Smoky the Cowhorse
About this audiobook
Smoky the Cowhorse is one of the most famous and beloved horse stories told. Will James writes in 1920’s cowboy vernacular and tells the life of the horse, Smoky, in the western United States from his birth to eventual return to his home range.
Smoky is born in the wild, captured, and trained by Clint and becomes known as the best cow horse. Then a horse thief steals Smoky and beats him repeatedly. Smoky eventually attacks and escapes from the abusive thief.
When Smoky is eventually captured, his new violent demeanor results in him being used as a bucking bronco in rodeos as “The Cougar.” Years of bucking take their toll. “The Cougar” becomes “Cloudy” the riding horse, and eventually he is sold to an abusive man who starves him. It would be the end, but Clint happens to find him. With careful treatment, Smoky recovers while back on his home range.
Smoky the Cowhorse won the 1927 Newbery Award and was adapted to the screen three times as Smoky.
Ratings and reviews
About the author
Will James (1892–1942) was an artist and author of books about the American west, in particular, horses. His works consistently captured the imagination of the public, earning him the nickname “the Pied Piper of the West.” James wrote the 1926 book Smoky the Cowhorse, which was awarded the John Newbery Medal in 1927 and remains in print to this day. Several movie adaptations of the story have been created, including a 1933 version that included Will James himself as the narrator.
Wayne Evans is a professional voice actor who brings your words to life. Wayne grew up on a working ranch in North Dakota—yes, horses, cattle, and fences. And he subsequently traveled the seven continents. Like his life, Wayne’s voice starts out as “all-American,” but he travels with a world of voice-over skills. Wayne’s voice-over work fits perfectly with e-learning and audiobooks, which have ranged from self-help books to memoirs to novels.
