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Closely based on his own life experiences of managing over 750,000 acres of Arizona ranch land as a horseman and rancher, Browning's fictional tale is a battle against adversity and a demonstration of how to remain resolute no matter the odds. Revolving around the main character of Murphy, the narrative opens with a trek through Murphy's rough childhood where his father's work and mother's health add immense pressure. However, in the midst of the unraveling family dynamic, Murphy's relationship with J.D., his brother who tests his mettle on nearly every occasion, becomes a lesson in being resilient despite one's size—a defining trait throughout all aspects of his life's journey. More than simply a chronicle of the cowboy lifestyle, Browning's work is made prominent by the inclusion of timely mentor figures in Murphy's life, none perhaps greater and more impactful than Doc Pardee, a legend in raising racehorses who just so happened to be a friend of Murphy's grandfather.
Despite being eighty-three years old, Doc's mentorship of Murphy, who he anoints as "Pardner," bears fruit, instilling a strong work ethic in him that pays dividends on the racetrack and the other excursions and ventures of life. As Pardner continues his evolution alongside Doc and Mr. Atchison, his success on the racetrack is only superseded by his steel will in competitions. With time, though, Pardner outgrows Doc, or rather, Doc no longer needs him. Almost like a slap in the face, Doc sells Boone, a cow horse Pardner has his eyes set on, igniting the next phase of Pardner's life–the transition to cowboy life.
Undeterred, Pardner makes his way to Mr. Goodyear, the man to whom Boone was sold. Simply walking, taking forward strides in life allows Pardner to grow and be forged by the fire of hard work and adversity. Like the racetrack revelation, a former fighter in Howard sets up Pardner with bare-knuckled fights, a unique opportunity for Pardner's primal side to come out that had tolerated one too many punishing beatdowns from brother and mom. Perhaps what is most intriguing about Pardner's character arc is that he seamlessly holds down these opportunities while attending school and earning a degree. In all regards, the author's protagonist epitomizes sheer force of will and determination.
As wise and street smart as Pardner is, his luck with the ladies is even better. A charmer through and through, it doesn't take long for him to find himself mired in a love triangle. Overall, Pardner's biographical experience is emotion personified. Readers will encounter raw emotions that range from anger and rage to pure passion and devotion toward what ultimately is best captured as the cowboy life. With every subsequent phase in Pardner's life, audiences become privy to a progressively engaging personality who is both animated and energetic, but also one who is full of class, grace, and a tremendous work ethic. Above all else, Browning's work is an interesting reflection, a fictional rendition of his own life that readers will find entertaining and revealing into a cowboy's mind and lifestyle.