Lone Star Bookshelf
A feature of Texas Cooking Magazine
in association with Amazon.com Books
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Lone Star Bookshelf
A feature of Texas Cooking Magazine
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1998-1999 Texas Almanac
Publisher: The Dallas Morning News; ISBN 091451122X
Soft bound, 672 pp.; List $9.95 -- Amazon.com Price $7.96 -- You save $1.99 (20%)
This is the definitive reference for the State of Texas, past and present. This hardbound volume contains over 600 pages of information, including a timeline which begins at 11,000 B.C., a section containing detailed data and maps for each county, State history, Texas music history, recreation and travel information, and it just goes on and on. If, for instance, you need to know how many miles are driven in Dallas County per day (a whopping 27,087,880), you've got it. Not all tables and charts, much of the Almanac is in an easy-to-read, narrative style. An excellent tool for business reference, but the casual reader can sit down with it and find himself absorbed, section by section, with this wealth of factual information.
At Least 1836 Things You Ought to Know about Texas But Probably Don't
Author: Doris L. Miller
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223242
Softbound, 192 pp.; List $9.95 -- Amazon.com Price $7.96 -- You save $1.99 (20%)
Did you know that the city of Borger's earliest jail was a log, and prisoners just sat on the ground chained to it? Or that when Crane County was organized in 1927, the first county officials didn't have a Bible to be sworn in with? They improvised with a Sears and Roebuck catalog. Miller has put together a fascinating collection of off-the-wall trivia that could only be found in the Lone Star State. From personal accounts and actual county records, this collection will fascinate even the most knowledgeable Texans.
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Best Tales of Texas Ghosts Author: Docia Schultz Williams Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556225695 Softbound, 400 pp., List: $18.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $15.16 -- You save $3.79 (20%) |
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Best Tales of Texas Ghosts is a spirited medley of spine-tingling tales and a collection of the most haunting stories from the Texas Ghost Series authored by "ghost writer" Doris Schultz Williams. From the Ghosts Along the Texas Coast to the Phantoms of the Plains and throughout San Antonio, the most haunted city in the State (When Darkness Falls), this guide also includes new stories, actual accounts, sightings and recent documentation of mysterious happenings from the Piney Woods of East Texas to Dallas. This book is a seductive resource for those seeking evidence of ghosts and a "must read" for the most intense ghost hunters in the state.
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Bubba Speak: A Texas Dictionary Author: W. C. Jameson Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556226160 Softbound, 185 pp., List: $14.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $11.96 -- You save $2.99 (20%) |
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Texans have a language all their own, and most first-time visitors to the state are about as surprised as "a pup with his first porcupine" at Bubba's colorful language. A thesaurus of language unique to Texas culture, Bubba Speak is almost required reading for anyone new to the state of Texas, whether they are just passing through or have settled in to stay. Like the little foreign language books that everyone carries overseas, Bubba Speak will enable the visitor to communicate and understand what's really being said.
A Cowboy of the Pecos
Author: Patrick Dearen
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556225288
Softbound, 240 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
An 1886 newspaper termed the Pecos River of Texas and southern New Mexico "the cowboy's paradise." One cowhand even reckoned "the Pecos boys were the most expert cowboys in the world." On the Pecos they had to be, for in frontier times it was a river so treacherous it was known as the "graveyard of the cowman's hopes." This account tells the full story of the Pecos cowboy, from the time of the Goodnight-Loving cattle drive to the 1920's. Documented and supported by vintage photographs, this book will carry readers through the Old West with the cowboys.
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First in the Lone Star State: A Texas Brag Book Author: Sherrie S. McLeRoy Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556225725 Softbound, 256 pp., List: $15.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $12.76 -- You save $3.19 (20%) |
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"Texas brag" is a long-cherished tradition in the Lone Star STate. But the fact is Texas does have more than its share of unique people, places, events, inventions, and products -- all of the, undeniably, the first, the largest, or the only representative of their kind. First in the Lone Star State: A Texas Brag Book is the ultimate "one of a kind" for Texas trivia buffs.
The Funny Side of Texas
Authors: Ellis Posey and John Johnson
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223234
Softbound, 120 pp., List: $7.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $6.36 -- You save $1.59 (20%)
This book is a celebration of that special sense of humor Texans have developed to survive the bad times and help make the good times even better. Every story and illustration is an example of true folk humor, reflecting the unique geographic, historical, and cultural perspective of some of the state's funniest people. Noted humorist Ellis Posey and artist John Johnson make readers chuckle, snort and smile as they travel across the state reminding us again that "people are funnier than anybody."
