MICHENER, JAMES A. — Texas

NY: Random House, 1985. 0394541545. Stated First Edition. First Printing. Hard Cover. ISBN: 0394541545. FIRST EDITION (stated), FIRST PRINTING (Random House Number LIne: 24689753). Hardcover with unclipped dust jacket. xviii, (ii), 1096, (2) pp. The story of Texas, a blending of historical fiction, and historical facts, from the early 1500's, to the 1900's with the likes of Cabeza de Vaca, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the Indians, the Settlers, the Indian Wars, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Alamo, Cattle, Cowboys, Oil, Jim Bowie, William Travis, Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, the Texas Rangers, etc. In this magnificent historical novel, James Michener skillfullly combrines fact and fiction to present our richest, most expansive and most diversified state. It is a history full of violence and conflict, political chicanery and wheeling and dsmanship, of growth and development. This accout of how Texas became unique among our states is as exciting as it is informative. "Michener's latest combination of mammoth research, history, and fiction exudes all the color, courage, villainy, violence, and independent spirit expected from the Lone Star state. The book's organizing principle is a governor's task force created to study the state. It is composed of stereotypical Texans: oil man, rancher, genteel descendant of Southern aristocracy, Chicano, etc. Their ancestors are Texas, everyone an adventurer, from a Spanish missionary to Scots-Irish and Germans hungry for land and freedom, to a minister sent to civilize Comanches, to Mexican bandits and Texas Rangers. Interspersed among these sagas are task force meetings in various Texas cities to study local geography and natural history a far more accessible approach than previous Michener tomes that lump them in heavy opening chapters. Purists may object to the overabundance of dramatic incidents, but they make exciting reading. Highly recommended. " Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, Mass. The story of Texas, a blending of historical fiction, and historical facts, from the early 1500's, to the 1900's with the likes of Cabeza de Vaca, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the Indians, the Settlers, the Indian Wars, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Alamo, Cattle, Cowboys, Oil, Jim Bowie, William Travis, Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, the Texas Rangers, etc. In this magnificent historical novel, James Michener skillfullly combrines fact and fiction to present our richest, most expansive and most diversified state. It is a history full of violence and conflict, political chicanery and wheeling and dsmanship, of growth and development. This accout of how Texas became unique among our states is as exciting as it is informative. "Michener's latest combination of mammoth research, history, and fiction exudes all the color, courage, villainy, violence, and independent spirit expected from the Lone Star state. The book's organizing principle is a governor's task force created to study the state. It is composed of stereotypical Texans: oil man, rancher, genteel descendant of Southern aristocracy, Chicano, etc. Their ancestors are Texas, everyone an adventurer, from a Spanish missionary to Scots-Irish and Germans hungry for land and freedom, to a minister sent to civilize Comanches, to Mexican bandits and Texas Rangers. Interspersed among these sagas are task force meetings in various Texas cities to study local geography and natural history a far more accessible approach than previous Michener tomes that lump them in heavy opening chapters. Purists may object to the overabundance of dramatic incidents, but they make exciting reading. Highly recommended. " Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, Mass.. Bottom edge of front cover has very slight shelf-wear, light dust soiling to top edge, else pristine, unmarked, tight, square and clean. The unclipped dust jacket has a small, short crease at the bottom edge of the front cover and a short tear at the top edge of the rear cover near the spine. A large, heavy book - additional shipping charges may apply, particularly for expedited or international shipment. VERY GOOD+/ VERY GOOD+.. 8vo (6.5 x 9.5"). xviii, 1096 pages. Very Good+ in Very Good+ dust jacket .