Our Texas Heritage: Ethnic Traditions And Recipes is a truly wonderful compendium and survey of the history of Texas food culture that is the result of the combined influences and culinary legacies of thirteen unique ethnic groups ranging from early Texas settlers down to the present day. From Grandma Techa's Menudo, Dark Irish Soda Bread, and German Potato Salad, to Ukrainian Pickled Mushrooms, Kneydlakh (Matzo Balls), Kransekage (Traditional Danish Wedding Cake), and Italian Baked Eggplant, Our Texas Heritage is an outstanding testament to the rich and diverse culinary spectrum that has fed and feasted Texas for more than two hundred years.

Chicken fried steak isn't the only yummy thing served in Texas.

Ever since the Spaniards encountered the Native Americans, the opportunities in Texas have attracted people from all over the world. Many families continue to celebrate favorite traditions carried from their original homeland or culture.

Our Texas Heritage includes traditional recipes, modified for today's kitchen, that are fun and simple to follow. Just as enticing are the stories and traditions the author liberally sprinkles among the recipes.

Use the book as a travel resource when exploring the Texas highways. Discover the Polish and their customs in Panna Maria, the Wends in Serbin, or the Danes in Danevang.

As a newcomer to Texas, I found this book a delightful way to discover the diversity of my new home.

I learned so much about my _own_ heritage by reading Ms. McConachie's book. She simplifies the recipes of our grandmothers into a form that we can all use -- and the recipes are delicious! I especially enjoyed making the Danish apple cake and the Syrian-Lebanese Meat Pies. I've tasted a bit more of Texas through this book. Whether you're a history buff, cook, or one just interested in the life and food of years past, this book is for you!

Jose Lezama Lima achieved one of the most complex and mesmerizing novels of the XXth century in Latin America. Paradiso is a Bildungsroman (a novel about an individual's growing process) as it is a Kunstroman (novel about the artist). The reader will find many references to Lezama's life, but his work goes beyond a self portrait. Jose Cemi is a little cuban boy who grows up having breathing problems, and grasping the lifes of those who were before him.
His individuality mixes with the other's and the result is a complex narrator, an overwhelming amount of literary, cultural and mythological references, a refined use of the metaphor and a hightened sense of reality. Cemi's world is more than nature... it is supernatural. Cemi attends to the world of death, as he remembers the lifes of his ancestors, as they are told to him by his mother Rialta, and grandmother Augusta. The first half of Paradiso is all about the family... then uncle Alberto's death marks a point of change in the novel. From that moment on, it focuses in Cemi's friendship with two other students: Fronesis and Focion. The three of them constitute a triangle in which homosexuality, love, erotism, unity, mythology and androginy are the main topics. As well as incest.
When this simbolic triangle breaks, Cemi is ready for the epiphany: he meets Oppiano Licario: a friend of his father who promised him, as he was dying, to look after his son (Cemi). Licario also witnessed Alberto's sexual iniciation. He is a poet, and he is the one who can bring Jose Cemi out of the time of desperation into a rythm of reflection and artistic contemplation.
There is so much more to this novel... You can only know what it is all about by reading it. I can here only give you a few pieces. As Lezama believed: only what is hard is really rewarding, and this is particularly true for young people.

I would argue that Paradiso is the best novel of the 20th century. I don't believe this because of the plot; as a matter of fact, I don't really think there is much of a plot here. I say it because of factors that have to do with the author, the time in which he wrote this, and how those elements combined to make this incredible piece of literature.

A little bit of history: by the time Lezama Lima wrote this novel, he was already a well-known writer in Cuba. He and some friends had started a literary magazine, and actually, he was best known for his poetry. When Castro's revolution came to be in 1959, it marked the end of Cuba's literary life. Writers like Lezama Lima could keep writing so long as they wrote nothing controversial, nothing too "out there," nothing that could even hint a thought of anything that could be deemed "counter-revolutionary." And soon after Lezama Lima wrote Paradiso.

Now a little bit about the novel. Consider it, really, a long, endless conversation with many, many asides. It is complex if only because there are so many run-on sentences, so many thoughts and descriptions and details, that it's easy to lose track and just find yourself thinking, period. And I think that's what he was going for. The book covers just about everything: politics, ethics, philosophy, homosexuality, love, religion, etc. I thought when I read it that basically Lezama Lima just wanted to express his thoughts and opinions on everything (I later learned I was pretty correct about that, but more on that in a minute). What this brilliant man had to say is well-worth reading, even today.