Fixin' to Be Texan
Author: Helen Bryant
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556226489
Softbound, 200 pp., List: $15.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $12.76 -- You save $3.19 (20%)
Fixin' to Be Texan pokes gentle fun at the Texas mystique and leaves readers in a happy frame of mind. If they are residents of the state, they'll get a kick out of Bryan't clever way of identifying our most predominant characteristics; if they are new to Texas, Bryant's book will be an essential tool to their understanding the wonderful (and sometimes incomprehensible) behavior of our fine native population. The author is a well-known columnist for the Dallas Morning News. Both she and her husband, John Anders, also a nationally recognized columnist for the News, are the unofficial humorists for the state.
Ghosts Along the Texas Coast
Author: Docia Schultz Williams
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223773
Softbound, 248 pp., List: $16.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $13.56 -- You save $3.39 (20%)
Take a spine-tingling journey with the author as she introduces you to the ghosts that roam the warm beaches of Port Aransas and South Padre Island. You may want to keep the night light on as she investigates the mysterious hauntings of La Bahia at Goliad, the Golden Triangle, and the presidios of far South Texas. Using tangible evidence and first-hand testimony, Williams attempts to validate some of the bizarre and disturbing accounts of ghosts along the Texas coast.
The Last Great Days of Radio
Author: Lynn Woolley
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223218
Softbound, 272 pp., Amazon.com Price: $12.95
Lynn Woolley, long-time radio personality turned author, brings readers the laughs and times of Texas radio in its heyday. A mixture of humor, wit and nostalgia, this book follows the career of Woolley from the smallest station in a small market to the largest radio newsroom in Texas and back again. The book is full of inside information about the radio business and touches on the careers of dozens of well-known broadcasters.
Phantoms of the Plains: Tales of West Texas Ghosts
Author: Docia Schultz Williams
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223978
Softbound, 208 pp., List: $16.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $13.95 -- You save $3.39 (20%)
There are some departed souls gripped with a purpose not realized in life. Whether they linger to protect, seek revenge or to complete a task, these spirits appear doomed to an elusive world between the living and the dead. The third in a series about Texas' ghosts, this book introduces the reader to far West Texas, where the ghosts of former residents also have found good reason to remain "home on the range," haunting the mystical, magical land of the high mesas and rolling plains.
Rainy Days in Texas Funbook
Author: Wallace O. Chariton
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556221304
Softbound, 160 pp., List: $7.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $6.36 -- You save $1.59 (20%)
Here is an exciting collection of fun projects that are perfect for keeping youngsters occupied on a rainy day. The projects include word search puzzles, do-it-yourself jigsaw puzzles, the world's longest board game, coloring pages, special games, and much more. All projects include easy-to-follow instructions designed to increase children's enjoyment while holding parental stress to a minimum. Mothers and fathers will love Rainy Days in Texas Funbook because it's like having a baby sitter in a book.
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The Star Film Ranch: Texas' First Picture Show Author: Frank Thompson Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556224818 Softbound, 272 pp., Amazon.com Price: $12.95 |
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In the first decade of the twentieth century, the American motion picture industry was concentrated in Chicago and on the East Coast. Determined to make the most authentic Western pictures possible, the Melies Star Film Company of Manhattan made the decision to move its entire production company to Texas. Film historian Frank Thompson has compiled an entertaining look at filmmaking of the period, the Star Film Ranch headquarters in San Antonio, and an in-depth history of the movie moguls, the crew and vintage stars of the silver screen.
Tales of the Guadalupe Mountains
Author: W. C. Jameson
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 155622396X
Softbound, 208 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
From Texas' highest and most remote mountain range come many never-before published tales of lost treasure, ghosts, and mysterious and unexplainable occurrences. Tales of the Guadalupe Mountains explains the folklore, myths and legends surrounding people, places and happenings in West Texas' Guadalupe Mountains. Included in this collection are stories of a small cave guarded by three skeletons, the ghost of a World War II pilot, the legend of John Seven Oaks, and the grisly discovery of headless corpses in the shadow of this great island in the desert.
Texas Highway Humor
Author: Wallace O. Chariton
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556221762
Softbound, 144 pp., List: $10.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $8.76 -- You save $2.19 (20%)
In the beginning, it was happy trails. Then someone invented the horseless carriage and things haven't been the same since. As ribbons of concrete spread over the horse trails, so did the fun and frustration. This book explores some of that highway fun, both past and present. Included are unique pictures of strange vehicles, early gas stations, convenience stores, the evolution of the stop light, unusual roadside signs, the Texas billboard hall of fame, strange things seen when driving, and much, much more. Also included are vignettes about famous and not so famous Texas highway incidents, making the book as much an adventure as driving the highways, only much safer.
