David Stoecklein's new book about the history of branding and some of the oldest and most famous Western ranches in the United States is especially informative. A brand is essential for any ranch--it identifies the ranch and its property. Yet it also has many intangible qualities and is a source of pride and identification for ranch owners and employees. A great deal of thought often goes into establishing a brand--setting, history, landscape, and family often play a part in the decision. Stoecklein's images offer a peek inside the long and dramatic stories of some of these most recognizable brands and the ranches they represent.