Whether it was the authors' intent, one surprising aspect that comes across in the book is the interconnectedness of people from other countries and how that has shaped Texas. Two summaries illustrate this. The authors' describe the Alamo (remember?), and a Japanese man's appreciation of its defense:
"When Professor Shigetaka Shiga, a Waseda University professor in Tokyo, was a boy, he had read the story of the Battle of the Alamo and the heroism of the Alamo's defenders. He had also read of the famous Japanese Battle of Nagashino that took place near his birthplace centuries before and noted the similarities between the two battles." (pg. 129)
The monument that he requested and commissioned to place at the Alamo in 1914 is made from a slab of granite from the Nagoshino battlefield.
Another illustration of the cosmopolitan veins of even the smallest town, is Bandera, pop. 877. The site of Spanish militaristic explorers and Indian battles is also home to one of the oldest Polish communities in the United States and, the authors say, the second oldest Polish church in America. Sixteen Polish families settled in Bandera to operate the cypress shingle mill. It's now the self-described "Cowboy Capital of the World," hosts rodeos throughout the summer and no doubt has more cattle than people.
Texas is the second biggest state, the 28th to join the Union and cannot be typecast as big-city oilmen running roughshod. In many areas it continues to lead the world and, of course, history is made every single day. Someone writes about it daily. Someone will write about it 40 years from now. Or, much more likely, it will be known by a few or entirely forgotten.
After reading this book, you won't feel like you've been through Texas, but you will feel like you want to. It is the sense of being there that is important, the authors tell us. There's always something "in the air."
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!