Amon The Texan Who Played Cowboy for America (Revised Edition)

For much of mid-twentieth-century America and the world, Amon G. Carter Sr. was the man who invented the cowboy-at least the larger-than-life Texas version that captured the imagination of not only the public, but presidents, movie stars, moguls, and other contemporary icons. What he invented was the persona he donned to build Fort Worth, from the Star-Telegram up, and much of the rest of West Texas. Arguably the greatest living authority on Carter (and Amon the Cowboy), Jerry Flemmons conjures into flesh and bone the mythical huckster and newspaper giant who waltzed the likes of Gary Cooper and Charles Lindbergh, Will Rogers and Ike, through the back door of his Fort Worth mansion and feted them at his Shady Oak Farm with almost spontaneous rodeos and parties. He allowed his famous friends to play cowboy with him and presented celebrities around the nation and the world with his signature Shady Oak hats and other expensive gifts, from diamond-studded belt buckles to autographed watermelons. Privately, Amon Carter's human compassion and philanthropy apparently knew no bounds. Originally published in 1978 as Amon: The Life of Amon G. Carter of Texas, this revised and updated edition includes new information from the previously sealed papers of H. L. Mencken; changes in the Carter communication empire; and what's happened to Amon's army of wives, family members, writers, and reporters.