Cowboy in a Corporate World: 37 Years of Life & Lessons on Koch Industries' Beaverhead Ranch Hardcover – Import, 31 August 2022

A great read with an in depth look at the inner workings of a Montana cattle ranch and a large corporation. It’s great to see how much people care and take pride in what they do even when working for someone else in a historically family owned environment. Thanks for writing it!

This book reads like a manual on so many essential skills for thriving in not just ranching and business, but also life. Skills like how to lead change in a large-scale business. How to advance within a corporate structure. How to make decisions in a complex system. But most importantly this book will teach you about the essential role of faith in creating true success in all these endeavors. It does this without being heavy handed rather through telling stories and giving real world well documented examples on everything from cow and horse selection and ecosystem improvement to walking faithfully with family and God through life. I think this book will be on the back table of many future ranching classes along with classics like Kick the Hay Habit, No Risk Ranching, Thoughts and Advice from an Old Cattleman, Dirt to Soil, Knowledge Rich Ranching, and Chip Hines' works. All that is to say nothing of the fantastic photography from a large working western ranch with beautiful landscapes, cowboys, cows, horses, and family.

Ray Marxer has reduced to words a very accomplished and eventful life. The book so accurately depicts REAl ranch life and more importantly the stewardship of operating a cattle ranch.What many people would describe as deprivations, the Marxers viewed as blessings and a wonder for their creator and environment. These are the “true” environmentalists and protectors of our earth. They live and exist to protect the land and its treasures.Ray Marxer’s discussions on the continuous efforts to improve the “breed” are spot on and reflect the wonderful, native curiosity of those that live to provide the rest of us with sustenance.His experience with Corporate America also is an oft told tale, and a cautionary one at that.Kudos for a first book and one told with sincerity and passion.

Despite the fact that I grew up watching tv westerns, and that I had 3 half-brothers who grew up on a ranch, I really had no ideas what cowboys did for a living. I knew cows, horses, and ropes were involved, but that was about it. It sounded like such a romantic life: riding around on the open range with your trusty horse who was your best friend. This book was a real eye-opener! I grew up on a small farm in the Midwest, and I thought farming was a tough way to make a living, but it doesn't even come close to ranch work. I certainly never thought of ranching being a corporate enterprise. Ray's book was absolutely fascinating and I could hardly put it down. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what cowboys REALLY do!

Excellent account told by the man himself of growing into a real man - before family, business and God. Making integrity the heart of all his life and rising far beyond his intention. Honest telling of what it was like to work in Old West conditions on a 240,000 acre ranch, tending cattle with raw character. He includes the excitement of living his heart's desire on several levels but also the backstory of the conflict of integrity with a culture that sometimes focuses on passing expediency for apparent results.Every man and woman who desires to excel should read the lessons of Ray's life.