Gregg Cantrell has tackled a sacred cow and come out unscathed. His new book, Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas is a meticulously researched and carefully written profile of a man we only thought we knew.

Our knowledge of Stephen Fuller Austin, is gleaned largely from the work of Eugene C. Barker. His 1925 tome, Life of Stephen F. Austin, painted this renowned figure as "The Father of Texas"...and rightly so. However, the Austin we see in Barker's work is a flat two-dimensional character lacking much of the humanity needed to explain the heroism behind the hero.

Though technically accurate, Barker provided little to help us understand the motivations behind Austin the man or of the dynamic forces that led to the making of a republic.

In Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas. Gregg Cantrell brings to life the real Stephen F. Austin with all of his strengths and foibles. We learn in some depth how Austin was destined for greatness, a direct product of his father's influence. His father, Moses Austin, at one point was quite wealthy and wielded a powerful hand in creating his son in his own image. He wanted him to be a gentleman living in the world of high finance. Who Stephen F. Austin was and the way he thought all bear the mark of Moses Austin's influence.

When the younger Austin grew into manhood, his father put him in charge of various business ventures within the Austin empire. Stephen's training paid off as he showed himself to be adroit at business. Unfortunately, an economic depression and several bad business dealings (mostly initiated by the elder Austin), left the family buried in overwhelming debt.

By 1820, Moses Austin saw a possible way to get his head above financial water. He became the first Anglo to get permission to colonize Spanish Texas. Unfortunately, he died before realizing his goal. His deathbed request was that Stephen bring the colony to fruition. Under a sense of instilled familial loyalty very characteristic of the young Austin, he reluctantly abandoned his own course to obey his father's wishes.

When Mexican independence became a reality, Stephen F. Austin skillfully navigated through the waters of the diplomatic intricacies to which he had been thrust. He began to see that building his colony was a way to repay the enormous debts the family had accumulated and to restore a measure of honor to his father's name. He would make his fortune through land. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the work of colonizing Texas and it soon became clear that it was not just another business venture but a mission. This mission would eventually be to create an independent Texas by any means.

Austin earned the title "Father of Texas" by overseeing every aspect of the colony and the lives of those under his care. He became a fierce advocate for the rights of his colonists and worked tirelessly for many years (many times to his own detriment) to ensure the success of the colony.

His was not an easy task. The central government in Mexico was in a constant state of turmoil. Cantrell shows us that one of Austin's biggest strengths was his ability to forge alliances with the powers at the heart of Mexico and the Tejano elite of Texas. Men like Don Erasmo Seguín and Lorenzo de Zavala had the deepest respect for Stephen F. Austin and shared his vision of Texas. He even earned the respect of those who opposed him.

Throughout the book, Cantrell discusses Austin's struggle with his personal demons. All through his life, Austin was plagued with self-doubt and self-pity. He also experienced bouts of deep depression. His physical stature was not great and sometimes even frail due to chronic illness. What set Stephen F. Austin apart was that he pushed himself to the limits of human endurance and set his own interests aside many times for the good of others. Therein lies his heroism. He persisted when lesser men would have quit.

Our tendency with heroes is to deify them and negate their humanity. Cantrell pulls no punches in revealing the full human nature of Stephen F. Austin. It was surprising to this reader to learn Austin's attitudes toward blacks and toward Catholics. Though in theory, Austin opposed the institution of slavery, he himself owned slaves. He fought diligently for his colonists to keep their slaves and not to free slaves already living in Texas. He feared that if blacks were freed, their number would increase. His vision was for a Texas populated predominately by whites.

He looked upon Catholicism as gross 12th century ignorance, a yoke of oppression that retarded Mexico's progress into the 19th century. Austin seldom voiced these feelings except to a few close friends. It would not have faired well in his diplomatic relations.

Stephen F. Austin was indeed human. He wasn't perfect. He made mistakes; but until his death at age 43, he never faltered in his devotion to Texas.

Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas brings a clear understanding of the events that led to the Texas Revolution. If you have ever wondered why there was an Alamo, Goliad or San Jacinto, then you should read this book.

The narrative is clear and well written and it held my attention from page one. I highly recommend this book.

Comments about the personal development of historical figures are sometimes ignored in favor a list of achievements. Cantrell includes details of how Moses Austin encouraged his son to be a big thinker. The Austin family's "can do" attitude is certainly reflected in in Stephen's life.

This biography is written so well, and the story so interesting, it could be a novel from James Michener. If you are interested in Texas history, Southwest history, Mexican history, or Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny, this book is a must read. I'll be VERY suprised if you don't like it.

What a delightful book! A guide for Texas Teasippers or just a pleasant read - the author has a great sense of humor. This book will live in my car from now on.

A MUST FOR TEA LOVERS What a charming, humorous guide to the tearooms in Texas! Lori Torrance has done such a wonderful job, even my husband is ready to search out some of these places!! It's a miracle! ha If you're a tea lover and enjoy gathering yourself in quiet, little out of the way places, you've got to get this book. And it's the perfect gift for tea loving friends.

