THE COWBOY BOOT BOOK text by Tyler...

THE COWBOY BOOT BOOK text by Tyler Beard, photographs by Jim Arendt (Peregrine Smith Books: $16.95; 152 pp., paperback original). Fondlyl regarded as the footwear that helped to win the West, cowboy boots are once again trendy--as anyone who’s gone out in Southern California during the past five years can attest. Beard has compiled an upbeat paean to the once-humble boot, talking with boot makers and collectors around the country. Arendt’s sharp color photographs capture a $32,000 pair of black alligator and calfskin boots set with diamonds and rubies, as well as campy leftovers from the ‘40s and ‘50s decorated with state flags, oil wells, cacti and cowboys.