From the bestselling author of Born to Run, a heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America, and, in the process, discovering the life-changing power of the human-animal connection. "A delight, full of heart and hijinks and humor." —John Grogan, author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog When Christopher McDougall decided to adopt a donkey in dire straits, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. But with the help of his neighbors, Chris came up with a crazy idea. Burro racing, a unique type of competition in which humans and donkeys run side by side over mountains and through streams, would be exactly the challenge Sherman and Chris needed. In the course of Sherman’s training, Chris would enlist Amish running clubs, high-spirited goats, the service animal community, and two Sarah Palin–loving long-distance female truckers. Sherman’s heartwarming story of overcoming all odds to run one of the most unbelievable races in America shows the healing power of movement and the strength of the human-animal connection. Look for Christopher McDougall's new book, Born to Run 2, coming in December!

The donkey, the onager, the koulan-the burro. All are names for one of the world’s most used and abused beasts of burden. If the horse was the animal of conquest, it was the lowly burro who made it possible for civilization to spread to the far reaches of the earth. Burros brought wood to the fires, raised water from the wells, toiled in the fields, carried the great and the poor, followed the conquistadors to the New World, and packed for the prospector and miner. Recommended by Cleveland Amory, renowned animal welfare advocate and founder of the Black Beauty Ranch, this book is an eloquent and appealing account of the burro’s past and present. It includes a chapter on the selection, feeding, and care of pet burros.

The author, P. J. Day and his two brothers and two sisters grew up in the magical valley of Tesuque, located just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. One of the family pets was a one-year-old little gray burro named Pedro. While reminiscing about that marvelous childhood Christmas Day in 2001, P. J. wrote a short poem for his daughter Jordyn, placing Pedro smack-dab in the middle of the first Christmas. A Burro's Tale evolved from that poem conceived on Christmas Day, 2001. The setting for A Burro's Tale is in fact the Tesuque Valley. Raphael's family business in the story is renting out his burros to the townsfolk who do not have a burro of their own. The burros are rented for travel, pulling carts, plowing fields, and carrying goods from the market. Pedro, the central character in A Burro's Tale, is younger and a bit smaller than the rest of the burros and has not yet been chosen for his first day of work. Pedro's journey throughout the story is really about the coming of age that all youngsters eventually face and learning to take his responsibilities seriously. Kids can be cruel, and Pedro's peer group in the story is no different. In order to gain acceptance, he must learn to ignore the relentless teasing from the other burros on the ranch (and a couple of mischievous horseflies) and work very hard to prove his worth. The story is filled with many valuable life lessons that all kids and young adults will relate to, because they will all go through them one day, or are being tested at this very moment. At all cost, it's about doing the right thing.

THE CALL OF THE WILD WEST - Ultimate Western Collection is an unparalleled anthology that brings together over 175 novels and short stories from the pens of some of the most celebrated authors in the American literary canon. This collection features a vast array of themes, including the rugged beauty of the American frontier, the complex relationships between man and nature, and the tumultuous path towards justice and redemption. Embedded within its pages are tales that traverse the whole of the Western genre, from thrilling adventures to poignant histories, all aimed at exploring the essence of what it means to confront the wild unknown. The anthology stands as a testament to the diversity and significance of the Western narrative, offering readers standout pieces that highlight the periods dynamic range of literary stylesfrom the raw realism of Twain to the romanticized vistas by Grey. The contributing authors, a veritable whos who of the literary world, including but not limited to Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Jack London, bring a rich tapestry of backgrounds to the collection. Their collective works encapsulate not only the evolving character of the American West but also the broader shifts in American culture and literature. The anthology aligns with key historical and cultural movements such as Manifest Destiny and the taming of the frontier, enabling a multifaceted exploration of these themes through the prism of various literary movements. By amalgamating the distinct voices and narratives of authors who have defined the genre, the collection invites readers to a deeper understanding of the enduring myths and realities of the American West. THE CALL OF THE WILD WEST - Ultimate Western Collection offers readers an unprecedented opportunity to engage with the Western genre in all its complexity and grandeur. It is an imperative read for those who wish to delve into the rich narrative of American expansion and the diverse interpretations of frontier life. Beyond its educational value, the anthology serves as a platform for the intricate dialogues between different periods, themes, and styles, encapsulated within the Western tradition. It invites lovers of history, literature, and culture to explore the depths of human resilience and the landscapes that shaped Americas literary heritage.

Despite her feeling that she is only a burro, Pequeña is able to live up to the noble heritage of her ancestors who helped to build Mexico.

From one of the greatest writers of Western fiction. It’s the early 1920s, and Carley Burch loves New York City life. Carley Burch also loves Glenn Kilbourn. Will Carley travel all the way from New York City to the wilds of Arizona to bring Glenn, her fiancé, back to civilization? Recovered from injuries he received during World War I, Glenn found a home in Oak Creek Canyon. Can he convince Carley to make Arizona her new home? Zane Grey is well known for his rough-and-tumble westerns, soaring descriptions, and love of the outdoors. He includes all of that in this tale of Carley’s journey to what is truly important to her—whether it’s life as a New York socialite or Glenn’s wife and partner. This fine new edition of the Zane Grey classic includes an original foreword by multiple award-winning writer Jeffrey J. Mariotte.

This is a story of recollections of the impetus in the lives of two ordinary people that transpired after they heard the call of a donkey. The events and relationships that followed could only have been designed by God that would result in our meeting a young woman whose short life would provide the defining moment of the organization known in Elko County Nevada as Friends for Life.