Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 15 - Jul 20
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
The Backbone of the World: A Portrait of the Vanishing West Along the Continental DivideIn recent years, Los Angeles Times writer and editor Frank Clifford has journeyed along the Continental Divide, the hemispheric watershed that spans North America from the alkali badlands of southernmost New Mexico to the roof of the Rockies in Montana and into Canada. The result is The Backbone of the World, an arresting exploration of America's longest wilderness corridor, a harsh and unforgiving region inhabited by men and women whose way of life
In recent years, Los Angeles Times writer and editor Frank Clifford has journeyed along the Continental Divide, the hemispheric watershed that spans North America from the alkali badlands of southernmost New Mexico to the roof of the Rockies in Montana and into Canada. The result is The Backbone of the World, an arresting exploration of America's longest wilderness corridor, a harsh and unforgiving region inhabited by men and women whose way of life is as imperiled as the neighboring wildlife. With the brutal beauty and stark cadences of a Cormac McCarthy novel, The Backbone of the World tells the story of the last remnants of the Old West, America's mythic landscape, where past and present are barely discernible from one another and where people's lives are still intrinsically linked to their natural surroundings. Clifford vividly captures the challenges of life along the Divide today through portraits of memorable characters: a ranching family whose isolated New Mexico homestead has become a mecca for illegal immigrants and drug smugglers; a sheep herder struggling to make a living tending his flock in the mountains above Vail, Colorado: an old mule packer who has spent years scouring the mountains of northwest Wyoming for the downed plane of his son; a Yellowstone Park ranger on a lone crusade to protect elk and grizzly bears from illegal hunters; and a group of Blackfeet Indians in northern Montana who are fearful that a wilderness sanctuary will be lost to oil and gas development. In each of their stories, the tide of change is looming as environmental, economic, social, and political forces threaten this uniquely unfettered population. Clifford's participatory approach offers a haunting and immediate evocation of character and geography and an unsentimental eulogy to the people whose disappearance will sever a link with the defining American pioneer spirit. Set in a world of isolated ranches, trail camps, mountain bivouacs, and forgotten hamlets, The Backbone of the World highlights the frontier values that have both ennobled and degraded us, values that symbolize the last breath of our founding character. From the Hardcover edition.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway Books
Published: 05/13/2003
ISBN: 9780767907026
Pages: 288
Weight: 0.83lbs
Size: 8.56h x 5.54w x 0.70d
Review Citations: New York Times 08/10/2003 pg. 24
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 423 reviews
Sort
Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Best toy for Fetch, Inside and outside. I have multiple of them!
Color: Colors May Vary, Size: 5.5 Inch
Size: LARGE
This is hands-down my favorite toy for playing fetch/exercising my dog. I've already bought 2 of these, and I am buying a third because the first one is being rotated out (it got baked by the sun after 3 years outside haha).
My Story:
My dog LOVES to play. All the time. Inside and outside (well duh, all dogs do). But this toy allows me to play inside while not worrying too much about breaking things. My dog has grown out of his "chew to DESTROY it!" phase, so he is able to keep his toys for a long time.
I hate touching toys after they've been slobbered all over, it keeps me from playing with him! There are so many toys that become slippery or slimy after just one throw! But THIS is a great toy because you are able to pick it up with one finger, and just fling it really easily, without getting your hands all gross.
In fact, when i'm playing outside with my dog, I actually KICK these (large or jumbo size only) instead of throwing them. They are perfect for that! and I can get a good kick and consistent placement every time with this thing. And then, I don't have to touch it with my hands AT ALL!
Reasons I love it:
- Non-destructive Indoor Play: I like that this thing keeps its shape, but when it hits things, it just doinks off really lightly and doesn't cause any marks or damage to walls, windows, etc. Note: my house is also not full of knick-knacks or delicate items placed all around that are in harm's way. I'm sure it could knock down some little glass vases if it made contact.
The point is, if you place your throws well, you are very unlikely to damage anything in your house (besides your wood floors from your dog's nails sliding all around haha).
