BOOKS BY HANK PALLISTER & JOYCE PALLISTER-BRONSCH
For information on ordering books, please click on buy/contact. You can also purchase the books online from the Calgary Stampede Online Store. You will be automatically directed to the store by clicking here.
SMOKE FROM THE BRANDING FIRE $27.95
Early Ranch History of Western Canada
AUTHOR: Hank Pallister with Joyce Pallister
Hank Pallister was raised on his father’s ranch, at Turner Valley Alberta, the son of a recognized pioneer family. He lived his early life surrounded by the old-time cowmen and a world of fascinating stories. Later, as Coordinator of Brand Inspection for Alberta, Hank came to know many of the personalities that gave so much to the aura of cowboy life in the Canadian west. His experiences and knowledge of Alberta’s cattle brand registrations and ranching history, its lore and memorable characters are recorded here in rich detail. Hank passed away in 2005 at the age of 79.
An excellent review of the book is available to see by clicking here.
Paperback, 6×9 256pp b&w photos ISBN 979-0-9810034-0-5
Pallister Publications. 3rd printing 2009. History/Ranching
LINGO & LINES FROM A COWBOY’S LIFE AND A COWBOY’S WIFE $15.95
AUTHORS: Hank Pallister & Joyce Pallister
This collection of cowboy poetry celebrates the Western way of life from two viewpoints: the cowboy and the unsung hero, his good wife. Classic rhyme schemes echo idylls of the range, work, home and family.
Alberta illustrator, Don Brestler, completes this compendium with his striking pen and ink sketches.
Paperback, 6×6, 88pp, line drawings ISBN 978-0-9810034-1-2
Pallister Publications. 3rd printing April 2009. Poetry/Cowboy
BULLS, BRANDS & B.S. $26.95
Historical & Humorous Stories from Alberta’s Brand Inspectors
This second book of the writings of the late Hank Pallister, Supervisor of Alberta’s Brand Inspection system, captures the characters and the cowmen that played an important part in the marketing of livestock. It includes information on Alberta’s cattle ranching industry as well as stories from other brand inspectors throughout the province.
He recounts the many incidents that portray not only the life of the cowboy, but also the dangerous aspects of their job. Here to, are the humorous incidents that were everyday happenings for brand inspectors around the stockyards and auction markets, where Hank worked for 42 years and is told in their engaging “cowboy lingo.” The book is enhanced by the pen and ink
sketches of western artist Don Brestler.
Paperback, 6×9 254pp b&wphotos ISBN 978-0-9810034-2-9
Pallister Publications. 1st printing April 2010. Brands/Animal Industry/Alberta History
For information on purchasing or ordering the books click here.
The late cowman Hank Pallister spent his entire working life in the cattle industry. This book is a compilation of some of his stories, poems and researched articles. Much has been written of late about the history of cattle ranching in Alberta, but little has been written by the people who were actually closest to this brief yet exciting time of the province’s formation. Smoke from the Branding Fire by the late Hank Pallister is the exception…
Read the rest of this review of “Smoke From the Branding Fire” by Laurie Hodges Humble at suite 101.com by clicking here.
Endorsements:
Hank Pallister was a legendary figure around the historical ranches of the Canadian West, in particular, the OH and the Y Cross. His research and dedication to maintaining the records and history of brands has been a remarkable undertaking, and will be of significant importance in capturing the history of Western Canadian Ranches.
D.K. (Doc) Seaman, O.C.
OH Ranch, Longview, Alberta.
Hank Pallister realized the stories told to him by his father, Guy, needed to be recorded, as an important part of the Western Canadian Farming and Ranching industry. Hank appreciated the lifestyle of pioneers, and the sacrifices they made for future generations of our great country, Canada. I congratulate his wife Joyce, who, without her, this book would not have been made possible for all of us to enjoy. Thank you for relating the importance of the history of this vast area, to all of us.
George Groevneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Food,
M.L.A. Highwood, High River, Alberta.
The history of Alberta and the cattle industry are filled with unique and almost lost stories and anecdotes. Hank Pallister not only lived during some of those historical events, but had the ability to observe and relate them to the readers of his column that was published for many year in our magazine. Our history is young, but Hank knew just how to make it glorious, evocative, and personal. Anyone who enjoys reading about the history of this province and our cattle and cowboy culture won’t be disappointed with this great book.
Will Verboven, Editor, Alberta Beef Magazine
Calgary, Alberta.
Dedicated to Mr. Pallister,
We, the former staff of the Stettler Brand Office wish to recognize Hank, our boss, colleague and friend. Hank had an incredible passion and a strong dedication to the Brand Industry in Alberta. For many years he had talked about writing this book, and spent many hours doing research. With the support and effort of his wife, and best friend, Joyce, Hank’s dream came true!
Stettler Brand Office Staff 1975 –1998
Hank knew so many people in ranching country. He played an invaluable role as Executive Director for Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association, and was a long time friend to those on the Collections Committee; as well as sharing his practical knowledge with staff and interpreters at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. It is good to see his knowledge of the ranching industry being recorded for others to enjoy!
Roger MacDonald, Chairman, Collections Committee
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Longview, Alberta.
As a young man, Hank worked on ranches in Southern Alberta, and followed in his father’s ranching heritage to take employment with the Alberta Government as a Brand Inspector. His 42 years in the Brand industry gave him a deep interest and lifelong study of brands and the industry of ranching. His writings were authentic, interesting, historic, and above all, accurate. Many readers had some family connection to particular articles.
Roy R. McLean, Reeve
Municipal District of Foothills No. 31,
High River, Alberta.
It is important to future generations that Hank’s legacy of brands and ranching knowledge has come to fruition. Hank was a noted historian, and authority on early brands and turn of the century ranching history. Hank worked with me on several movies, and enjoyed being able to preserve and keep the old west alive.
John Scott,
Longview, Alberta.
Hank Pallister was in integral part of our western heritage; as a rodeo competitor, judge, and all around cowboy. He was always a valuable contributor to the Annual Rangeman’s Dinner through his vast knowledge of the open range and the folklore attached to those early days of the west. I am delighted that Joyce has taken the initiative to publish Mr. Pallister’s memoirs, and I have no doubt that it will form an interesting part of our Alberta heritage in the years to come.
W.H. Danny Copithorne,
Southern Alberta Pioneers, and The Rangemen’s Association.
I am especially pleased that Joyce has completed the book “Smoke From The Branding Fire”, as making these writings available to the public is entirely consistent with the Museum’s mission – “To preserve and share the heritage of the Highwood area.” His writings are significant not only to the Highwood area, but also to the province, and indeed to the country which has chosen a ranch as one of its historic sites.
Museum Of The Highwood
R. Dianne Vallee, Director/Curator