But now, let's go back to the time and place when this was written. A few years after Castro came into power, and after he had declared his Communist intentions. With the publication of this novel, Lezama Lima's fate was sealed. As a homosexual man living in a country with a severely homophobic dictator, life had already been getting more and more difficult for him. But when Paradiso came out, he was officially declared "non-person" by the regime. For those unfamiliar with the concept, I will explain that being declared "non-person" essentially means just that: you cease to exist in the eyes of the government. You are erased from the history books, from the record books, you lose your job, people who visit you or have anything to do with you risk losing their government freebies and suffering reprisals. Lezama Lima was no longer a national literary treasure, and the man who up until that moment was considered one of the most respected writers in Latin America, was reduced to nothing.

I had the honor of meeting his younger sister a short while ago. She was sharing the contents of private letters between her and her brother from the years after the publication of Paradiso to those before his death. They revealed so much about Lezama Lima as a person, how he saw life, how he regarded his family (all of whom were in exile and whom he missed terribly). They reveal his gentleness, the tenderness he felt about nature, his family, his memories. And they also reveal the hell that his life had become: the loneliness, the constant vigilance, the pain he felt over what had become of his country.

Being privy to such an experience really only affirmed my thoughts about this novel. He must have known what lay in store for him, and yet it didn't stop him. He still wrote it. When the government demanded that he denounce his own book, the one he considered his masterpiece, his message to the world, in essence, he refused. It simply fills me with awe. For that alone the book is worth reading.

I was thrown a bit by the first, say, hundred or so pages of this monumental novel. What was going on with the almost unbearably baroque prose style? The author's very sentences, cluttered and clogged with obscure adjectives, parentheical asides, dangling clauses, incomprehensible imagery, seemed to be undermining the flow of his (admittedly digressive, non-linear) plot. I felt like no one was getting anywhere, which, after persevering for a few hundred more pages, I realized was the point. It would be all but impossible to synopsize this novel's central action--if you can even call it action, for, as in Proust and the Great Russian novels (which served as obvious models, it seems safe to say)--there's a lot more conversing than carrying on. There are great, chapters-long debates on homosexuality, philosophy, and politics. Evidently a voracious and learned reader, Lezama Lima seems to have tried to cram all of his knowledge into this, his one and only novel, which, again, is appropriate considering that the book itself seems to be about the totality of human existence (I'm still riddling this one out.) Once I became used to the style and to the rather lenghty debates, I realized that what I was immersed in was a masterpiece, a book as confusing, messy, overwhelming and beautiful as life itself. I can't say that every reader will warm to Paradiso--it is hard going from start to glorious finish--but I do believe that the book deserves a crtical reevaluation. Let's put it alongside not only Gabriel Garcia Maquez and Carlos Fuentes, but also Joyce, Flaubert, Tolstoy and Proust and see where it stands. I have the feeling it might be one of the more important books of the last century.

If anyone had an excuse to go into a life of crime, it was Albert Race Sample, known as Racehoss because he was interracial. The son of a prostitute and grandson of a grandfather who murdered his (Racehoss') grandmother, Albert followed his destiny and ended up in a tough Texas prison, which is darker and starker than anything I've seen in books. In fact, I agree with another reviewer who suspects that Stephen King, and perhaps others, used Sample's book as a model for their prison stories and scenes. Read this book if you're thinking about going to prison--it'll change your mind real quick.

I read this book for the first time back in 1997 and continue to find this book to be among the very best that I have ever read. Mr. Sample delivers his story in a hilarious yet touching manner. I recommend this as a must read for pretty much everyone.

In the mid 1980's I tuned into a repeat program on the local NPR affiliate in Washington D.C. Diane Rehm was the host of a repeat broadcast of an interview with the author. It was such an absolutely compelling interview with the man, now obviously (at that time) an elderly gentleman--that I had to go out right away and purchase the book. It was and still remains a book that embodies everything "Classic" literature is. King must have read this before writing "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption"--and as good a short story and subsequent movie as it was--Race Hoss:Big Emma's Boy is the ultimate real deal. Having heard the interview with the author, I am at a distinct advantage to analyze both the man and his writing. There are simply no superlatives to describe either. God Bless Albert Race Sample--thank you for a book that hopefully be filmed just as it is written. If approached honestly, it would be the finest portrayal of prison life as well as life as a young black man in the Deep South to date.

