For anyone wanting to know what cutting looked like when it still had the hide on, when it was still an outdoor sport, before it was an "industry" and before its roots in the range livestock industry were obscured, reading Pat Jacobs' book is obligatory. The good horses of bygone days, the long roads, bad food, sketchy lodging and extraordinary individuals come to life. It was unheard of to throw away the Chatter and families were nearly bankrupted by long distance phone calls dedicated to cutting horses and the mysterious electricity they created. Horses weren't tools; they were colleges or fellow artists. This was high romance in some of the damndest places, fueled by often impractical true believers. It had the same DNA as the Wild West with its indifference to risk, career planning and the bottom line. There has never been anything like it in the realm of contest horses, and Pat Jacobs has done a wonderful job recreating a world that so many of us miss. . . Tom McGuane

Pat Jacobs lived it and loved it: the ranching and the hauling for the most sought-after jewel of the cutting horse industry - the NCHA World Championship title. But this is not a book just about horses, cattle and cowboys. For your reading enjoyment, Pat has used actual characters from his huge bank of memories, along with made-up names to protect their identities. He has woven colorful individuals into a backdrop of actual events, fictional -yet believable - players, plus love, sex, drama and human frailties, giving the reader an entertaining story with a surprise ending. Whether you love horses, want to know more about the formative years of the National Cutting Horse Association or you just like a good human-interest story, Pat has written this book for you. . . Glory Ann Kurtz

Whether they already own one, or beg for one each Christmas and birthday, children love pets, and Pet Pals is the perfect title for any pet-loving child out there.

From where they sleep to what they eat, and how you can make them feel safe and at home, this book provides all the pet care advice you could possibly need.

Adorable photos, and gentle, accessible text, makes this the perfect guide for all pet carers - whether they own a pet or not!