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

McComb, David G.

9780195092462: Texas: An Illustrated History (Oxford Illustrated Histories (Y/A))

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195092465 ISBN 13: 9780195092462

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1995

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.

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About the Author:

David G. McComb is a displaced Texan currently living in Colorado, where he is professor of history at Colorado State University. He grew up in Houston and graduated from Southern Methodist University. He holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University, an M.A. from Rice University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Professor McComb is the author of Texas: A Modern History; Houston: The Bayou City (winner of the Tullis Prize of the Texas State Historical Association); Galveston: A History (winner of the Texas State Historical Commission Book Award); and Colorado: A History of the Centennial State. He was a special research associate of the University of Texas Oral History Project on Lyndon B. Johnson and is a fellow of the Texas State Historical Association.

Review:

"A valuable and uncluttered account of Texas' past."--Legacies

"Boastful and readable."--Books of the South West

"Not even one of the book's 142 pages lacks an illustration, and many are in color. Designed for young adults, the book will also be valued by anyone who finds weightier tomes such as Lone Star a bit intimidating. Profiles, anecdotes, facts, and folklore make this fun to read."--San Antonio Express-News

"A history of Texas from its prehistoric beginnings to the present, combining anecdotes, generalizations, and personality portraits in a pleasing narrative style.... This book will be especially useful to seventh-grade Texas history teachers complying with the new essential elements for that course, but fourth-grade students, high school students, and interested adults will also find much of value in the book. It should definitely be purchased by all school and public libraries."--Southwestern Historical Quarterly

"Where can you learn about armadillos and longhorns? American Indians and Willie Nelson? In Texas of course! And from now on, Texas: An Illustrated History by noted scholar and Texas historian David G. McComb, is the only guide you'll ever need to the fascinating history of this unique state. From Native Americans to frontiersmen, from the Civil War to modern statehood, this richly illustrated volume for young adults and interested readers of all ages is sure to delight anyone who has experienced the unique state of mind that is Texas."--Houston Tribune

"Tracing the colorful history of the nation's second largest state, McComb begins with the earliest inhabitants, the Paleo-Indians, and continues through to Ross Perot and other prominent Texans. McComb's scholarly credentials are impeccable, and his discussion is thorough and balanced.... Quotations, anecdotes, and a lively writing style make this entertaining as well as informative. This title will be one to point out to adults as well as to older children."--Booklist

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