James Haley's "Sam Houston" is a study into a man's soul. Using new resources he has humanized the man and the legend. Mr. Haley has done the best possible job of getting into the head of Sam Houston and explaining his life long habits without falling into the easy trap of revisionism. As a matter of fact in my mind he is a champion of the facts, using common sense logic when faced with the incompleteness of facts that is often found in history. He often has to navigate through the propaganda of the day and connect the dots with the straight edge of reality. This is well demonstrated by the facts presented about the biggest Sam Houston mystery of all, why his marriage with Miss Eliza Allen failed. You will have to read the book to find the answers.
Easy to read for the casual reader, well noted for the serous researcher. James Haley's "Sam Houston" is a great read.

Sam Houston is a figure who aroused great passions beginning in his own day and continuing to the present. Jim Haley's well written biography, supported by fifteen years of research in original archives not available (or used) by past researchers, joins the ranks of major works on this interesting figure. The book should join the library of anyone interested in the Texas Revolution and its heroes. With impressive scholarship, the book is well written and enjoyable to read. A major achievement, worth the wait.

This is one of the most awesome books I have ever read! I didn't want to put it down! This is a wonderful biography for a history buff or just a person curious in learning about the life of one of this nation's greatest leaders! Great buy!

I'm a botanist/naturalist, and a botanical collector from North Central Texas. I find the Illustrated Flora of NC Texas invaluable to anyone who wants to learn about plants of their region and their ecosystems, plant communities, etc. The book has an excellent introduction, over 70 pages along, to introduce you to nomenclature, toxic and exotic plants, endangered and threatened plants, geology, climate, etc. It also includes excellent information on some of the history of Texas botanists. It is a must for any naturalist or botanist, and a bargain for a book with over 1600 pages!

As a student of Rangeland Ecology at Texas A&M University, I have used this book extensively to identify numerous plants for my classes, as well as my own collection. This book is very precise and the line drawings on each plant are invaluable. It is well worth the price for this plant "Bible."

I am a botanist and have a collection of many books on floras. I am currently working on a flora of Northeast Alabama and using the Flora of Texas (1999) as the standard to follow.

Terry Thompson-Anderson has produced a marvelous collection of Texas recipes, beautiful photos of food and scenery from around the Lone Star state, and a wonderful contribution to the exciting new Texas cuisine that is sweeping the southwest and beyond. As a native Texan I found the book not only a delight to the eyes, but a wondrous and far-ranging assortment of recipes with ingredients and influences from all over the state. Of special note are such heady entrees as the "Slow-Smoked Quail on Savory Bread Pudding withThree-Chili Sauce" (using Scamorza Cheese from the Mozzarella Company in Dallas) and the "Grilled Medallions of Venison Backstrap with Ancho Chili and Honey Sauce" - fabulous! Throughout there are wine recommendations from the growing number of Texas wineries; definitions of cooking terms and ingredients; and a "Texas Cook's Pantry" telling where to find hard-to-get ingredients. Texas on the Plate is a delight to use and a pleasure to read.

The recipes are wonderful and the book itself full of gorgeous photos, drawings and, in general, just wonderfully produced. I'm buying several for Christmas gifts for out-of-state relatives and friends. I'm new to the state and this is a fabulous introduction to the food and customs.

Definitely goes "beyond bbq and chili" to wonderful fusion of the traditional and the most up-to-date. You will not be sorry you bought this.

This is a beautiful cookbook! Even if you have lived in Texas your whole life, you will see places you haven't glimpsed. Having been born in Texas and raised on the variety of foods available here, I love how these recipes take it to a higher level. The recipes are perfect...though not always easy, they are always worthy of the effort. I made the cover dish first thing and got raves from all who ate it. I love the way she pairs the Texas wines with each meal. And she tells so much about Texas...research well done!

I received a copy from my cousin who assisted in the book's production. I was quite impressed with the contents of the recipes. The stories and anecdotes were warm, charming, and helpful to a novice cook. I tried several recipes that I never thought I would attempt, yet they were very easy to follow. I introduced "Texas Ties" to my mother, who promptly had to have a copy. Good job, Houston!

Texas Ties is a great read and a must have for cookbook collectors. The family stories are all very warm and include some cooking tips I haven't seen anywhere else. The Comfort Foods section is unique. The recipes include all fresh ingredients - upscale recipes for the ordinary cook. Every recipe has turned out great.

