Title
Big Wonderful Thing: A History of Texas (The Texas Bookshelf),Used
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2020 Philosophical Society of Texas Nonfiction Book Prize2019 Nonfiction Book Award Finalist, Writers? League of Texas2021 Citation from the San Antonio Conservation Society'Harrigan, surveying thousands of years of history that lead to the banh mi restaurants of Houston and the juke joints of Austin, remembering the forgotten as well as the famous, delivers an exhilarating blend of the base and the ignoble, a very human story indeed. [ Big Wonderful Thing is] as good a state history as has ever been written and a mustread for Texas aficionados.?Kirkus, Starred ReviewThe story of Texas is the story of struggle and triumph in a land of extremes. It is a story of drought and flood, invasion and war, boom and bust, and the myriad peoples who, over centuries of conflict, gave rise to a place that has helped shape the identity of the United States and the destiny of the world.?I couldn?t believe Texas was real,? the painter Georgia O?Keeffe remembered of her first encounter with the Lone Star State. It was, for her, ?the same big wonderful thing that oceans and the highest mountains are.?Big Wonderful Thing invites us to walk in the footsteps of ancient as well as modern people along the path of Texas?s evolution. Blending action and atmosphere with impeccable research, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Harrigan brings to life with novelistic immediacy the generations of driven men and women who shaped Texas, including Spanish explorers, American filibusters, Comanche warriors, wildcatters, Tejano activists, and spellbinding artistsall of them taking their part in the creation of a place that became not just a nation, not just a state, but an indelible idea.Written in fastpaced prose, rich with personal observation and a passionate sense of place, Big Wonderful Thing calls to mind the literary spirit of Robert Hughes writing about Australia or Shelby Foote about the Civil War. Like those volumes, it is a big book about a big subject, a book that dares to tell the whole glorious, gruesome, epically sprawling story of Texas.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Big Wonderful Thing: A History of Texas'? A: The main theme of 'Big Wonderful Thing' is the complex history of Texas, exploring its struggles, triumphs, and the diverse peoples who have shaped its identity over centuries.
- Q: Who is the author of the book and what is his background? A: The author is Stephen Harrigan, a New York Times best-selling author known for his deep research and engaging narrative style, focusing on Texan history and culture.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 944 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of Texas's history.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: The book is bound in hardcover, making it durable and suitable for display on shelves.
- Q: When was 'Big Wonderful Thing' published? A: The book was published on October 1, 2019.
- Q: Is this book suitable for someone interested in Texas history? A: Yes, 'Big Wonderful Thing' is highly recommended for anyone interested in Texas history, as it offers a comprehensive and engaging account of the state's past.
- Q: What accolades has the book received? A: The book won the 2020 Philosophical Society of Texas Nonfiction Book Prize and was a finalist for the 2019 Nonfiction Book Award by the Writers' League of Texas.
- Q: What can readers expect from the writing style of this book? A: Readers can expect a fast-paced writing style rich with personal observation, blending action and atmosphere with meticulous research.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations or photographs? A: The product details do not specify any illustrations or photographs; it primarily focuses on text and narrative.
- Q: Is 'Big Wonderful Thing' available in other formats besides hardcover? A: The product details provided only reference the hardcover edition; other formats may be available but are not specified.