Texas Books

I own six other cookbooks and often my girlfriend has told me just use this one. Pyles is a mastermind. Elaborate but easy to follow recipes. Deep history and personal experiences make this not just a cookbook but a Texas experience. Some favorites are Smoke Pheasant Salad with Texas Goat Cheese, Whole Wheat Tortillas, Barbequed Duck Tacos and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. You can not miss with this book!!

Hell yeah! This is what Texas cuisine is all about. If you like Rick Bayless or Jane Butel, then you will definitely be impressed by this book. The recipes are complex and rewarding as Stephan creates dishes that are both original and traditional. Best thing is that he insists on using native southwestern ingredients in all his recipes. Mas tequila, baby!

Once you have tried a single recipe from Stephan Pyles' "The New Texas Cuisine," you will undoubtebly be starstruck by the culinary brilliance that Mr. Pyles brings forth through his creative dishes that blend the flavors of Mexico, France, Tex-Mex cuisine, and Barbeque into savory meals. Like other well known Southwestern chefs such as Mark Miller (owns Coyote Cafe) and Dean Fearing (owns The Promenade), Chef Pyles uses many ingredients that are native to his Texas area. This results in authentic tastes that trully match the title, "The New Texas Cuisine." If you are familiar with the work of Chef Miller, Chef Fearing, or the great Mexican tastes of Rick Bayless, dive into Chef Pyles' Southwestern odyssey. This book will satiate the most avid fans of Southwestern cuisine.

This engaging collection of letters provides a vivid personal reaction to life on the southernmost frontier of Texas during the four years following the Mexican War, first in Matamoros during the American occupation, and subsequently at Fort Brown, Brazos de Santiago, and Point Isabel. The principal corresondent is Helen Ellsworth Blair Chapman, the intelligent, compassionate, spirted, and devoted wife of West point-educated Captain William Warren Chapmen, U. S. Army quartermaster at Matamoros and later at Fort Brown and Corpus Christi. He too is represented in the correspondence, but it is through Helen's New Englander eyes, principally in letters to her mother in Westfield, Massachusetts, that we see life in the Lower Rio Grande.

The compiler/editor, a great great grandson of the Chapmans, seems to have chosen wisely among the largesse of the Chapman Family Papers deposited in the Barker Texas History Center.

Thanks to the preservation of this splendid collection and to Caleb Coker's judicious efforts in assembling these letters, both the general reader and the historian have access to an enjoyable, enlightening account of a distinctive frontier experience. Rarely do private letters possess the literary grace, the intelligent observations of new surroundings and acquaintances, and the warmth of family relationships on display in this volume, resulting in a welcome addition to the limited body of published material on the history of the Lower Rio Grande.

Letters stored in an attic for nearly a century and a half are the subject of a fascinating book edited by the letter writer's great-great grandson.

Caleb Coker, an attorney in Jacksonville, Fla., took on the task of preserving New Englander Helen Chapman's voluminous correspondence from the Texas frontier, where she lived with her husband, William, a West Pointer who built Fort Brown and helped found Brownsville.

The News from Brownsville is more than just good reading. Coker has done a fine job of combining the letters with newspaper accounts of the day to create a chronicle of the frontier experience and a portrait of an exceptional woman.

When Helen Chapman left her home in Massachusetts to join her husband after a two-year separation while he participated in the Mexican War, she also left behind (with her mother) her 8-year-old son, Willie, whom she would not see for 20 months. This was a great hardship, but life on the south Texas frontier was too unsettled for a child. For the first six months after Helen landed at Brazos Santiago in January 1848, the Chapmans lived in Matamoros, Mexico. At war's end, they moved across the Rio Grande, where Major Chapman built Fort Brown; it was a primitive home, but the community quickly developed and Helen worked hard for the establishment of Brownsville's first Protestant church in 1850.

Live on the edge of civilization transformed Helen from a woman of privilege who had never had to think much about social concerns to one who was right smack in the middle of them: violence, poverty, intemperance and its results, disease, war, racism, slavery, the ravages of weather and the lack of educational and religious facilities. She wrote about them and she worked hard for change, soliciting funds from Northern friends for schools. She is now credited as the first Anglo to demand civil rights for Mexicans living in Texas. She also defined racism in modern terms as "as dreary hatred (to) be subdued between men who are now living side-by-side as citizen! s of a common republic."

Coker's narrative notes placing the letters in their historical contex and appendices containing profiles of those whose paths crossed the Chapman's and excerpts from newspaper articles are particularly helpful.

Helen Chapman is a woman every reader will be glad to have met, and her correspondence captures a time and place with great clarity.

Helen Chapman's letters provide an interesting and fascinating personal story of an army wife in deep south Texas at the end of the Mexican War. Written primarily to her parents in Massachusetts, the correspondence covers a four-year period and details the domestic, social, and official life that she experienced as the spouse of Captain William Chapman, a U.S. Army quartermaster who exercised important responsibilities in Matamoros, Fort Brown, and the coastal ports of Isabel and Brazos Santiago. Although Helen Chapman does not provide the particulars of her husband's military duties, she sketches an outline of his activities as the army left Mexico and established military posts immediately north of the Rio Grande. The most absorbing aspects of the letters are Chapman's descriptions of the land, the people, and the border life and culture of the south Texas frontier. The depiction of her personal and family life round out this story, revealing a remarkable and intelligent woman who adapted easily to the country and enjoyed the surprises that it provided.

This work contributes useful insights for both military and social historians. The letters that deal with the United States's military withdrawal from Mexico provide bits of interesting information regarding Captain Chapman's role as defacto mayor of Matamoros as well as his responsibilties in moving equipment and supplies across the river and building Fort Brown. It is also interesting to note that Captain Chapman's duties required him and his wife to travel regularly between Fort Brown and the Gulf coast and to maintain homes in both locations.

Military historians will also find interesting the mention of individual military personnel who visited the Chapman home and about whom Helen Chapman commented. Equally interesting are her observations about Mexican military officers Mariano Arista, commandant of Matamoros and later president of Mexico, and Francisco Avalos,also commandant of Matamoros.

Chapman's letters are a rich treasure t! rove for social and family historians. She comments extensively on subjects ranging from diet and religion to temperance and the social customs and mores of the Mexican borderlanders. A faith in the benefits of education inspired her campaign for both Sunday and regular schools. Her attempts to deal with the guilt caused by the separation from her young son, who remained with her parents in Massachusetts, is evident in much of the early correspondence, as is the joy and pride that she felt in him once the youngster joined the family in south Texas. Letters relating to her own pregnancy and her bout with the dreaded cholera reveal attitudes about mid-nineteenth-century medical problems and their treatment. The social problems of children and family are also emphasized when the Chapmans, at the behest of a Mexican man, "adopt" his daughter and then give her up when the father demands her return.

[T]his work provides a fascinating and riveting account of a four-year period in one woman's life.

Tired of listening to all your friends and coworkers talk about how much fun they have playing Texas Hold'Em. I was, but not knowing how to play kept me from going to any games. I saw this book on line and decided to give it a try. The book was great !!! Very easy to read and gave me all the basic rules and strategies. I went to my first game last weekend and came in second place !!!! Now I can't wait to play again. Don't miss out on the fun.

This book is terrific for newcomers to the Texas Hold 'em scene. Everything you need is right here in an easy to follow layout. The book is designed for both the novice and the more experienced player. I found that once I had read the book I could easily go back and find the section that I was interested in. The strategy sections are particularly helpful. I found the advice on when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em especially good.

No Limit Fun is a must-have book for learning how to play Texas Hold'em poker. It teaches you everything you need to know to play this exciting game. I actually won my first tournament after reading the book! If you want to learn to play the game, or try your hand at hosting your own poker party, you gotta get this book!

I never imagined that two subjects so seemingly dull could be brought to life with such incisive and telling limericks. Mr James' humor made this jaded golfer's wife want nothing more than to smack a few balls in Texas.

In all of his books, Joe James' astute powers of observation enable him to capture the ideosyncracies of the Texas psyche with intelligence and humor, and the illustrations are always priceless. This book is certainly no exception, it ranks as one of my favorites! Texans, golfers, and anyone familiar with both will be delighted; strangers to the Lone Star State will want to catch the next plane down to see for themselves. An absolute joy to read!

Don't be fooled into believing that this is just another golf book or another book about Texas. This book says so much more about the human condition than any other cartoon or limerick book I've ever read. James is an astute observer and a masterful artist and this may well be his greatest achievment yet.

This is one of the most gorgeous books you'll come across--every aspect is beautifully thought out. The bird paintings by the Gentlings are breathtaking--and often offer a little sly humor in their composition. Treat yourself or another bird lover.

When Of Birds and Texas was first published in 1986 it was quickly deemed the most magnificent book in the history of Texas publishing. Consisting of 40 exquisitely detailed bird portraits and ten Texas landscape scenes, the volume was enhanced with accompanying commentary by the Gentling brothers and a personal essay by John Graves.

Yet the 23" by 29 ½" outsize folio which weighed 46 pounds was beyond the reach and shelf space of many. Thus, it was printed as a limited edition. Now, for the first time, this unparalleled volume is available to a mass audience at an affordable price and manageable size while retaining the original 50 color plates as well as 28 remarques. Retaining the integrity of the original folio, this is truly a work of estimable quality and a collector's item.

In addition, the recent edition offers a new essay by Stuart Gentling, "Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us," in which he relates how the brothers' profound respect for the famed ornithologist/artist paved the way for them to create this book, which is inspired by Audubon's work.

The Gentlings are twin brothers, artists, authors, and lecturers based in Fort Worth. Having discovered at an early age the print edition of John James Audubon's Birds of America, they now share a passion for art, world culture and wildlife.

His keen interest in wildlife, particularly birds, led Stuart to learn taxidermy. Both brothers began a serious study of art when they were 14. Their awards are numerous; their paintings may be found in museums and libraries throughout Texas and the United States. This year Scott received a commission to paint a portrait of President George Bush for the Texas State Capitol dome.

Artwork in Of Birds and Texas is created collaboratively by the Gentlings. In the original folio are reproductions of watercolor paintings with the color, blend and atmosphere attributed to Stuart, while the line and small strokes were contributed by Scott.

Getting the first volume published proved to be a formidable task. Plans reached a standstill when it was discovered that the actual production of the folio would cost more than double the estimates. What rescued the project was a lucky find by Stuart in the Philadelphia Print Shop catalog: a listing of Audubon's "The Great Crow Blackbird." The brothers were able to purchase the Audubon for $18,000. After its authentication as an original Audubon, it was sold at Sotheby's for $253,000. Thus, the completion of the original Of Birds and Texas was made possible.

Our loss would be great had this not been so. More than just a work of incredible visual beauty Of Birds and Texas is a joy to read as each color plate is partnered with a bird tale by the Gentlings.

A treasure in itself, the essay by beloved Texas author John Graves is as gracefully written as the classic works for which he is known, From A Limestone Ledge: Some Essays and Other Ruminations About Country Life In Texas, and Goodbye To A River. Once again, Mr. Graves writes with trenchant luminosity.

This landmark volume is dedicated to John James Audubon. It is now recreated for all to enjoy.

- Gail Cooke

This book has received an Award of Excellence from the 2001 Southern Books Competition. "You could not find a lovelier title page spread than that in Of Birds and Texas. The sensitive calligraphy and the well-designed two-column text pages support the stunning bird prints." Congratulations to the authors, designer Ellen McKie and the University of Texas Press.

Wildlife managers, landowners, hunters and anyone else interested in ensuring bobwhites thrive on their property will find Dr. Fred Guthery's newest book, On Bobwhites, an invaluable resource.

The man known as "Mr. Bobwhite" has all the bases covered in his latest publishing endeavor. On Bobwhites provides a wealth of information in a single volume. If you could only have one book on the bobwhite quail, this should be that book. It is extremely well organized into four sections containing 55 short chapters, making it easy to check the table of contents and find reference to most any question on quail.

Wildlife managers, landowners, hunters and anyone else interested in ensuring bobwhites thrive on their property will find Dr. Fred Guthery's newest book, On Bobwhites, an invaluable resource.

The man known as "Mr. Bobwhite" has all the bases covered in his latest publishing endeavor. On Bobwhites provides a wealth of information in a single volume. If you could only have one book on the bobwhite quail, this should be that book. It is extremely well organized into four sections containing 55 short chapters, making it easy to check the table of contents and find reference to most any question on quail.

The book covers a variety of topics relating to bobwhites. Dr. Guthery does an excellent job of showing that many of the myths proposed about bobwhites are not backed up by any facts. The writing is not at a technical level, so the book is easily read and understood by a variety of audiences. A must for any quail enthusiest!

Not your typical "hook and bullet" writer, Kathy takes her reader deep into a search for her spiritual self. If you are looking for a more how-to, where-to approach to the wonderful waters of the Laguna Madre, you'll probably be happier with one of Phil Shook's excellent guidebooks. If, however, you would like to witness the growth of a fisherman, in terms of both technical prowess and spiritual awareness of the world around them, grab this little number and dive right in.
By the end of "the Spiritual Journey" you may find, as I did, that Kathy has vocalized much of what we feel when we wander in the wild places and talk to God.

I just finished this book and it is going to take a couple of days before a can finally put my finger on a suitable response. The eloquence and grace that have blessed my days this past week have been penned by a masterful artist. Kathy's passion and her yearnings are vividly reflected off the shimmering surface of the Mother Lagoon. A blessing for all to read, fly fishermen or not, and a must for all women. "on the Mother Lagoon" captures the essence of the spirit involved in life itself and with it Kathy has solicited my tears, laughter and many smiles.

I marvel at Kathy's ability in the kitchen, on the water, at her computer and beside Scott all of which I've come to know.

On The Mother Lagoon: Fly Fishing And The Spiritual Journey by Katy Sparrow combines her "one woman" adventure in learning how to fly fish on the Lower Laguna Madre of south Texas, with meditations on women's psychology and spirituality. With practical tips on how to choose the best rod, fly, and line, techniques for reading the water and wading stealthily, as well as thoughtful ponderings on embracing life and the joy of the catch, On The Mother Lagoon brings together a blended and highly recommended treatise on the love of fishing and the human desire to look beyond oneself.

To a 10-year-old Hispanic boy growing up poor in an El Paso barrio in the 1950s, life can seem idyllic: you come home from school and mom is always there, making tortillas for the evening meal; dad is the strongest man you know; and everything you could ever want in a best friend lives right next door. You seemingly have everything you need under your family's rented roof until the day your parents tell you you're moving out of the only place you've known as home for a "better" life in another part of town.

Arriving in the new neighborhood, everything isn't really what it seems. Yes, the beautiful house is there with its light brown brick walls, white wooden columns on a porch, and a swing hanging from two chains in the ceiling, but there's also an Anglo family living inside! Unbeknownst to everyone, "Pop" has made a deal to rent out the formal house to an Army family, and have his family live in the subterraneo (basement) while he strives to build an apartment that will one day house the clan--all in the name of economics.

Carlos Nicolas Flores has made this interestingly unique premise the foundation of his debut novel, "Our House on Hueco," a coming-of-age young adult fiction tale told through the voice of 10-year-old Junior, who must come to grips with a world he didn't know existed outside what he felt were the relatively safe confines of his barrio.

Junior quickly learns that the move has not only brought about a new home, but also a new way of looking at family members and friends, and causes him to question a belief system instilled in him by his Puerto Rican father that the United States is the land of opportunity if one is willing to work hard and make sacrifices.

Throughout the novel, Flores explores themes of racism, poverty, and the complexities of human nature in a family that is struggling to claim a part of the American dream while seemingly not wanting to let go of parental birth lands, customs and cultures, especially when mom, who hails from Mexico, comes into contact with "los gringos."

Flores, a co-founding director of the South Texas Writing Project and a winner of the Chicano/Latino Literary Prize, boldly lays bare his perception regarding the nuances of Hispanic patriarchy by making his father figure macho beyond what most non-Hispanics would deem acceptable or even realistic. Then he carefully peels back the layers of Latin male stereotypical behavior to reveal a man who ultimately only wants to do what's best for his family.

While "Our House on Hueco" is written for young adults, it tells a quintessential story that transcends generations and racial divides. It is gritty in substance, yet amusing and alluring when it needs to be, and nostalgically familiar to anyone who grew up in the `50s without losing readers who are living their teen-age years in the 21st century. Flores has expertly woven a tale that deserves a wide audience and a prominent place on your bookshelf, reserved for works you're proud to say you've read.

This book can touch readers at all ages. Carlos Flores captures the essence of Mexican-American and Puerto Rican culture beautifully. I laughed, cried, and grew along with all the characters in the book. Growing up, I shared a smiliar experience as my father built large two story house that we later split into three smaller apartments in order to afford living there. For fifteen years we were crammed into that tiny space and felt just as Rafa and Junior must've felt living in the subterráneo. I will most definetely use this book with my students as I know that they too can relate to many of the experiences the characters shared.I am confident that this book holds the ability to help young readers rekindle their love for literature. I highly recommend this book and hope to see it put on the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults list. Include this book in your personal library; you will not be disappointed.

Thank you Carlos Flores for making Laredo proud.

The childhood world of 1950's El Paso is opened, and the mystery of the adult world, brought to life in Our House on Hueco. Carlos Flores imbues his hero, Junior with a childhood full of joy, and wonder. Junior's childhood eyes begin to see the world of prejudice, racial tension, and the cross cultural marriage of his mother, from Mexico, and his father from Puerto Rico. Yet through it all, a tale of courage, of hope, of redemption, of healing between Junior's family, and the Anglo neighbors upstairs, unfolds. A must read to understand the glory and grace, and the tension and tragedy of the border of the United States and Mexico, the power of the Mexican American dream, and the transcendant hope the touches each of our lives. I highly recommed this book to any lover of family stories, and lovers of the southwest.

This is the kind of bio that should be written about every important film director. Simmons is just detached enough to be objective, but not cold and removed so as to miss the color and flavor of this remarkable man. Highly reccommended for all interested in films - not just Peckinpah geeks.

Someone should get this guy to do a series of books on directors.

This is one of the first and best Peckinpah's biographies. Written a few years before his death but with a new preface and postscript it is a superb account about the life and films of Sam Peckinpah. Garner Simmons talked to many friends, family, actors and producers to make this a wonderful readable experience.If you are in the films of Sam Peckinpah get this book!

Peckinpah, written by Garner Simmons and published by the Universtity of Texas Press in 1982,is a no-nonsense, non-opinionated look at the life and work of director Sam Peckinpah. The first few chapters are devoted to his early life: parents, childhood, growing up, early TV work, etc. The rest of the book is presented in a movie-by-movie format, with one chapter being devoted to each film. The chronological discussion of each film pays great attention to detail form pre to post production. Lots of good insight from cast and crew members help make this book really special! There is little info on Peckinpah's final film, "The Osterman Weekend", as it had not been released at the time of this book's publication. The book is dedicated to the memory of Jerry Fielding, the extremely talented composer who worked with Peckinpah on several films.

This is my favorite gardening book, and the one that gave me the courage to start ripping out the grass and planting ornamentals. I've referred to it so often, the binding is now loose. Welch's vast experience with plants that can stand up to sometimes-brutal Southern conditions is invaluable. Exceedingly helpful general and specific information on a large variety of plants to brighten your landscape.

One of the best book's on Texas gardening.

You will enjoy the many discoveries this book has to offer and it is beautifully illustrated with a color photograph and planting recommendations for every plant. I cannot recommend a better book for a Houston or Gulf Coast gardener, either expert or new comer, and I have read them all! It focuses on plants that truly do well HERE. It skips azaleas, hybrid roses, tulips and all the other fussy plants pushed by the local nurseries do great anywhere but here. Instead it offers beautiful and underused (and for the most part - EASY) alternatives.