My mother-in-law gave me this book, and I have loved everything I've made from it. I made the white gazpacho for a wedding shower, the white chocolate/blackberry cookies and the "drunken brie" for a baby shower, and the jalapeno potatoes au gratin for a potluck. Most of the recipes have only a few, not-too-exotic ingredients. The cooking instructions are easy to follow. I highly recommend this book, even for the beginning cook.

A interesting Texas history lesson, this book was recommended by a local Texas historian from the Haley Library and Museum. Very enjoyable if you want more than just a history about Sam Houston, this is a Texas/Mexico history mini-lesson as well. The book tells the story of Sam Houston's life including his: Tennessee Governorship, ties to President Andrew Jackson, role as General of Armies and Malitias, tenure as President of the Republic of Texas, role as United States Senator and Governorship of the State of Texas.

Marquis James shows why he won more than one Nobel prize for historical writing. In this book he takes you through the entire life of Sam Houston, giving the reader an insight on the events of Houston's earlier life that shaped his actions in the founding of the Texas Republic. Until reading this book, I had no idea just how important Sam Houston was to the history of not just Texas, but the entire United States.

I read this book because it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1930, but it stands with any more recently written biography. Sam Houston had a fantastically interesting life, and if you haven't read a bio of him you will be amazed. I recommend this book without reservation.

This book is very handy when searching the back roads for interesting information, buildings, history, etc. of Texas.
I ordered the book as "used" at a substantial savings over the "new" price. The book is actually a new copy of the 3rd Edition. There is now a 4th edition out, and that is probably the reason for the price. The book is full of places I intend to visit that I had no idea existed before.

Shipping from the vendor (Ed Marks) was extremely timely, and I was happy with the condition of the book when it arrived.

If you're planning to travel at all throughout the Lone Star State, this book will be an indispensable guide for your travels.

Sure, we can all find Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, but what about the 11 foot roadrunner in Fort Stockton? Or the statue of Popeye in Crystal City? During the winter you can see migrating bald eagles on Lake Buchanan (where?), and the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is the only place in the United States where you can see a Chachalaca.

If you have a destination in mind, this book will tell you about the attractions and oddities nearby (and Texas has oddities!). If you're undecided about where to go, the book can provide a fun and informative itinerary.

Being Texans by choice, my wife and I frequently take trips around the state. Texas is full of natural beauty and interesting sights. This book helps you fully use and enjoy your time with Texas.

June Naylor Rodriguez's 2nd Edition of Texas: Off the beaten Path is not only a book of travel excursions, but also includes Texas trivia and tidbits of Texas history. My favorite part of the book is a chapter called Wildest West Texas. Using the recommendations in the book, my husband and I enjoyed a part of Texas we had always wanted to see and probably would not have known of all the local places to visit had it not been for Rodriguez's suggestions. Without the book we would not have known where to go or what to see. If we had done the Big Bend without this book, I doubt that we would have seen all that we did. Hats off to June Naylor Rodriguez.

I was so inspired by this book, that I used it to plan a one week gastronomic vacation in Texas. Using this book as a guide, we got several of my fellow Texans living in Nooooo Yawk City together a scavenger hunt around the Hill Country in search of food, golf and honky tonks using this book as a guide. The record weight gain by a member of our expedition was 8 pounds, which is a pretty strong recommendation for this book. I strongly suggest renting youself a bigass Cadillac or SUV and doing a tour yourself w/ Texas on the Halfshell at your side. Of note, although the authors do mention their propensity to get speeding tickets on their one year drive around Texas, they did not give any details of where the Dept of Public Safety guys were hiding. Watch out for the uncompromising DPS cowboy in Dripping Springs. He will refuse to believe that you haven't been drinking if you've been to Lukenbach, which I hadn't. God Bless Texas!!!!

As previous writer, it is the best TexMex cookbook ever published. I have had my copy since it was published in 1982. Pages have worn out, I have to find another copy. These recipies are not for the squimish, but for people who have a taste for the hotter side.

Do not use this book if you are looking for nuevo Tex Mex or heart healthy, dietetic fare. I've been using this cook book for over 10 years as my basic, definitive reference for classic recipies. While it is the best book that I have ever seen for its shear number of award wining chili recipies, it is also excellent for salsas, barbeque (dry rubs and sauces), beans (Red Caldwell's Beans-R-Best) and chicken fried steak. Believe everything they say about technique and difficulty of making good Texas barbeque. I have just about worn out my second copy and will soon start looking for my third.