In the 19th century, Daniel Waggoner and his son, W.T. (Tom), put together an empire in North Texas that became the largest ranch under one fence in the nation. The 520,000-plus acres or 800 square miles covers six counties and sits on a large oil field in the Red River Valley of North Texas. Over the years, the estate also owned five banks, three cottonseed oil mills, and a coal company. Headquarters are in an office building in Vernon. Estimated value last quoted was $300 million. The history is colorful. Although Dan seems to have led a fairly low-profile life, W. T. moved to Fort Worth, became a bank director, built two office buildings, ran his cattle on the Big Pasture in Indian Territory (Oklahoma), hosted Teddy Roosevelt at a wolf hunt in the Big Pasture, and sent Quanah Parker to Washington, D.C., for Roosevelt’s inauguration. W. T. had three children including his daughter, Electra, the light of his life. W. T. built a mansion in Fort Worth for her—today the house, the last surviving cattle baron mansion on Fort Worth’s Silk Stocking Row, is open to the public for tours and events. Electra, an international celebrity and extravagant shopper (she once spent $10,000 in one day at Neiman Marcus), died at the age of forty-three. W.T.’s brother Guy had nine wives; his brother E. Paul, partier and horse breeder, was married to the same woman for fifty years and had one daughter, Electra II. Electra II was a both a celebrity and a talented sculptor, best known for a heroic-size state of Will Rogers on his horse, Soapsuds, as well as busts of two presidents and various movie stars. She is said to once have been involved with Cary Grant. After marriage to an executive she settled in a mansion at the ranch and raised two daughters. This book tells the story of the Wagonner women and their need to do something with the restless energy they possessed. The women did not have—or did not choose—ranching as an outlet for their strong personalities. The story is also about the juxtaposition of a love of the land versus the self-indulgent love of money—a common theme among ranch families that led to the dissolution of many.

Mattie is the tale of Georgia Arbuckle-Fix, a pioneering doctor on the Western frontier in Nebraska at the end of the 19th and into the early 20th centuries. Judy Alter's storytelling and impeccable historical research bring the era of the old west to life while highlighting the life of Georgia Arbuckle-Fix.

Libbie is the life story of Elizabeth Bacon Custer, wife of George Armstrong Custer. Libbie traveled the west with her famous husband, writing many books about their adventures. Her great achievement came in the years after Little Big Horn, when she burnished the reputation of her husband and his men through extensive public relations efforts. Judy Alter's storytelling and impeccable historical research bring the era of the old west to life while highlighting the life of Elizabeth Bacon Custer.

Sundance, Butch & Me tells the story of Etta Place-an outlaw woman whose original identity may never be known. She accompanied the leaders of the Wild Bunch as they ran rampant over the American West, traveled to New York City, and finally fled to South America. Judy Alter's storytelling and impeccable historical research bring the era of the old west to life while highlighting the life of Etta Place.

Cherokee Rose tells the story of Rodeo cowgirl Tommy Joe Burns, an Oklahoma girl who earned the praise of Theodore Roosevelt for her daring and bravery as a rough-stock rider in the early years of the 20th century. Judy Alter's storytelling and impeccable historical research bring the era of the old west to life while highlighting the life of Tommy Joe Burns.

Jessie is the story of Jessie Benton Fremont, wife of explorer and politician John C. Fremont-who was instrumental in opening the west. Jessie helped demonstrate that by joining her husband in California to build a home at the time of the Bear Flag rebellion. Judy Alter's storytelling and impeccable historical research bring the era of the old west to life while highlighting the life of Jessie Benton Fremont.

An exercise book with a difference, STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN features 100 exercises, fully illustrated, which apply the invaluable system introduced in SURVIVING EXERCISE. Soundly based on exercise philosophy and on new discoveries in kinesiology and sports medicine, the book fits the individual needs of everyone who exercises, from sedentary beginner to professional athlete.