And, if you love Texas like I do, you would also enjoy checking out Last of the Old Time Texans, Texas Bad Girls: Harlots, Hussies, & Horsethieves, or a Browser's Book to Texas History....

This book is great! It is a guide to all the tearooms in Texas! It has pictures, menus, famous quotes, histories of the town the tearoom is in, as well as the history of the tearoom! It even has various fillers, like "How to Read Tea Leaves and What the Symbols Mean", "How to Make a Proper British Cup of Tea", etc. This is so worth the money. I know the author and she has spent well over a year, with her mother, traveling to all these tearooms. They took pictures (inside and out) and the pictures look fantastic. It is not a critique, but a handy guide you can take with you. Why settle for fast food, when you can have an ice cold glass (or even cup of hot) Almond tea , choices of homemade sandwiches, soups and outrageous desserts in a quiet victorian decorated room. In one tearoom, you can even hear singing English Countryside birds. Personally, I have always been a coffee drinker, but now, I am even ready to go drink tea!! (cold or hot). Enjoy the book, I sure do..

An excellent well written book ! Being a descendent of one of the early pioneers of South Texas, this book really open up my eyes on how our early ancestors used the natural resources around them to built their homes and where proud of them. It also describes how the unity in the family helped them cope with the struggles of goverment changes. This book takes you back in time as if you where there to see it. This is a book everyone who is interested in early South Texas History must read. My hats off to Andres Tijerina.

Tijerina states that, "Tejanos founded the ranching frontier on their land grants... were the founders of the State of Texas". I agree that only Tejanos have lived and fought under six flags and that Tejanos are here to stay. Tejano Empire is a bold book, well documented, and difficult to lay aside once opened by a reader. Stories handed down for generations are finally put into print. Beasley's sketches depict tejano stories that will live forever. Bravo - Andres Tijerina and thank you.

Being a descendant of a pioneer ranch family in Duval County since the 1860's, Rancho San Buenaventura; after reading Tejano Empire it brings out the spirit of my greatgrandfather's and so many other rancheros of that era's way of life. I think this book will bring back self confidence to the many families in South Texas with ranching roots. With this book Tijerina helps fill the void of the much neglected history of the ranchos in South Texas from a Tejano point of view. The beautiful illustrations by Ricardo M. Beasley and Servando Hinojosa are also an additional plus. A definite book to add to anyones collection if you're into Texas history.

This book is a great source of information concerning both the history of Texas A&M University - Kingsville, as well as the entire area known as south Texas. This is a must for those studying the area, or for those interested in University histories.

This book is very good -- not only for the history of Texas A&M University - Kingsville, but for the history of this area. It is well written and a must have for those studying University histories in the United States.

Institutionalhistories are almost always suspect. Mainly because they're regarded, more often than not, as simply extensions of institutional public relations. Putting the institution's best forward, so to speak. In Texas A&M University--Kingsville, the Hunters have produced a work of substance, not a p/r tract.

The history spans 75 years over nine tightly organized chapters. The origins of Texas A&M University--Kingsville are auspicious. Relegated to after thoughts, South Texas fought tooth and nail to land the Texas State Normal college.

Building a first-class university was not easy. Exhaustive research by the Hunters show us the "trials and triiumphs" of South Texas State Normal College becoming South Texas State Teachers College, then Texas College of Arts & Industries, and finally Texas A&I University with a budding university system of its own until it was absorbed into the Texas A&M University System in 1988.

In the closing chapter, the Hunters synthesize the history and future of Texas A&M University--Kingsville with the title "Proud Past, Promising Future" contextalizing their commentary in the politics of higher education in Texas. "Today," the Hunters note, "Texas A&M University--Kingsville faces the same obstacles and problems that they have historically. Their view of the institution is balanced and fair, and humorous at times. We need more histories of institutions like Texas A&M University--Kingsville. They help to fill in the spaces of memory.

You don't have to be Texan to appreciate the latest and greatest edition of The Texas Almanac. The book is chock full of interesting information about the Texas Rangers (the law enforcement group, not Bush's former baseball team), as well as bits of trivia that make you wonder why George W. would ever want to leave the second largest state in the US.

The almanac also has plenty of helpful facts, such as the climate, weather disasters and population of each county in the Lone Star State.

This book is great for anybody, but is a must for every journalist and television news analyst who intends to interview the governor of Texas on his presidential bid.

What a find! From environmental information to history to state government, the Texas Almanac has it all. The book lists helpful information for natives and visitors, from the National Wildlife Refuges to facts on Texas tourism and the info on hunting and fishing licenses. Also available are little factoids, such as the the brief period in history that the Texas Capital was actually a steamboat and the history of oil in the Lone Star State. A must for anyone who wants to know more about the state!

Little Dallam County (pop 5891) has the highest per capita income in the state of Texas? San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas?, ahead of Dallas! These are the kind of facts you will readily find in the Millennium Edition of the 2000 - 2001 Texas Almanac. This edition features a concise history of the Texas Rangers, an improved layout of all 254 counties and the all important, "Texas Pronunciation Guide". If you are a glutton for minuet facts about Texas you will enjoy the Millennium Edition of the Texas Almanac.

