Texas Non-Fiction: A List

Joined : 03 Aug 2007 Posts : 4

Texas non -iction in no particular order:

Lone Star, T.R. Fuhrenbach
Interwoven, Sallie Reynolds Mattews
Goodbye to a River, John Graves
Olmsted's Texas Journey, Fredrick Law Olmsted
Adventures with a Texas Naturalist, Roy Bedichek
This Stubborn Soil, Willam A. Owens
A Personal Country. A. C. Greene
Great River, Paul Horgan
Alamo: A Cultural History, Frank Thompson
Chronicles of the Big Bend, W. D Smithers
I'll Gather My Geese, Hallie Stillwell

Subject: Re: Texas Non-Fiction: A List Fri 03 Aug 2007, 6:38 pm

Thanks for listing those, and welcome Smile

A few of the books I have read (or skimmed); several I am familiar with and will try to obtain copies. I really know very little about the history of my own state and what little I do know, I don't understand to the depth that I should.

I am particularly interested in 'Chronicles of the Big Bend,' because a couple of us here have been wanting to find out more about the Avisadores (communicators via mirror and light), and this book was listed as the source for an article we read about them. If you might know more about those fellows, we would surely like to hear it.

Thanks,

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Joined : 03 Aug 2007 Posts : 4

In his book, Smithers devotes an entire chapter to Avisadores. In the chapter he details the history and function of the "Mexican Grapevine" and some of his personal experiences with the aviso system.

Trailblazer Joined : 29 May 2007 Posts : 88

TEN TEXAS FEUDS and I'LL DIE BEFORE I"LL RUIN by C.L. Sonnichsen
A TEXIAN ILIAD: A MILITARY HISTORY OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION by Stephen Hardin
THE KING RANCH by Tom Lea

Subject: Re: Texas Non-Fiction: A List Sun 05 Aug 2007, 12:02 am

Has anyone read Herbert Eugene Bolton's 'Texas in the Middle Eighteenth Century: Studies in Spanish Colonial History and Administration' (1915; 1970 UT)?

I've had a copy of it for a long time, but have promised myself that I will read it before year's end (God willing).

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Joined : 29 Nov 2007 Posts : 6

What is the best overall history book on Texas? For the begining reader.

Subject: Re: Texas Non-Fiction: A List Sun 02 Dec 2007, 5:05 am

Miles, I haven't read very many general histories of Texas, but have always (or, nearly so) liked a classic college text ~ Texas: The Lone Star State, by Richardson, Wallace and Anderson. The edition that I have is the fourth (1981). Personally, I wouldn't go much more recent than that. Haven't checked, but wouldn't be surprised had it been hopelessly warped in subsequent editions.

Many folks recommend, Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans, by T. R. Fehrenbach. I have yet to read most of it, but was surprised and disappointed by his treatment of archaeology in the first chapter (felt his presentation was stronger in Fire and Blood, his work on Mexico). The other chapters appear to be more 'up to par' and balanced.

Of late, some readers have been impressed with Gone to Texas, by Randolph Campbell. I have flipped though this book in a shop but do not have my own copy.

Hope that this helps just a little.

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Joined : 29 Nov 2007 Posts : 6

Thanks for the pointers. Have you read TEXAS by James Michner?

Subject: Re: Texas Non-Fiction: A List Sun 02 Dec 2007, 7:22 pm

Sadly, Miles ... no, I have not. I do have a copy of J. Michener's Texas , but never made it past the first couple of chapters, with which I was impressed. That is a bad habit of mine: not completing books which I have begun reading (especially novels) Crying or Very sad

Many historians think highly of the research that underlies Michener's fiction, I believe.

How about you .... have you read Texas?

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Joined : 29 Nov 2007 Posts : 6

Nope that's why I was aksing you. Never had time. Wanted to know if it was wroth all that reading.

Subject: Re: Texas Non-Fiction: A List Tue 11 Mar 2008, 4:02 am

Are there best books on cattle and oil works, please?

Subject: Re: Texas Non-Fiction: A List Tue 11 Mar 2008, 11:09 pm

Two books which I would recommend for the ante-fenced days would be The Chisholm Trail, by Wayne Gard (the University of Oklahoma Press, 1954-1976 and beyond) and, The Trail Drivers of Texas, edited by J. Marvin Hunter (the University of Texas Press, 1924; 1986.

I possess little familiarity with the oil history of Texas (cleaving to the floor here in shame, of course), but will try my best to find a study which might be of benefit. For myself, I possess a vital interest in the oral history of the fellows who have worked our wells and drillings across the years. Will search for an undertaking in this regard.

I have kin who were employed by and/ or familiar with the oil industry -- on-the-ground -- in Stephens County, Texas, during the 1950s.

I myself exist on the parameters of the Old Chisholm Trail.

An enjoyable learning experience extended to you ~
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves