Texas Books

This is more of a guide to living in Austin than traveling in Austin, although I imagine it would be helpful for the latter as well. Even though it's out-of-date, it gave me a great sense of the different neighborhoods and hang-outs when I moved to Austin. Thank God for guides that are subjective and tell it like it is, not read like the venue paid for product placement.
I wish they'd make a new version -- a lot of the places listed are closed or have moved. Still, it gives you a sense of place better than ANY book of its kind, with the possible exception of the NFT series for New York, Boston & SF. In fact, the Edge guide doles out information kind of like a prehistoric NFT.

This is by far the best travel guide I've come across for ANY city. Finally a travel guide that doesn't seem to be written by a tourist. My only complaint is that Edge Guides can't be found in more cities.

I have lived in Austin for 5 months now, and still find that I carry this book around with me and use it to guide me around the city. I think the highest compliment for this book is the fact that friends of mine who have glanced through it find it to be right on target as to what is worth visiting. And these are Austin natives. It is especially useful in helping us who choose not to partake in the whole "fraternity/college" nightlife and hang out with the rest of the music geeks on 6th street. The best investment I made before moving down here!

It is a great book. It lack grammatical explanations, but it does provide phrases on many subjects, often those you won't find in phrasebooks (e.g. conversations with ranchers on their work). I think not only it may give you specialist vocabulary, but can be a good introduction to conversational language.

I was a Spanish major in college, but would honestly have no idea how to express myself in a lot of real-life situations to be encountered in the backcountry. So this guide helped me brush up on some of my "practical" Spanish for an upcoming trip to the Sierra Madre, Sonora and Chihuahua. You would probably be better off knowing some basic Spanish before messing with this guide, but it's not 100% essential. The authors use dialogues with topical themes, like "Can I cross your land?" or "Hey, my truck broke down". The dialogues and vocabulary lists highlight colloquial Mexican usage and point out some backcountry "linguistic etiquette" (like addressing people as "amigo" instead of "señor", which is perfectly acceptable in the backcountry). The vocabulary lists here are also great, with a bunch of practical terms arranged thematically.

This isn't just a phrasebook, though. It's also a guide to the practicalities of getting around and enjoying the backcountry and how to behave in situations that most city-hopping tourists just don't encounter. A lot of rural Mexicans (in places like inland Chihuahua, for example) rarely meet tourists and are often offended by arrogant or just plain ignorant gringos who don't necessarily mean offense. This guide addresses some issues like how to ask for permission to cross somebody's land or what to do if you need to ask directions from a woman if the man of the house isn't around. It's also just generally a useful "how to" guide to hiking and camping in rural Mexico.

Great book. Worth taking with you.

Although I speak spanish fairly well, I do not know many of the more technical terms. When my truck broke down in the middle of the Chiapas, I did not know how to begin to tell the mechanic that I finally located what was wrong and what I needed to fix it.

Without the helpful technical phrases abundant in this book, it would have taken me much longer to find the tools and equipment that I needed to repair my vehicle.

I highly recommend it to anyone traveling in the outback in Spanish-speaking countries.

Jimmy's writing gets better with each book. This one does not disappoint---it's fast paced and as he might have put in his own wonderful words...BY GOD GOOD. Wonderful read. This is not pulp western folks. If you like good westerns, don't miss this one.

I just finished reading J. Lee Butts' book, A Bad Day to Die, the adventures of Lucius "By God" Dodge, Texas Ranger. What a book! Butts is an exceptional writer, has an unusual gift for clever dialog, and is one who flat out knows how to tell a tall Western tale properly.
The book picks up on Lucius Dodge as an old man talking to an old Ranger partner, and then flashes back to one of the craziest, meanest, bloodiest, nastiest cases Dodge and his partner Boz Tatum ever worked on...the Nightshade murders. The two young Texas Rangers, tough, smart, hard working honest fellows are sent to Sweetwater, Texas, a town terrorized by a big family of thugs, the notorious Nightshades.
Two different beautiful girls fall for the handsome young Ranger, Dodge, one the impetuous, sweet-kissing, straight-shooting, green-eyed Martye, sixteen year old daughter from a big, dirt poor family of farmers, and the other the pistol-packing, hard-assed, gorgeous Nance Nightshade. Dodge is no ladies man by any means, often embarrassed by the obvious attentions of these two different, but extremely attractive females.
A Bad Day to Dies isn't light reading, it's a tough book, it doesn't have fairy tale ending, it isn't a book that seems destined to be a Hollywood movie...too real for Hollywood, but what this excellent Western novel is, is historically accurate, hard-hitting, true to the flavor of time and place, and above all, interesting at every point. The deeper into the story the reader gets, the more difficult it is put this exciting book down. Told in the first person by an older and wiser Lucius Dodge, the flow of remarkable similes and metaphors is staggering, the book has the feel of one that was written and then re-written and polished over and over, and of one that was written by a real pro, a wordsmith with uncommon and serious skills. If you've never yet had the pleasure of reading J. Lee Butts, and you appreciate a good story set in the Wild West as it actually was, check out this talented writer. A Bad Day to Die is one mighty fine Western novel. Highly recommended.

I'm a big fan of westerns, and spotted this one at my local Walmart. Intriqued by the title, I decided to pick it up. I'm glad that I did. This book is what westerns should be, exciting from beginning to end. It seems to be written in the first person at the beginning, and slips seemlessly in and out from that point on. I've read a lot of westerns, but the way the author put words together painted a pretty picture. Grab this one if you see it!

Although I fancy myself a fan of her vampire and witch books, I found that I was drawn in by Maggie Shaynes family of cowboys. Could not put the books down!
Wes is the half brother of the rest of the Brands, but they never treat him like it. He has many skeletons in his closet and it is fun to watch Taylor pull them out. Very believable and well developed story line.
Thank you, Maggie Shayne!

This is a fantastic book, 3rd. in the Brand family saga. As each story is told, we learn more about the Brands, which is fabulous, but without loosing anything about the main couple in each story.

Wes is a half brother to the rest of the Brands. Their father had an affair with Wes's mother a Comanche. Wes was bought into the family by his stepmother when his own died & made to feel a part of the family. But for a long time there was something missing & that was his heritage.

Taylor, like Wes was not bought up in the way of the Comanche. She was adopted when her mother died & bought up with white Americans. Wes & Taylor learn about their heritage with a Comanche shaman, Turtle.

This is turning into one fantastic series of books the more I read each new one. Next is book 4 Ben & Penny's story in "The husband she couldn't remember".

Who of us hasn't, at one time or another, lost trust in those we love most? How we deal with that feeling of betrayal can overshadow our lives. This is the theme of Maggie Shayne's "Badland's Bad Boy"; how to trust, who to trust. Do you receive trust and then return it, or does it have to be given unconditionaly in order that it be returned? Taylor McCoy is a Comanche who was raised in a white society. Given away by her birth mother, lied to by her adoptive parents, she trusts nothing but her own gut instincts. When she is hired to excavate a Comanche site at Emerald Flat, she meets Wolf Shadow who claims to be a spirit from the past. He tells her that she is desecrating sacred ground and must stop. Wes Brand is a half-breed Comanche who has been raised by the Brands. He has become close to Turtle, an ancient shaman, and has learned from him the legend of Wolf Shadow and Little Sparrow. He has dressed as Wolf Shadow, hoping to drive Taylor McCoy from the site. But as he stays close to her, she wins his heart. Should he drive her from the site and save the land, as the old shaman has asked, or should he tell her the truth and betray his friend, Turtle? This is a beautifully, touching story of love in two realms, earth and spirit. Maggie Shayne has delved into the dark recesses of man's troubled psyche, pulling forth the emotions he conceals, exposing them to the light of truth.

Sherman brings history to life, and paints a scene the way an artist would approach a canvas. Perhaps the best of modern Western lore. Sherman is at his best in this one. A compelling story, with dimensional characters you hate to leave

In a way only Jory Sherman can fulfill, he takes you on an incredible journey, through a raging storm in the Gulf of Mexico, to settle the vast, arid, Apache stalked land of Texas. A fantastic read!

After reading Grass Kingdom, I waited for this addition to Sherman's series on a historical look at the early Texas years and found it to be another great Jory Sherman saga. The character of Martin Baron and his effort to build his own western kingdom was great. The flavor of Spain the character Miguel Fuentes added was wonderful seasoning.

Growing up in California, I became a Texan as soon as I knew better. Having missed all of the Texas history and trivia growing up, it was pure delight to read "The Bathroom Book of Texas Trivia". It's a gem for those with little nuggets of time to snatch a quick read. From the snippet about the "Pulpwood Queens of East Texas" to discovering how the Lone Star became Texas' state seal to "The Games People Play", it's a fun and informative read.

Often hilarious, intriguing, or just plain interesting fun quick facts about the Lone Star state. If you know someone who plans to visit or move to Texas (or recently arrived), this will orient them. It will also delight Texas natives and Texas ex-patriates who get homesick. Highly recommended.

I found the "Bathroom Book of Texas Trivia" a very enjoyable read. As a native Illinoisan I learned much about my adopted state of Texas. If you are a fan of trivia, or just want to learn more about the Lone Star State, you will enjoy reading this book.

This collection of stories was wonderful. Every story was different and the book features a wide range of stories and emotions. I felt transported to a different time and place.

This is a great collection of stories ranging from family tales to folktales.Among my favorite were:John Henry Faulk's "Mrs. Fanny Rollins and her fake rubber bosoms," an old celtic legend of Finn McCoul is quiet but very powerful, Jay Stailey's stories jumped off the page with humor as did Finley Stewart's four offerings.Sometimes sad, often wildly funny the book gives us a glimpse of who we all are as human beings. My husband and I keep it by the bed for a quick reread f a story every now and then.Where can I find more like this?

I found this a WONDERFUL book! The stories are new and great. Perfect for adults and children, these are great stories to read to your kids before they go to sleep. But after they do, you'll keep reading for you!

