An excellent well written book ! Being a descendent of one of the early pioneers of South Texas, this book really open up my eyes on how our early ancestors used the natural resources around them to built their homes and where proud of them. It also describes how the unity in the family helped them cope with the struggles of goverment changes. This book takes you back in time as if you where there to see it. This is a book everyone who is interested in early South Texas History must read. My hats off to Andres Tijerina.

Tijerina states that, "Tejanos founded the ranching frontier on their land grants... were the founders of the State of Texas". I agree that only Tejanos have lived and fought under six flags and that Tejanos are here to stay. Tejano Empire is a bold book, well documented, and difficult to lay aside once opened by a reader. Stories handed down for generations are finally put into print. Beasley's sketches depict tejano stories that will live forever. Bravo - Andres Tijerina and thank you.

Being a descendant of a pioneer ranch family in Duval County since the 1860's, Rancho San Buenaventura; after reading Tejano Empire it brings out the spirit of my greatgrandfather's and so many other rancheros of that era's way of life. I think this book will bring back self confidence to the many families in South Texas with ranching roots. With this book Tijerina helps fill the void of the much neglected history of the ranchos in South Texas from a Tejano point of view. The beautiful illustrations by Ricardo M. Beasley and Servando Hinojosa are also an additional plus. A definite book to add to anyones collection if you're into Texas history.

This is probably one of the most enlightening books about farming on the Plains that I have read. Farmer DeLoach kept a daily diary of his thoughts about the weather, crop prices, World War I and it's affect on life on the Plains, and other "routine" occurances. Editor Neugebauer has enhanced the content by explaining and documenting the historical events that DeLoach wrote about. For example, when farmers were shipping grain overseas during WWI, he feared starvation for people in the U.S. if the Germans kept sinking the grain shipments, yet DeLoach said no one could talk about it because of the sedition acts that had been passed. Editor Neugebauer explains the sedition acts and farmer DeLoach's fears. In another example, DeLoach mentioned that the President of the U.S. had appealed to cotton gins to shut down in an attempt to drive the price of cotton up. The attempt failed because too much of the bumper crop had already been harvested, Neugebauer explained. I found the editor's notes to be very helpful and the pen and ink illustrations to be outstanding. This book *shows* the kind of effort and persistence early farming on the Plains required.

This detailed history of the Spindletop discovery is an excellent study of the boomtown atmosphere and the men who made it happen. A must have from anyone interested in early Texas oil history.

A great storyteller, Paul N. Spellman, spins the tale of the 1901 Spindletop discovery in Jefferson County's Beaumont, Texas. Beginning with one man's idea, Patillo Higgins, that oil was there to be found in Jefferson County, the story details the struggle of making dream a reality.

Many colorful stories of events and the men who made it all happen are included from available pioneer's oral histories. From fighting natures elements, disease, insects, and oilwell fires the mental might of the 1901 oil explorer becomes apparent. Too, the detailed story of man's ingenuity while creating many first time solutions to oil well drilling is most interesting.

The book includes some of the history on nearby oilfields discovered after Spindletop, including Sour Lake, Big Thicket, Saratoga and Batson.

The book provides a very clear view of life in a 1901 boomtown after oil is discovered. Whether it's lawlessness, gambling, prostitution, whiskey, lack of fresh water, housing or food, the boomtown greed, or the Texas Rangers, its all covered.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is very emotional and heartfelt. Each interview opened my eyes to the daily life and status of slaves. I found this book very insightful and recommend anyone who has the least bit of interest in history.