Texas Tales Your Teacher Never Told You
Author: Charlie Eckhardt
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 155622141X
Softbound, 224 pp., List: $16.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $13.36 -- You save $3.39 (20%)
Charlie Eckhardt, a newspaper columnist and owner of the Lone Star Barber Shop in Seguin, Texas, spins his tales as only Charlie can. This book covers such topics as the little-known first Texas revolution of 1838-1840, the Linville raid, the legend of the Yellow Rose of Texas, Jim Bowie's famous knife and Sam Colt's equally famous pistol, and many more. From the early days of Texas up to the saving of the oil industry, Charlie tells 'em like he heard 'em and assures that some of the stories are actually true.
Texas Wit and Wisdom
Author: Wallace O. Chariton
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556222572
Softbound, 256 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
This book is a friendly, entertaining collection of stories, anecdotes, amusing quotations, funny signs, some classic Texas jokes, and even some surprisingly sound advice from the often wacky but always wonderful world of Texans. Features in Texas Wit and Wisdom include the bumper sticker hall of fame, amusing T-shirt slogans, and some interesting photographs. This book is a true classic collection of Texas hilarity.
A Treasury of Texas Trivia
Author: Bill Cannon
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556225261
Softbound, 224 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
The author, a Dallasite, has thoughtfully divided his book into six sections, Truth Is Stranger than Fiction, Lost in the Footnotes of Texas History, People, Firsts, Geography and Local Trivia. No tall tales here, this is factual information, for the most part, with maybe just a smidgen of hearsay thrown in. But this collection of information is no less interesting for its authenticity. A good example:
Nearly forty years before the Wright brothers flew their plane at Kittyhawk in 1903, a Texan flew a fixed-wing powered airplane in Fredericksburg in 1865. Newspaper accounts reveal that Jacob Brodbeck successfully flew an airplane that he had built which was powered with coil springs. The airplane reached an altitude of tree-top heights before it crashed into a hen house, killing numerous chickens and scaring many children. Brodbeck, a teacher and inventor, came to Texas from Germany in 1846 and lived in Luckenbach.
An enjoyable and well-balanced mix of data and humor. Keep this book by your favorite chair.
That Cat Won't Flush
Author: Wallace O. Chariton
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556221754
Softbound, 288 pp., Amazon.com Price: $12.95
That Cat Won't Flush is an entertaining country dictionary that contains thousands of the sayings so popular in the South, West and anywhere people talk country. Included are short stories and interesting quotations which bring the humorous definitions to life. Unlike other country language collections, this book is arranged in convenient dictionary format according to the normal English meaning so a special country saying can be found quickly for any occasion or purpose. The accompanying cartoons make this collection a dictionary that is every bit as entertaining as it is useful.
This Dog'll Hunt
Author: Wallace O. Chariton
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556221258
Softbound, 300 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
The ultimate Texas dictionary and a best-seller, This Dog'll Hunt contains thousands of popular Texas sayings plus interesting stories and actual quotations. All entries are arranged in dictionary format so the material is as easy to use as it is humorous. This book features an introduction by former Texas Governor Ann Richards. It makes a great gift for displaced Texans who don't want to forget how we really talk in the Lone Star State.
Wild Camp Tales
Author: Mike Blakely
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223838
Softbound, 208 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
According to famous spinner of far-fetched stories and Texas Ranger "Bigfoot" Wallace, the "bigger the tale, the more folks tend to want to believe in it." Wild Camp Tales is an entertaining and enlightening collection of some of the biggest tales folks have wanted to believe. From legends like the San Felipe Curse to Judge Roy Bean's bear, author Mike Blakely has bravely attempted to judge what's true and what's not and rounded up some of the most interesting yarns in the process.
More Wild Camp Tales
Author: Mike Blakely
Publisher: Republic of Texas Press; ISBN 1556223927
Softbound, 208 pp., List: $12.95 -- Amazon.com Price: $10.36 -- You save $2.59 (20%)
More Wild Camp Tales is a continuation of the wild and wilder, "true and truer" stories written and collected by entertainer and historian Mike Blakely. This anthology contains fascinating and outrageous tales of Wild Texans, the Wild West, Wild Times, and some Wild Critters.
