Book Talk

Highlighting Our Texana Collection

Discover the expanding Texana collection at the UPPL!  Housed in the farthest corner of our Library, the Texana section has all things Texas: history, biographies, fiction, true crime, guidebooks, nature, cookbooks, and more.  The collection can help scholars research any aspect of Texas culture, curious gardeners identify native trees, or armchair readers find a good Texas yarn. We hope the following list of selected titles from our Texana collection will encourage you to browse this cozy corner of our Library. The Dewey classification number is listed next to each entry so you can easily find it on the shelf.

History:

• From a Watery Grave: The Discovery and Excavation of La Salle’s Shipwreck, La Belle by James E. Bruseth and Toni S. Turner.* (917.641) This recently published book tells the exciting story of the excavation and salvage of the sailing ship that ran aground in Matagorda Bay over three hundred years ago.
• Ft. Worth Then and Now by Carol Roark.* (976.453) With archival and contemporary photographs, this study looks at Ft. Worth’s frontier roots, historical preservation efforts, and recent redevelopment projects.
• With Santa Anna in Texas by Jose Enrique de la Pena. Translated and edited by Carmen Perry.* (976.403) A controversial book when originally published, this account, written by an officer on Santa Anna’s staff, adds a different perspective to the story of the Texas Revolution.
• Trail Drivers of Texas: Interesting sketches of early cowboys and their experiences on the range and on the trail. Compiled and edited by J. Marvin Hunter.* (978.02) These narratives relay the life of excitement and hardship that cowboys experienced on the cattle drives in the days between the Civil War and the turn of the century.
• Tejano Empire: Life on the South Texas Ranchos by Andres Tijerina.* (976.411) Residents of South Texas longer than any Anglos, the Tejano pioneers in the period between 1836 and 1886 forged a society that has retained its language and cultural loyalties.

Biography:

• Indomitable Sarah: The Life of Judge Sarah T. Hughes by Darwin Payne.* (B HUG) A leading Democrat in Texas politics, the diminutive Ms. Hughes became the first woman District Judge in Texas and later a Federal District Judge. She used her determination as a lifelong champion of rights for women and minorities.
• Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro. (B JOH) Book three of the political biography of Lyndon B. Johnson covers the years 1949-1960 during which he became a powerhouse in the Senate and triumphed in his efforts to pass civil rights legislation.
• Ten Minutes from Normal by Karen Hughes. (973.931) As Presidential aide to George W. Bush, Ms. Hughes writes about her life in Washington, D.C. juggling a hectic work schedule and family priorities.
• Lorenzo de Zavala: the pragmatic idealist by Margaret Sweet Henson.* (B ZAV) This biography tells the story of a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first Vice-President of the Republic of Texas.
• Women Pioneers in Texas Medicine by Elizabeth Silverthorne.* (610.976) Readers with be inspired by these stories of women who overcame great odds to pursue a career in their chosen field. 

Guidebooks:

• Quick Escapes: Dallas/Fort Worth by June Naylor. (917.642) Twenty-three weekend getaways will help you discover a variety of unique Texas places.  The book includes suggestions for activities as well as tips on lodging and eating along the way.
• Antiquing in North Texas by Ron and Caryl McAdoo. (381.457) This guide covers antique shops, malls, and flea markets in our region.  Establishments are rated for quality, quantity, and price.
• Texas Cemeteries: the resting places of famous, infamous, and just plain interesting Texans by Bill Harvey.* (929.502) Cemeteries in every region of Texas are described with profiles of some of the noteworthy people buried in them. Cemetery locations are organized alphabetically by city.
• How to Start a Business in Texas.  Entrepreneur Press. (658.11) Designed for entrepreneurs, this guidebook includes state and federal specifics for starting a business, suggestions for developing a business plan, and tips for operating your business once you have completed the start-up phase.

Nature: 

• Trees of Texas: an easy guide to leaf identification by Carmine A. Stahl. (582.16) This volume has life-sized leaf, flower, and fruit images for over 200 species.
• Plants of the Metroplex by J. Howard Garrett. (635.987) Text and pictures in this popular book will help new and experienced gardeners learn about the best varieties to plant in our area.
• A Field Guide to Spiders & Scorpions of Texas by John A. Jackman. (595.44) This award-winning book identifies many of the 900 species of spiders in Texas as well as related groups of arachnids such as scorpions and ticks.
• Birds of Texas by John L. Tveten. (598.297) A comprehensive guide to over one thousand species, this volume will help both experienced and beginning birders enjoy the diversity of the bird life in Texas.
• Texas Earthquakes by Cliff Frohlich and Scott Davis* (551.22) Earthquakes do occur in Texas and this book, written by seismologists, explains what causes earthquakes and how they are measured, and documents the history of earthquakes in Texas.

Culture:

• Texas Cowboy Cooking by Tom Perini. (641.597) Readers will discover authentic Texas fare in these recipes from the Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap.
• New Tastes from Texas by Stephan Pyles. (641.597) The author, a native of Big Spring and a chef acclaimed for his innovative recipes, takes readers on a culinary tour to showcase the latest in Texas cuisine.
• Texas Flags by Robert Maberry, Jr.* (929.92) Using folklore and color illustrations of the early Texas banners, this book traces the history of the Lone Star symbol.
• Dictionary of Texas Artists 1800-1945. Compiled by Paula L. Grauer and Michael R. Grauer.* (709.2) This volume contains biographical and exhibition information on 2500 Texas artists and includes 157 color plates.
• Singin’ Texas by Francis Edward Abernethy. (784.497) Here’s an opportunity to sing along! This book contains both the music and words for traditional songs of Texas folk music. 

*Acquired with funds from a grant by The Summerlee Foundation.

Previously in Book Talk: Medical Reference Books

  August 2005