Texas: An Illustrated History (Oxford Illustrated Histories (Y/A))

Texas: An Illustrated History covers a lot of history and a lot of ground. Everyone notices how different Texas is from other states. For one thing, it's bigger than all of them (except Alaska). For another, it's got so many different types of land in it that it seems like at least four states in one--mountains, gently sloping plains, three mighty rivers (and many lesser ones), prairies, wetlands, islands, not to mention miles and miles of highways passing through farm country and vast cities. And then there's the weather. It rains a lot in the eastern and central part but hardly at all in the west. Snow and sleet are unusual, but there can be blizzards on the Great Plains and in the Panhandle. There are also parts of Texas that experience droughts and other parts that are prone to flooding. Texas weather can include dust storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even "blue northers' that blow through, breaking tree limbs, shaking the windows, and lowering the temperature as much as 24 degrees in one hour. It should come as no surprise that a state so full of variety has a history as distinct and unpredictable as its weather and geography. In 9200 B.C. the first humans migrated into the Texas Panhandle. What followed--exploration and settlement by the Spaniards, Mexican rule, the years as an independent republic, statehood, secession, and the Civil War--and what is still unfolding today are fascinating stories. Distinguished Texas historian David G. McComb has gathered anecdotes, tall tales, and little-known facts to bring to life the drama, humor, and far-reaching consequences of Texas history. He writes of the Native Americans in Texas, of the armadillo (a whimsical folk symbol but not, as most suppose, the official state animal), the Alamo, barbed wire, longhorn cattle, the Texas Rangers, and the supreme importance of football to the average Texan. He profiles such Texans as Jim Bowie, Audie Murphy, Van Cliburn, Willie Nelson, Barbara Jordan, Michael DeBakey, and many others who have left a mark not only on Texas but on the world. The long and complex history of Texas falls into place in an entertaining text, brimming with facts and filled with fascinating photographs and illustrations from the past and present. It is safe to say that the United States could not survive without Texas if it had to. But after reading Texas: An Illustrated History, you will agree that Texas, has, over the years, added much to the history of our country and that is has a special brand of humor and style that enriches us all.

Texas: An Illustrated History covers a lot of history and a lot of ground.
Everyone notices how different Texas is from other states. For one thing, it's bigger than all of them (except Alaska). For another, it's got so many different types of land in it that it seems like at least four states in one-mountains, gently sloping plains, three mighty rivers (and many lesser ones), prairies, wetlands, islands, not to mention miles and miles of highways passing through farm country and vast cities. And then there's the weather. It rains a lot in the eastern and central part but hardly at all in the west. Snow and sleet are unusual, but there can be blizzards on the Great Plains and in the Panhandle. There are also parts of Texas that experience droughts and other parts that are prone to flooding. Texas weather can include dust storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even blue northers' that blow through, breaking tree limbs, shaking the windows, and lowering the temperature as much as 24 degrees in one hour.
It should come as no surprise that a state so full of variety has a history as distinct and unpredictable as its weather and geography. In 9200 B.C. the first humans migrated into the Texas Panhandle. What followed-exploration and settlement by the Spaniards, Mexican rule, the years as an independent republic, statehood, secession, and the Civil War-and what is still unfolding today are fascinating stories. Distinguished Texas historian David G. McComb has gathered anecdotes, tall tales, and little-known facts to bring to life the drama, humor, and far-reaching consequences of Texas history. He writes of the Native Americans in Texas, of the armadillo (a whimsical folk symbol but not, as most suppose, the official state animal), the Alamo, barbed wire, longhorn cattle, the Texas Rangers, and the supreme importance of football to the average Texan. He profiles such Texans as Jim Bowie, Audie Murphy, Van Cliburn, Willie Nelson, Barbara Jordan, Michael DeBakey, and many others who have left a mark not only on Texas but on the world. The long and complex history of Texas falls into place in an entertaining text, brimming with facts and filled with fascinating photographs and illustrations from the past and present.
It is safe to say that the United States could not survive without Texas if it had to. But after reading Texas: An Illustrated History, you will agree that Texas, has, over the years, added much to the history of our country and that is has a special brand of humor and style that enriches us all.

ISBN 0-19-509246-5......Page 8 Contents......Page 9 Chapter One The Native Americans and the Laud......Page 11 INDIAN TRIBES OF TEXAS......Page 17 Indian Rock Art......Page 18 PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF TEXAS......Page 20 The Armadillo......Page 23 Chapter Two Texas and Spain......Page 25 Free Blacks in a White World......Page 31 PLANO DELA POBLACION......Page 32 Jean Laffite: The Pirate of the Gulf......Page 34 The Bowie Knife......Page 41 The Alamo......Page 42 Chapter Three The Lone Star: Nation and State......Page 45 The Pig War......Page 47 The Lone Star Flag......Page 49 Terraqueous Machine......Page 54 Chapter Four The Last Frontier......Page 69 Longhorns......Page 73 Thorny Fence......Page 78 The Texas Rangers......Page 79 The Hoggs of Texas......Page 81 Chapter Five The Development of Modern Texas......Page 89 Texas Leaguer......Page 91 The Rainmaker of Post City......Page 94 Audie Murphy: To Hell and Back......Page 111 Chapter Six Texas and the World......Page 113 Vanya! Vanyushka!......Page 115 A Most Dangerous Sport......Page 116 Barbara Jordan: I Have No Fear......Page 121 Iron Mike......Page 127 Astrodome......Page 128 Chronology......Page 134 Museums and Historic Sites in Texas......Page 136 Further Reading......Page 141 Index......Page 144 Picture Credits......Page 147 David G. McComb......Page 151 The long and complex history of Texas, brimming with facts, anecdotes, tall tales, and trivia as well as fascinating photographs and illustrations from the past and present. Prominent Texans also profiled