Texas: An American History

by Benjamin Heber Johnson

An exploration of the multifaceted characters and complex events that have defined the Lone Star State from its inception through today
 
When Americans turn on their laptops, play video games, go to church, vote, eat TexMex, shop for groceries, listen to music, grill steaks, or watch football, they are, knowingly or not, paying tribute to Texas. Tracing the profound and surprising story of the Lone Star State, Benjamin Heber Johnson shines new light on why Texas has had such a powerful influence on U.S. history.
 
Texas is known to outsiders for mob violence, swaggering self-conception, and conservative politics, but Johnson reveals that the state has also been on the forefront of taming frontier violence, establishing LGBTQ rights, and developing modern businesses such as organic food and personal computing. Neither looking away from the dark chapters of Texas history nor letting them overshadow the achievements of democracy and pluralism that are some of the state’s greatest legacies, Johnson offers a balanced and inclusive history of an often contentious and stereotyped region, covering such topics as the persistence of Native Americans, the frontier story of the Alamo, agrarian populism, racial segregation, the state’s porous border with Mexico, and the way historical memory continues to shape the state’s identity. The reality of Texas, Johnson shows us, is even bigger than we think it is.

Genres: History, Audiobook

392 pages, Hardcover

Published February 25, 2025

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read — I felt like I knew the place better afterward.

[Completelybanned · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio. Academics can often get into this trap of writing a book they want the general public to read that actually ends up being a cryptic message to other academics. "Here's what you should care about" they declare. "Here's how I would explain things if I held all the strings." Johnson's history of Texas brings this impulse together with a fervent desire to speak to our contemporary political landscape. Think Texas is the leader in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation? Well guess what, a lawyer actually challenged the anti-sodomy law in the late 60s. Think everyone in the state is a gun-toting fanatic? Texas has pioneered gun control legislation since the late 19th century when it attempted to reign in its renegade and violent population. And finally, religion. Today, many influential players in Texas politics advocate for bibles in classrooms, but many years ago Texans firmly held that church and state should be separated. In this way, Johnson's history gains momentum as it progresses. He is not trying to minimize the grislier aspects of Texas history, but he is insistent on weaving in the perspective of all Texans. A second major theme is his stress on how Texas related to the wider United States. The first half of the book feels a little shallow, and his greatest strength is certainly the post Civil War history of Texas. All the same, I think many will be satisfied by his attempt to show the diverse strains of Texas, sometimes in conflict, other times in alignment.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author states, A history of Texas. He understands there are many and this book is meant to take an approach to that understanding of history can support us in interpreting the events that surround us today. Underlying the larger-than-life legends is a more diverse and darker truth in history which Johnson peels back the facade to expose, however in a gentle manner.

From the ancients to the Alamo and its current plaza redesign, Johnson weaves a tapestry of the beauty and the bitter that comprise the history of his home state. Told as a native son, yet honest about the shortcomings, this book is sure to rile those who espouse the arrogance of those who claim we did it alone and we can do it again.

Academic without being tedious, this well-told tale of Texas history is a must read for both those who love the state and those who love to hate the state.

[Jim Collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, highly readable, history of Texas that includes many interesting, as well as lesser known, stories. The primary point is well-made: "You have to know about the Texas past if you want to understand the United States as a whole." Again and again, Johnson points out examples of how Texas individual or organizations have shaped the nation's history. My only complaint was with the book's binding, not its content. My copy kept trying to fall apart and separate from its backing. I hope my copy was a fluke. If not, something went wrong with the printing. But a great and fascinating read.

[Aaron Petta]

Benjamin Johnson delivers a broad and easy-to-follow narrative of Texas history; his attempts to focus on broad objectivity benefit those unfamiliar with the subject. As a native Texan who grew up with a far more romanticized education of Texas history, Johnson paints a clear picture of both the complexity and diversity of Texas conflicts, highlighting the intention and reasoning for the Texas Revolution and the many different ideals exploding across the massive state in its development.

[Natalie Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[D. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent supplement to what I was taught in 7th grade.