Finally a book that is an easy read and answers questions about the area of Texas known as the Big Bend. This book takes you several steps beyond the Roadside Geology of Texas book. The book has excellent maps, is well organized, and has many photographs to help you get your orientation. I also recommend a companion book that he has written about the Davis Mountains area.

I love this book! In Chapter I, Setting the Scene, MacLeod provides a concise geologic history, explaining difficult concepts in language easily accessible to the layman. The following chapters interpret the landscapes along various local routes. The maps, photos and sketches nicely complement the text. I like to read the appropriate chapter the night before a road trip and then take the book along in the car. It certainly adds interest to the trip.

Use Big Bend Vistas to get an overview of the region or just to look up that mountain that catches your eye. Easy to read descriptions of the geology with lots of pictures, illustrations and a glossary to help the average person understand and appreciate the landscape yet detailed enough for the more geologically astute. Vistas makes the trip to Big Bend National Park more fun!

I am in the process of reading the book. It is very interesting. I just bought a Black Mouth Cur puppy and the book was recommended on the American Black Mouth Cur website.

I grew up in East Texas and have lived around the Big Thicket all my life. As a child, I heard my grandfather and his brother tell tales of the bears and "panthers" they had hunted in the early 1900's. I picked this book up one afternoon and began to skim it, and I was hooked within minutes. I couldn't put it down. In the 60's and 70's the authors interviewed many older residents of the Big Thicket area, allowing the old-timers to simply relate their rememberances, from the 1860's on up into the oil boom and logging days of the early 20th century. The dialect is distinct, and the authors do a good job of conveying the pronunciation. The stories these people tell of the hardships and yet the wonder of living in a true wilderness is simply fascinating. If you have any interest in the Big Thicket area of Texas, or if you just enjoy tales of life in the "wild and wooly days", then you will certainly enjoy these stories. It's truly a wonder that these folks survived the hard life and wild animals! My wife and I were so enthralled with these stories,that we found time a few days later to drive over and visit some of the remaining thicket, near Saratoga, TX.

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by lifelong naturalists Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller, Big Thicket Legacy is a compendium of engaging and informative anecdotes about life and living in the Big Thicket country, which is a nearly impassable area of Texas territory that only a few pioneers dared to brave. In those days, only the heartiest of individuals and families could call a place within the heart of the Big Thicket home; their tales have become a part of Texas folklore, and in Big Thicket Legacy are preserved to available to the general reading public, thereby recounting a very special experienced wisdom for new generations of Texans.

It is such a pleasant escape to go to Job's Crossing, Texas, and spend a little time with Biggie and J.R., to go down to the tea room and schmooze with the patrons--maybe have a piece of chocolate pie. The plot isn't too much, as mysteries go, but who cares? The characters and the atmosphere are what a reader needs after all the bloody violence of mysteries that top the best seller lists. I'm not usually a great fan of "cozy" whodunits; still, from time to time they are the perfect antidote. Nancy Bell knows her place and people well, and I enjoy going with her.

When J.R.'s father died and his mother proved unable to care for him, Biggie took him into her heart and home in Job's Crossing. He's going to take his best friend to the school dance but before that can happen, some excitement comes to the small bucolic town. Biggie's first love, Rex Barnwell and his young wife open up a camp for overweight girls. In all good conscience, Biggie is forced to tell J.R. and Rex they are grandson and grandfather, respectively.

When the duo visit Rex, they are forced to stay overnight due to a bad storm. That same night somebody shoots and kills Rex. Biggie is determined to find out who the killer is and Officer Red Upchurch is reluctantly getting used to her involvement in homicide investigations. He encourages her to see what she can find out.

BIGGIE AND THE DEVIL DIET is the perfect cosy to snuggle up with on a cold winter's night. Biggie, her grandson, and the small Texas town where the story takes place will beguile readers. J.R. narrates the tale so everything is seen from his perspective. This makes for a pleasant change from books that are told from an adult's viewpoint.

Harriet Klausner

Nancy Bell never disappoints. This cozy muystery series is so charming, but if you haven't read the preceding books , please postpone this one until its turn comes around. You'll probably find yourself reading these books in a Texas drawl which will make the whole experience even funnier because Bell's humor is southern and her turn of phrase is just perfect. These books are such relaxing and pleasant reads that you'll hate when the last page comes. J.R., the 12 year old narrator, is well ajusted despite being taken from his mother, " a nervous type", after the death of his father who was Biggie's son. His adventures with the warm, wonderful and clever Biggie are just plain old fun. Biggie's cook/housekeeper Willie Mae and her husband Rosebud add tremendously to the stories, and Willie Mae's menus will have you drooling all over yourself. Then, of course, there's J.R.'s best friend,the spunky Monica Sontag, who only has half a head of hair because she was set too close to the fire when she was a baby. On top of all that, there are the townspeople of Job's Crossing, all of whom are diverse and quirky. This series is a real winner, and I hope it continues for a very long time.