Since its founding, Texas has been a frontier in multiple aspects. It has been at the forefront of land exploration, with diverse races and languages coexisting. Religion, politics, and law have also played significant roles in shaping the state. Water has always been a crucial element, along with industries like cotton, cattle, and oil. Even football and armadillos have their place in the Texan identity.

This novel chronicles the lives of several influential families through the homesteads, wars, and booms that have defined Texas. As a native Texan, this book exceeded my expectations. I had previously read another of Michener's hefty works, "The Source" about Israel and religion, and loved it. However, it took me a long time to finish, and "Texas" is even longer. So, I opted for the audio version and was extremely glad I did. During my road trips across Texas, listening to this book was a full and immersive experience.

The characters in the book are larger than life. Some, like Otto Macnab, I adored, while others I found to be hilariously accurate portrayals. Every part of this book exudes the dusty, gritty, adventurous, and determined spirit that is quintessentially Texas.

While some reviews are critical of the "glorification" of rich white men, I believe they miss the point. Michener is not presenting most of his characters as heroes. Instead, he is showing that only in a land as unique as Texas could such characters thrive. He even pokes fun at them at times, as with Quimper's absurd boot company. Moreover, he repeatedly emphasizes that Texas is a land of minorities.

I'm a die-hard Michener fan and I thoroughly relished the first half of this captivating story. It was like a thrilling adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat.

However, once we delved into the oil years, the narrative seemed to drag for me. It felt a bit sluggish and lost some of its initial charm.

Moreover, I was constantly in a state of uncertainty regarding how I truly felt about the Task Force pages at the end of each chapter. They added an element of mystery but also left me a bit confused at times.

We have had the pleasure of visiting Texas twice already and we firmly plan to go again. Thanks to this novel, what I have learned will undoubtedly further enhance our next experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend the sections on the Alamo and San Jacinto to all first-time visitors to Texas. These parts offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Lone Star State.

This book truly deserves a full 5 stars. It is extremely well-researched, and based on my own research, it is historically accurate.

It delves into approximately 400 years of Texas/Mexico/American Indian/US history, covering the entire expanse of what was once and is now the land of Texas.

One aspect that really stood out to me, and which I was glad to see covered, is the fallacy that the U.S. "stole" Texas from Mexico. In reality, Mexico "stole" it from the American Indians, who in turn had "stolen" it from other American Indians. These back-and-forth "stealings" are simply part of the history of the entire American continent. Moreover, Santa Ana legally and rightfully sold the land to Texas, not the U.S. It's also notable that the Texians initially did not want to become part of the U.S., and the U.S. was reluctant to have Texas join the Union. It took the U.S. 10 years to finally agree, and then it was under very specific conditions written by Texas itself (conditions that no other state enjoys).

The book was a great read, with a well-planned pace - not too fast and not too slow. The only thing I wish I had done was to "map out" each of the main characters as the story progressed. After 200 years of history, I found myself having to remind myself of the relationships between the characters from the past 200 years, and this happened again as I neared the end of the book. But aside from that, I really, really enjoyed the book. It felt like a great movie that just kept going.

Michener also reveals some very interesting information. Having been born and raised in Mexico, there were certain customs that I was always aware of, but it wasn't until I read this book that I understood their origin and significance (such as calling certain older men by the title of "Don", etc.). It was truly fascinating!

Another fact that I had not considered or been aware of is that Texas pride is mostly derived from Irish customs, rather than Mexican or Texian. The "can-do/grow-a-tough-skin/you're-not-the-boss-of-me" attitudes that have become synonymous with Texans in recent years also have their roots in Irish ancestry. (Go Irish ancestry!)

One more thing that stood out to me was the portrayal of life. This book covers the highs and lows, the beautiful and the ugly, the love and the enmity that make up life for most of us. I often found myself referring to maps to better understand the locations. For example, the Battle of San Jacinto, which I knew was the decisive battle for Texas independence and located east of San Antonio, but I had no idea it was also east of Houston and fought on a relatively small piece of land, a peninsula really, by the bay! It was a fun fact to learn.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Texan or live in Texas. Now I can't wait to read other books by Michener!

It is a very intriguing story that spans across multiple generations. I found it extremely difficult to like almost any of the characters. However, there is something about following a family's journey over hundreds of pages that makes you care.

It is the first Michener book I have read that focuses on a particular geographic region. But I noticed that it suffered from some of the deficiencies present in the other ones I've read. The characters weren't particularly deep, and they were able to accomplish so much to an extent that it seemed unbelievable. Characters popping up all over the place, especially during the war chapters, made me have to go back and reread several times to figure out how they got from one place to another.

Another sore point for me was in the later sections. I didn't particularly care for the narrator's commentary surrounding the political debates (although it does point out the author's leanings) or the ideas promoted by the narrator (seemingly supporting means tests for voting). Also, the continued use of the term "wetback" by the narrator was quite offputting.

