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A fascinating and fun look at the Lone Star State’s history, culture, and people
Texas is the country's second-largest state by size and population. It has a unique and varied history, having been ruled by a succession of nations—from which the term “six flags over Texas” sprang—before becoming an independent republic. From its traditional oil, cattle, and cotton industries to the modern energy, electronics, computer, aerospace, and biomedical industries, Texas has become an economic powerhouse. It’s known for its low taxes, diverse population, thriving universities, and art scenes. Exploring the state’s fascinating history, people, myths, culture, and trivia, The Handy Texas Answer Book takes an in-depth look at this fascinating and diverse state with the bigger-than-life personality.
Learn about the original Indigenous peoples, the Spanish, French, and Mexican colonizations, the independence from Mexico, the ties to the Confederacy and United States, devastating hurricanes, football culture, fast-growing cities and urban sprawl, food, attitude, and much, much more. Tour landmarks from the Alamo and cattle ranches to the Rio Grande and the state capital. Learn about famous sons and daughters, including Lyndon Johnson, Sam Houston, Howard Hughes, Janis Joplin, and Renée Zellweger. Sports, the government, parks, and cultural institutions are all packed into this comprehensive guide to the state of Texas. Find answers to more than 950 questions, including:
Illustrating the unique character of the state through a combination of facts, stats, and history, as well as the unusual and quirky, The Handy Texas Answer Book answers your Texas questions about people, places, events, government, and locations! This informative book also includes a helpful bibliography, an appendix of governors and presidents, a thorough historical timeline, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.
“Popular Texas historian James Haley … has produced another fascinating examination of the Lone Star State. … Students of Lone Star history will undoubtedly enjoy this engaging volume.” – Texas Escapes
“Awwww, hell yeah! This book is like "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About the Lone Star State … But Were Too Busy Swillin' Queso To Ask."” – Austin Chronicle
“… easy to read cover-to-cover. … highly recommended for public and school libraries …” – American Reference Books Annual
“… covers common and obscure bits of Texas “history, people, myths, culture and trivia,” including politics, oil, cattle, and art … A strong choice … with almost 1,000 answers providing readable information on hundreds of topics.” – Library Journal
“… answers about 950 questions about Texas and its population and demographics, history and politics, economy, regions, business, religion, education, environment and nature, sports, recreation, events, language, points of interest, legends, notable individuals, and major cities …” — Book News
Introduction
Chapter 1 Overview/Stats, Facts, Figures
Chapter 2 Early Texas: Native Americans to the Revolution 1528–1836
Chapter 3 The Republic of Texas: 1836–1845
Chapter 4 The Antebellum State to Civil War: 1845–1865
Chapter 5 Reconstruction to Urbanization: 1865–1900
Chapter 6 Modern Texas: 1900 to the Present
Chapter 7 Nature, Parks, Climate
Chapter 8 Natural and Economic Regions
Chapter 9 Cities and Towns
Chapter 10 Economy and Business
Chapter 11 Politics
Chapter 12 Sports
Chapter 13 Religion
Chapter 13 Culture, Festivals, Quirky, Folklore, Myths, Colloquialisms
Chapter 14 Notable Sons and Daughters
Appendix A: Texas’s Governors
Appendix B: Sites and Attractions
Timeline
Bibliography
Index