Branding is one of the most deeply rooted, popular Venezuelan traditions, as ancient as the arrival of our ancestors, as well as the theme of this book. The indestructible mark is branded on the cattle, an eternal seal of individualism and ownership inherent to all those who formed our first communities and founded ranches, that, in turn, were the beginnings of the cattle ranching that evolved into an economic process that has still not been completely consolidated. Branding convers on the owner of the herd more power than an oath and more value than a probated document. It is a Coat of Arms implying dominion, a symbol of honor free from stain, an identification of bloodline mandated by tradition. In 1982, the publisher was awarded the Ehrendiplom der Internationalen Buchkunst-Austellung (Diploma of Honor for Branding), signed by the mayor of the city, at the Book Fair held annually in "the book town" of Leipzig.

Un tema de la más enraizada tradición popular venezolana, la hierra, tan antigua como la llegada misma de nuestros antepasados históricos, le aporta el contenido al presente libro. Con la indestructible huella de esta marca se le imprime a las reses el perenne sello del individualismo y de la propiedad, inmanentes a todos aquellos que forjaron nuestras primeras comunidades y fundaron fincas que, a su vez, fueron punto de partida a la incipiente ganadería que evolucionó hacia un proceso económico que todavía no ha terminado de consolidarse. La hierra confiere al dueño del rebaño más fuerza que un juramento o mayor valor que un documento protocolizado. Es blasón de señorío, símbolo de impoluta honradez, identificación de sangre, mandato de tradición.