Overall, I enjoyed the book because I have a penchant for multigenerational stories about history. It is dense but worthwhile. So far, I have preferred the Rutherfords books I've read. However, I've heard that some of Michener's early work, which I haven't read yet, is better in terms of addressing some of the flaws that have persistently irked me throughout. ~3.25

As someone who was born in the state of Texas and has since relocated elsewhere, this book provides a vivid look into Texas' history and an understanding of its people.

Michener does an outstanding job of描绘 a broad historical panorama of Texas, starting from its initial settlement up to the present day.

Although there are certain aspects that could have been covered in greater depth, considering the era in which this book was published, it is truly remarkable.

It is a massive tome of a book, but if you are able to persevere and make it through, you will find yourself having a greater appreciation for that magnificent state.

The detailed accounts and engaging storytelling make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Texas or American history in general.

Overall, this book is a valuable addition to any history lover's collection.

Texas has a truly captivating history.

It dates back to its early Spanish roots, which left a profound mark on the region.

The influence of American Indians and Mexicans also played a significant role in shaping Texas.

Renowned author James Michener delved into all these aspects with great detail.

He skillfully wove history and fiction together, crafting an amazing story that brought the past to life.

Michener was indeed a master of historical fiction, and his work on Texas is a testament to his talent.

His ability to blend facts and imagination made the story not only entertaining but also educational.

Readers could immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Texas' history and gain a deeper understanding of the state's development.

Overall, Michener's exploration of Texas' history through the lens of fiction is a remarkable achievement.

Well, to be honest, it's not really that great. In fact, it's not even worth bothering to finish. I mean, just looking at page 171, it's quite underwhelming. There's nothing particularly interesting or engaging about it. The content seems rather平淡 and lacks any real spark or excitement. It's as if the author just phoned it in on this page. Maybe there are better parts later on, but based on this one page alone, I'm not very optimistic. I might give it a bit more of a chance, but right now, I'm really not feeling it.

I have delved into Hawaii and Chesapeake previously, and I am truly a devotee of James Michener. His remarkable talent lies in seamlessly integrating an enormous wealth of historical details with the allure of popular culture and a captivating story line. This magical combination ensures that the reader remains engaged and happily progresses through even a tome of over 1,000 pages. In fact, I found this novel to be even more enthralling than the others I had perused. It has provided me with a far deeper understanding of all the diverse strands - Indian, Spanish, Mexican, Southern, Western - that intertwined to form this one-of-a-kind state. Michener's ability to bring these complex historical and cultural elements to life is truly masterful, making his works a joy to read and a source of valuable knowledge.

FINALLY!

It took me an incredibly long time to read this book. I mean, just look at its size! It weighs a whopping five freakin' pounds.

Anyway, I was really loving this book until they started going on and on about Texas football, which was more than halfway through. I ended up skimming over that part, as well as most of the bits about Houston real estate and some of the randomness toward the very end.

The last section of the book didn't seem that cohesive to me. In contrast, the rest of the sections delved into very specific subjects like war, immigration, politics, slavery, farming, and so on.

As a native Texan, I grew up with a rather one-sided view of Texas history. This book, however, presents both/all sides, and it's truly fascinating. I'm actually quite surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

My favorite part is about the armadillo:

"How beautiful, how mysterious the armadillos were when one took the trouble to inspect them seriously, as Mr. Kramer did. They bespoke past ages, the death of great systems, the miracle of creation and survival; they were walking reminders of a time when volcanoes peppered the earth and vast lakes covered continents. They were hallowed creatures, for they had seen the earth before man arrived, and they had survived to remind him of how things had once been."

It's such a vivid and interesting description that really makes you think about the history and significance of these unique animals.

Overall, despite a few skimmable parts, this book has been a great read and has taught me a lot about Texas history from a more comprehensive perspective.

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the Lone Star State.

Much like the intimidating length of "War and Peace" made me put off reading a 1300-page book, Michener's "Texas" had a similar effect on me at first. I was apprehensive, fearing that it would be a dull historical account of the state. However, it soon became clear that it was an outstanding resource for learning about Texas history.

Michener was meticulous in his accuracy regarding dates, locations, and momentous events. To bring the history to life, he created fictional characters who experienced each era as the state was being formed, starting in the 1700s and extending into the late 20th century. For me, the early years were the most instructive. It was fascinating to see how the state developed when there were relatively few people. San Antonio, with a population of only 50,000, was the largest city as late as 1900. For several hundred years, Texas was rich in land but lacking in other aspects. But Michener shows how three factors interacted to create the Texas we know today.

The first was the abundance of land, which led to the establishment of the huge ranches we see today. The second was the discovery of oil on that land, which transformed poor ranches into wealthy ones. And the third, surprisingly, was high school football, which provided a major social network for the people. The characters he created to experience these developments are truly memorable. There were many highlights in the book for me, but the sections on high school football and the description of the longhorn breed of cattle were particularly eye-opening. I even learned some genetics in the latter section. He also added quintessential Texas elements like pecans, bluebonnets, armadillos, and UT football to make the story more engaging.

However, my interest began to wane in his 20th-century depictions. The increasing number and diversity of people and discoveries made it more challenging for him to create characters that could represent all the changes. There was just so much to fit into the story.