If you like southern cooking, this is the cookbook for you. We've tried many of the recipes and have yet to be disappointed. If I could use one phrase to entice you it would be: "Just like my mother used to make". The recipes are simple, easy to prepare and delicious. 'Nuff said.

This is one of the best cookbooks I own, and I own a lot of them. I can read cookbooks like some people read novels. The recipes I have tried in this book have all been extremely good. I am buying several to send to friends who live in the North - (they don't know a lot about good Southern cooking!)

This is a great source for excellent recipes! It is primarily "comfort food" and family tradition type dishes - items which are not usually found in routine cookbooks. I've never made anything from it that was not outstanding. That says alot, since I'm from Texas myself, and a good chicken fried steak or chicken and dumplings recipe is hard to find! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to make all those "traditional" down home meals but doesn't know how to do it from scratch.

Texas Food Companies: A Tasty Guide by Texas author Rhonda Cloos is a unique and impressive, encyclopedia-style reference to over one hundred food companies located within the confines of the Lone Star State. Each entry contains a brief history of the company, information on food factory tours, and buying and ordering information in order to get hold of company foodstuffs. A web guide to ordering favorite foods online make the mouth-watering ingredients listed in Texas Food Companies effectively available to all. Whether as a specialized travel guide reference for visitors or for gourmet cooks seeking direct order ingredients for Texas ethnic cuisines, Texas Food Companies is a welcome and highly recommended reference.

This is a cover to cover must-read for any "foodie", from the serious food historian to chefs, to serious or amateur home cooks, Texans, Texas travellers, and on and on...
The author captures the essence of culinary company history, proving that the Texas heart is as big as its lore. From chocolate to bar-b-q, settle in for a mouth-watering ride across the Lone Star State. You'll be wanting to fill your chuckwagon along the way!

This is one of the finest books(non fiction ) that I have ever read. The mouth-watering contents are truly revealing and the writing is concise and very informative. Rhonda Cloos has the gift of making one almost taste the scrumptious contents of thisbook. I recommend this Texas Food Company guide to anyone who appreciates the culinary arts. Reviewer: Bob Cohen Evanston,Il.

This book has been a great help and a pleasure to thumb through. I just wish there was a newer version.

A very comprehensive review and rating of 400+ golf courses from the Colonial country club to the Falfurrias,Tx muni!! If you've ever played a round of golf in Texs, your course is probably listed and rated. Excellent descriptions of the top 300.A few minor errors like calling Hole No.1 of the Woodlands TPC No.13, and a photo of a hole on Portland's Northshore CC which isn't there. But a big bang for your $$$$$ , and a true collector's item, or coffee table book.

This book is one of the most complete books ever written on golf in the state; one part photo album, one part history book and one part travel guide. A large book with a large attitude.

Fern Michaels continues her journey deep in the heart of Texas with this second novel in the Coleman family saga. Though we still follow Billie Ames Coleman Kingsley from time to time, this novel is more focused on Billie's eldest daughter, the headstrong and passionate Maggie. Now the mistress of the family spread Sunbridge, Maggie has her hands full with an ungrateful son at odds with his Amerasian cousin, her struggle to overcome her demons and attempting to re-establish some sort of connection with her daughter, Sawyer, whom she abandoned to Billie when Sawyer was an infant. Add to the mix a forbidden love for Maggie, a shocking accusation that places the Colemans against the law and loads of good old-fashioned family conflict and you have a wonderful second novel for Michaels' TEXAS series. Readers will not be disappointed!

Vegas Heat was just wonderful. Fern Michaels writes another great one. Loved it & couldn't put it down once I started it. What a wonderful way to spend a day. Just great!

Fern Michaels outdid herself on the Texas series of books. They are all so great. Have read the whole series & they were so great that I kept them all to reread again someday. The books are a must read for everyone. I can't say enough about them. If you want to sit down & fall in love with a whole family than get these books.

TEXAS INDIANS transported me. As I read, I felt myself sliding into the past, sitting at a camp fire listening to an elder tell the stories as I walked in the old ways. The myths, legends and histories are told clearly and objectively, yet the cultures come alive. Ms. Archer gave me a window into a world past, yet still present, and I was a bit surprised how deeply connected I felt to both spans of time.

Jane Archer retells ancient stories for modern readers and makes them such fun to read! But while fun, the stories also provide insights into the native Texas people from whose cultures the stories arose. The short history sections that follow each group of stories give further insights into the various native Texas cultures and make rereading the stories even more meaningful and fun. This is a book you can enjoy more than once and in more than one way, and it is a book you will find yourself wanting to share often with others. Don't miss it!

Jane Archer retells ancient stories in a style that makes them great fun for adults and children alike. But while fun, the stories also give insights into the distinct cultures of the native people from whom the stories arose. The history sections that follow each set of stories convey further insights into the originating cultures and deepen the enjoyment of the stories when they are read a second time, then a third time and a fourth. In short, here is a book containing stories and histories you can reread and enjoy time and again and share often with others. I recommend it highly. It deserves MORE than five stars. Don't miss it!