Unbranded Paperback – January 5, 2015

I was hesitant to spend the money on this book because it was a little more expensive than most books that I buy, but once I received it I was so glad I did. It is not like a novel it is a book that you put on your coffee table to admire. The quality of the printed photos is unbeatable and I was lucky enough to receive an autographed copy. I really enjoyed the stories and extra details that were explained in the book that was not mentioned in the movie. I will cherish this book for a long time and will for sure support my fellow Aggies again if they continue to produce this quality!

I have to give Ben Masters a lot of credit: He writes like a pro. This is one of the very few books I have read that makes me actually feel like I am there. I feel like I am there in person as an observer watching as this exciting adventure unfolds. Explore the trail that these 4 cowboys take with mustangs from the Mexican Border to the Canadian Border. The pictures and words of New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana are fantastic. Their courage and determination will carry these young men to ultimate success over a lifetime. A definite read and, I know, to the great documentary due out this Fall (2015). Enjoy! It is worth the investment and the time - it will leave you wanting more.

There remains a part in all of us that yearns for the untouched, grandiose and majestic part of nature rarely experienced by today’s generation. What was it like to travel across this great land on horseback? What challenges did generations past overcome to live and survive in such austere conditions? Ben Masters and his team travel from Mexico to Canada on the icon of American lore; the Mustang. Their journey stirs mind and emotion as they travel through challenging terrain; often testing the mettle of man and beast.With them, we come to appreciate the bond between man and mustang, and how together they navigate perils we can only imagine. Mustangs must tame their instinct to panic and run from things unfamiliar, while the horsemen must learn skills never before needed. Their well-planned quest starts with tepid excitement, but they quickly learn that so large a task succeeds only because of the generosity of others who share a love of the wild places.Unbranded, for a moment, takes us from the daily bustle and gives us a glimpse of the spirit that made America. We share a bond with the wild horses that roam the plains for we are both strong, independent and hearty. Yet, there is a danger we could lose this icon without proper conservation management. Hopefully, this book awakens readers of the need to balance the requirement for resources and preserve the mustang for future generations. Though this was not his purpose at the beginning, Mr. Masters sums up his experience here:"I often wished I lived in the year 1500, when nature dominated the continent. But I don't, and I now feel an obligation to take care of the land that has taken such good care of me—to conserve nature in a manner that accepts the human need for nature's resources. I love the wild places we traveled through—a genuine love that came from being in those places. It's difficult to love wild places if you don't experience them, and you can't experience them if they don't exist. Using our resources wisely, conserving the integrity of landscapes, and getting outside—away from the lights and bustle of cities—are necessary for the future of wild places. If we lose them, we won't get them back."

If you love horses and the outdoors, this is your book. It's the story about four college guys from Texas A&M who decide to organize a trail ride from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. The reason for trip, is to raise money for the wild mustangs that the bureau of land management is ,for a better term, taking care of. The plight of these mustangs is up for grabs. A lot of people aren't aware of what these wild horses face for their survival. It's a fantastic book with beautiful scenery, that chronicles all the hardships they face. I recommend this book to everyone.

The story line is great. Some confusion came in that the chapter jumped around a bit as for the timeline and people speaking; just took a little effort to put thing into a definitive timeline. The book does get varying perspectives and that is very useful (especially after the movie presented a terrible conflict within). The book seems to play down this conflict and I give kudos to the authors; it is not the point of the book.All in all, a solid read for all.

The beauty and the rugged wildness of the Rocky Mountain west is one of our nation's most sacred treasures. A horsepack trip into the Thorofare Region should be on the bucket list of anyone who truly values the American wilderness and will come close to duplicating at least a portion of the border to border trip documented in Unbranded. Tip of the hat to Val Geissler for helping these kids make their trip possible; you can "tell from the way he treats people and horses" that he and his wife, Cindy, are the real deal.

I got the book before I saw the movie, which made the movie even richer for all the interior details it had. A stunning array of photography & a wonderful story of perseverance, learning by hard knocks & a a triumph at the end of the trail! I sent this to my brother who has a 10 acre horse ranch in NJ. He absolutely loved it! So do I! I'm going to buy the Unbranded DVD when it comes out!

What a great book! Made well, and is worth it! Saw the movie and now so glad to have the book.

A fantastic achievement particularly in this day and age.Churchill said there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.They bring pleasure and perspective.

una storia appassionante, da conoscere e da approfondire per capire la reale situazione dei mustang d'america e informarsi sul destino (poco felice) di quello che dovrebbe essere una grande eredità e un simbolo americano. Utile informarsi anche sulle azioni future intraprese dall'autore del film, decisamente poco coerenti con la sua storia iniziale e sulle motivazioni che lo hanno spinto a raccontarci questa storia.

Gorgeous photography. Loved the movie and thrilled to be able to enjoy the book now.

unbedingt lesenswert! ich habe schon viele fernreit-reiseberichte gelesen, aber dieser ist bei weitem der beste. spannend geschrieben und auch für nichtreiter lesenswert. super fotos! und ehrliche reise, nicht vororganisiert mit begleitcrew, dusche und koch. allen respekt vor der beachtlichen leistung! freue mich schon auf den film.

Good book