Everything in Texas is big, and Michener would not have done it justice with one of his "smaller" works. At nearly 1500 pages, Texas stands tall. Michner utilizes an interesting technique in this book. He merges the past and the present using the conceit of the governor's council on Texas history. Uniquely, he traces the family histories of the members of this council. As he does so, he also follows the rises and falls of their progenitors while tracing out Texas history from the 1500s through the 1980s.

Brutal Indian wars, pioneers, fervent Christians, nationbuilding, borders, ethnic strife, corruption, longhorns, oil, cotton, slaves, the Alamo (naturally), Rangers, real estate, mesquite, and, of course, football all color this landscape of varied terrains, climate, and opportunity. It is a big book that covers the rich history of this most singular part of our continent. Texas goes down like iced tea on a hot day. These pages went surprisingly fast, and Michener's skill is on full display here.

I give this one an enthusiastic endorsement. However, like many of Michener's books, Texas does not shy away from the derogatory language used by many of the characters in the particular time and place of their lives. Does the book contain racism? Of course it does, since racism has played such a large part in the history of this region. If a reader's constitution shies away from such language, then avoid this book at all costs. But if you do, you will miss a deeply researched, beautifully told history of one of America's greatest treasures... Texas.

This book initially intimidated me to a great extent. It is only two hours shorter than War and Peace and only slightly shorter than Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. I initially added it to my to-read list only to delete it the next day. It really annoys me to think that the length of a book could intimidate me like that. So, I made up my mind that it wouldn't. I delved back into the book, ensuring that I read it during my five-mile daily walks and at other times when I would be fully awake and engaged. This has been one of the most rewarding reconsiderations I can recall in a while.

The author is renowned for his extensive and sweeping sagas of historical fiction that depict various places and people. This book definitely qualifies as such a vast and sweeping saga, and you'll learn things along the way that will keep you thinking and reading. To his credit, Michener provides a list of the real and fictional characters at the front of the book, divided by chapters. He ties the novel together, so to speak, through a task force appointed by a fictional governor. The task force's mission was to rekindle the citizens' interest in their history, and it included descendants of some of the state's oldest families, as well as ranchers, oil barons, and university history scholars. The task force sections serve to introduce each new chapter of the book. These chapters are long, almost like novellas, and they focus on a specific time, place, or family in the state's history.

You start with the tale of a fictional young Mestizo boy who hears stories as he drives mules about a mysterious place north of his Mexican village. His imagination is so fired up by these stories that he decides to go there. The first chapter is his story, as well as the story of 16th-century explorers and settlers in the region.

Other early chapters examine the establishment of Spanish missions and the role they played in settling the state, including their influence on everything from marriage to land ownership. You'll read about fascinating customs, such as a daily parade of unmarried girls through the community, which was watched by unmarried men, of course. We might view such things as a form of oppressive barbarism, but Michener describes them as actually festive and as places that gave birth to good, productive, and influential marriages.

Other chapters look at the influx of Irish and other western European citizens through the Natchez Trace, a 440-mile trail that separated Nashville and the Cumberland River area from the Mississippi River area. Michener introduces you early on to men like Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, who played a significant role in Texas history. I had no idea, for example, that Houston fell from grace as Tennessee's governor and abandoned not one but two wives before settling in Texas. Michener portrays Houston here as a despicable drunk even after he became president of the Republic of Texas. However, the old gentleman redeemed himself in my eyes later in the book when he stood so firmly with the Union at the cusp of the Civil War.

There is naturally a chapter on the Alamo and another that examines the Mexican War of 1846, the war that brought the state into the United States. Both of these chapters were indeed interesting and filled with the kind of material that makes a novel engaging.

The Civil War chapter was excellent. Michener skillfully blends the loyalties of slaves and masters and their longing for freedom. Chapter 10 looks at the post-Civil War problems with the Comanches and provides an even-handed perspective on the atrocities committed by the Texans against the Native Americans and the horrors inflicted by the Native Americans on white female captives. It's an interesting look at the army's fort system and its relationships with civilians and Native Americans.

There is a fascinating chapter here about the frontier atmosphere of the communities in the state, and a chapter after that examines the transition from the frontier environment to the more settled and urbanized part of the state.

If the book had any drawbacks, they were its length (which wasn't a deal breaker for me) and the fact that it sometimes felt like an infomercial for the state. I could picture the overjoyed Chamber of Commerce employees poring over the book, lovingly selecting passages that depict the state's uniqueness, its grandeur, its independent spirit, and so on. I have no issue with patriots and flag wavers, but this got a bit excessive in a couple of places.

I don't usually read much historical fiction. Even when the author presents clear lists of what is real and what isn't, I get a bit uneasy because I don't want the fictional elements to accidentally seep into my mind as being real. There's nothing more embarrassing than bringing up some historical event only to have the person you're talking to inform you, either gently or haughtily, that the event you've so confidently expounded on simply didn't happen. But this book is an enjoyable exception to the "Historical Fiction is Evil" rule. I appreciate Michener's writing style, and he has a talent for bringing people and places to life.