a Wild West show (unfortunately, the marriage was somewhat tempestuous), and finally they started a dude ranch in western Montana. She lived there until shortly before her death in 1983.

The book is written in such a smooth, interesting way, it's almost like reading a novel. The writer interviewed Fannie repeatedly and had access to her collection of letters, newspaper clippings, etc., which enabled the author to add a multitude of personal details that bring the story alive. The book includes about a dozen photographs: the primitive homestead where Fannie spent her childhood; Fannie on a bronc at the Calgary Stampede, her long dress flapping and her long braids flying out behind; and Fannie in her seventies, confidently riding one of her prized Paint horses.

Surely almost anyone (especially teenage girls) would be fascinated by this tale of a young woman who knew what she wanted to do with her life, and made it happen, in spite of all the people who kept telling her that it was not possible and not wise. This is one of the most inspiring stories I've read in a long time.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Stanley Kasperski
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful western experience
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book was a real treasure. It documented the life of a real western heroine. Fannie Sperry Steele was a real person of extremely modest means who lived the authentic western lifestyle without regard to her gender, gaining the title of Woman Bucking Horse Champion of the world...twice. I was fascinated by her exploits of participating in various western shows including one with Buffalo Bill. Her exploits with horsemanship were spectacular but she also was a a very capable demonstrator of fine firearms marksmanship,comparable to Annie Oakley, especially on horseback. Anyone reading this book will appreciate the life of a family living on the western Montana wilderness in the early 20th century. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful
 Report
Oregon Cowgirl
2.0 out of 5 stars Like a Hollywood movie
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have to admit, I only made it through the first three chapters, so if you don't like this review, you can blame it on that. The book is now in the box for charity.
What bothered me, is some of the horse handling seemed terribly unrealistic. I can't imagine holding a wild stallion off the range with an old broke saddle horse gelding ridden by a young girl. This supposedly happens in the first chapter.
Also, at the bucking contest, the mother is able to rope and contain the stallion after he is loose and bucking. Not real. (Did you see Rich Strike attack the pony horse when he was all keyed up?-he is a broke horse!)
Obviously some memory issues here, and not written by anyone with any horse breaking experience. Just like a Hollywood movie. Fiction.
I am a great admirer of the ladies that used to ride bucking horses and were as good as the men (mostly better-that is why they were banned from competition with the men). There are some great true stories out there about them, but this is not one of them.
Bonnie McCarroll was killed at the Pendleton Round-Up in 1929. She was one of the best, man or woman. Her story is amazing, and most likely the reason woman were banned from competition, and relegated to barrel racing. I'm sure there were many stories that were never told, and now it is too late.
It was too late for this one.
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Increadable true story. Very interesting and informative. I think all young women with a big dream in their hearts, should read this book.
Helpful
 Report
L. Conroy
4.0 out of 5 stars Fannie Sperry Steele's Story is Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
This amazing woman who was also a bronc rider is a fascinating read. The grit required to survive in that era in that area of the country is inspirational.
Helpful
 Report
Joy
5.0 out of 5 stars There could not have been a better title for the book "The Lady Rode Bucking Horses"
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is an great book for anyone who appreciates what it takes to ride rough horses. Fannie Sperry Steele was one amazing lady to be able to do what she loved doing all her life. I really felt the author did a good job in telling the story and made you feel like you knew Fannie the way her friends knew and respected her. I would have loved seeing her preform when she was in her heyday.
Helpful
 Report
Susan Cross
5.0 out of 5 stars True cowgirl book
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
It is hard to believe that women of the old west were as strong as they were. This book states just how difficult it was for a woman to be in an male dominated world and sport. She acted like a lady, but rode just as well if not better than a man.
Helpful
 Report