Lone Star: A History Of Texas - T.R. Fehrenbach
If you are looking for an academic analysis of the socio-political, economical and cultural history of Texas, this book is not for you. If, on the other hand, you would enjoy an astute "cultural appreciation", based on the factual and mythological history of this most extraordinary and, in the proper sense of the term "iconic" state… well, Fehrenbach delivers. Except, perhaps until he gets to the 20th Century when, I think, his approach and methodology becomes somewhat anachronistic - sketchy and, from a technical history point of view, inadequate. His approach works best for the formative and early (18th & 19th century) account of the birth and gradual, halting development of what was to become the modern state of Texas. Which, as he quite rightly points out, had a far more significant influence on the more general history and mythology of American "Manifest Destiny" mythology, than is more generally appreciated. For pointing this out so articulately and stylishly, he deserves five stars. Apart from anything else the first three quarters of the book is a thunderingly good read. Once he has established the "cultural parameters" (a term, I suspect, he would despise) in terms of Scots-Irish (lets cal it) "initiative"… he then gives a wonderful account of The Alamo and the subsequent defeat of Santa Anna, and what followed on the frontier that sounds like a research prep for a Larry Mcmurtry saga.
Fehrenbach has a style and approach all his own. An intention to tell a good tale. And in a manner befitting its subject. The, essentially, Scots Irish people who moved out of the Appalachians with their tribal and pugnacious, self reliant, pragmatic adaptive intelligence and drive. Which, he proposes, made the Texican. Booms and busts (cotton, then small farmers, then big cattle, then big oil) ( Confederacy, border wars with Mexico, border wars (to virtual annihilation) with the Comanche and Kiowa. Fehrenbach's narrative style does good service sketching this gradual development ever westward until we get to the 20th Century. Then the effect is mixed. He provides some sense of why and how the rest of the States (particularly the North East establishment and Washington DC) simply didn't understand this bizarre (to them) Texican culture. And had, by then made mistake after mistake in managing Texas as one of the United States. Beginning with the aftermath of the civil war. ("The War Between The States")
For the 20th Century part of the book: I get from his account that Texas history is unique among the states for the reasons he articulates. Sometimes retrograde and, in a deep sense caught up in its own history. The problem is, I think, that this is not enough to account for what is happening in 21st Century Texas. And, I suspect, not enough to account for George Bush II. Though it might seem to on the surface.
BUT, for a riveting account of Texas in the 18th and 19th Century his approach offers a genuine insight for us Yankees to learn from. As he says, as title to his penultimate chapter, "Plus ca Chance"! Things only seem to change….
So, five stars for what it is. There are plenty of academic historians out there, if you prefer. But you'd be missing a fascinating insight.
Top reviews from the United States
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D. J. Leedham
Why Texans are so backward and so smart.
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014Aventurero
Epic History told bluntly
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2023Betra
Somewhat fair history, cumbersome writing style
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023cheryl Purdy
Excellent book. All Texans should read it.
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023Robert C.
Captures the Texas spirit
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2023Photo Bug
Excellent review of Texas history from the beginning.
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2014Marty M.
No Other Place on Earth Like Texas.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016Top reviews from other countries
S. Ferguson
Depth of intelligence & brilliant insights!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2013
C. A. Green
My husband loves this book. It was bought to ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2016