- Quiet: When you kick/throw this toy, and then it lands on the ground/hardwood, it doesn't sound like a bomb went off in your house. It lands softly and lightly, as if you tossed a half-empty toilet paper roll. I have hardwood at my house, so when I play with other toys, they land on the floor and go BOOM as if you just dropped a 20lb weight! If someone else is playing with my dog with other toys and i'm in the other room, it nearly scares the pants off me. I run in and say, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON --oh, you're just playing! so cute. Sorry, continue on."
- Slobber-Free: You don't have to touch the slobbery part in order to throw it or kick it to your dog! Very easily kick-able; it's my preferred method of playing fetch (least energy for me, although I should be the one running, ha).
- Easy to catch: Super easy for my dog to catch. He should be a wide receiver cuz he catches things that, when I kick it, while it's in the air i'm thinking, "AW CRAP, that's way too far..... OH WAIT, he got it?!?! noiiice!" Makes an amateur "quarterback" proud lol.
- Price: It's not $20 per ball! Some toys are $20 and they make you REALLY have to think ... "Does he REALLY need this toy....??" the answer is always NO, (because he has a million toys that are perfectly good). And then I waver so long on the purchase that I forget it even exists!
- Longevity: If your dog is past the "MUST.DESTROY.ALL.THINGS!" stage, then it will last a long time. After 3 years, I'm finally replacing/rotating-out the first one I bought 3 years ago. It has been in the sun, rain, winter, mud; everything. I could still use it; it's totally usable! I was just like, "Eh, why not get a new one?" Honestly, you can never have too many of these. seriously.
- Light, Easily Portable: I always pack these in my dog bag. They are light, and they can smoosh into the bag to a smaller size if my bag is full. No problem.
- Least-annoying toy that your dog brings to you: My dog likes to HINT that he wants to play by bringing his toys and setting them in my lap (wherever i am). With most of his other toys, my reaction is, "GROSS! it's already so slimy!" and I flick it off of me. This Hole-Y Roller is light and not slimy so you can quickly fling it for your dog without getting side-tracked from whatever “unimportant human activity” you’re doing.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2018
★★★★★ 5
Fun with a creative twist
Color: Colors May Vary, Size: 5.5 Inch
This would be a toy to get creative with. The quality is there. It’s a nice size it rolls so it’s great as just a bowl that’s slightly rubbery silicone like that the dog can play with and chew a bit. If you have a strong tour, and you believe that they chew everything that you give them eventually they would probably chew it open. Our puppy likes it plays with that as a typical ball. It’s perfect because he can grab it in his mouth and walk around with it lightly and easily. We do take a kitchen towel. Roll it with treats and shove it inside and he’ll have to try and retrieve that that towel with the treats so it kind of gives us a few minutes of peacefulness. You can create so many different fun games with it because you have access to place things inside you know the holes are slightly big so the items inside would have to be of a good size. We have put his his large wishbones inside to allow for him not to have to hold the bone and it gives him some sort of structure as well as if it rolls away, he finds it to be a game so that’s nice. It’s made well. It’s good quality. I like how it’s blue so the dog could see the color and it’s easy to store cause it’s not huge.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Buy it!!!! It’s great!!!
Color: Blue, Size: 5.5 Inch, Color: Blue, Size: 5.5 Inch
My dog is obsessed with this ball!!! It is very sturdy and he has fun chewing it and playing with it. I bought the biggest size for my mini Goldendoodle. Buy it!! It’s a winner!!!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Great toy for both inside & outside play!
Color: Pink, Size: 3 Inch, Color: Pink, Size: 3 Inch
My Yorkies love this toy! This is my 3rd purchase of the same type of ball - the small 3" JW Pet HOL-lee ball. I bought one for my first Yorkie, she loved it, so when I got another Yorkie puppy, I bought a 2nd. They play with them so much that they sometimes get left outside. The green one was faded and started to blend it with the grass, so I bought a new one. It's great for a game of fetch, and isneasy to wash. Wish I could select a specific color, as I'd really like a purple one.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2025
★★★★★ 4
Great indoors and out.
Color: Blue, Size: 4.5 Inch
This is a great toy if your dog likes balls. While it's not my dog's favorite (he favors small squeaky animals) it is safe indoors, soft on floor, walls and furniture and something durable for fetching.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2026