By Temple Stark, Casa Grande, Arizona
I bought a book the other day about the history of Texas. I bought it because it was small, didn't profess to be a textbook and sought in a very real way to make the entire Lone Star state accessible, and it was not merely about the big cities.
If we don't learn history we are doomed to repeat its mistakes, so goes the popular saying. However, reading about history never allows readers the full experience of being on the spot; all senses absorbing with eyes wide open to feel the vastness of the history as part of one long unraveling thread.
Some threads are longer than others.
"Exploring Texas History: Weekend Adventures" (Taylor Trade $18.95) combines the two experiences of reading and witnessing. Authors Elaine L. Galit & Vikk Simmons have written a quick book of sorts to the rich background that has made and molded modern Texas. As ever, it is not all pretty, and few will be proud of everything. But it is what it was.
Titles such as "Waco: Love is in the air" , "Orange: Living large with the Stark family" (what!?!), "Armarillo: You're a spray paint can away from art" and "Corpus Christi: Why U.S. Grant grew a beard" do let the reader know there's a certain humor and levity throughout. This is not a textbook tortured with dates, names and the minutia of moment. All of that depth of exactitude is available when you get to most of the places mentioned.
In 222 pages the book is organized into seven regions, such as "In and around the Texas Gulf Coast." In a series of 50 short summaries of cities and areas of historical interest the reader is the bronc buster, tossed about from one dusty, dramatic, turning point moment in local history before twisting into another.
Though it can be read as one whole, it is designed to be a tour guide and perhaps a vacation planner for a Texas road trip. At each step, along with the condensed history, are directions, and specific attractions, such as walking tours, museums and film presentations. Also noted is the best time to visit, places to stay nearby and Web sites and phone numbers to call up for more information.
Article comments
1 - Deb Whitaker
I'm so glad Vikk's book is getting the recognition it deserves. I read it in manuscript and it made me want to spend all my weekends visiting Texas history sites.
2 - Mark Jochim
Excellent review! Although lately I've been concentrating my studies on Albuquerque history (we just began an 18-month celebration of our city's 300th birthday), I'm still a native-born Texan (born in 1965 at Parkland in Dallas - lived in Garland and Midland before moving to Tennessee at the age of 10). I'm looking forward to buying this book now. Thanks!
3 - SFC SKI
While the West Texas plains were a bit too barren for me, I enjoyed the 4 years I spent in Texas rather well. It really has an amazing history, most people would probably be surprised to know that Texas was a major point of entry for Europeans entering the US in the 1800's, and there are towns where a person could get all their business done speaking only German, Czech, or Polish. While I need a place that's greener to live in, I do enjoy going back to Texas when I can (except in high summer)
4 - catalina
this story is dum pleaseee make it more INTERESTING
ur reader catalina betancourt
5 - Temple Stark
It was about Texas history. Why did you click on the link, whereever you found it?
6 - vikk
Thanks for the great review and for all the commentary. Mark, thanks in advance for buying the book. I hope you enjoy the stories and your travels. Let me know what you think.
7 - Eric Berlin
I wish I had this book when I crisscrossed Texas twice in my old Protege! Great job, Temple.
This book review has been selected for Advance.net. You’ll be able to find this and other Blog Critics reviews at such places at Cleveland.com’s Book Reviews column.
8 - Texas History Major
Fun book, lots of detail, useful for travel or just to soak up local flavor -- nice review, Temple!