Galveston: A History

by David G. McComb

On the Gulf edge of Texas between land and sea stands Galveston Island. Shaped continually by wind and water, it is one of earth's ongoing creations—time is forever new. Here, on the shoreline, embraced by the waves, a person can still feel the heartbeat of nature. And yet, for all the idyllic possibilities, Galveston's history has been anything but tranquil. Across Galveston's sands have walked Indians, pirates, revolutionaries, the richest men of nineteenth-century Texas, soldiers, sailors, bootleggers, gamblers, prostitutes, physicians, entertainers, engineers, and preservationists. Major events in the island's past include hurricanes, yellow fever, smuggling, vice, the Civil War, the building of a medical school and port, raids by the Texas Rangers, and, always, the struggle to live in a precarious location. A History is at the forefront of a trend in writing urban biographies emphasizing technology as the dynamic force in urban development. David McComb explores this often contradictory relationship between technology and the city, and provides a guide to both Galveston history and the dynamics of urban development.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

David G. McComb taught United States history, world history, sports history, and the history of technology at Colorado State University, where he retired as a professor emeritus in 2002. He has published fourteen books, including the award-winning Galveston: A History; Texas, a Modern History; and Spare Time in Texas: Recreation and History in the Lone Star State.

Reviews

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

David G. McComb’s Galveston, a History is indeed a history book. Filled with carefully researched materials, it tells the story of Galveston, Texas, from its earliest days to the present—or at least the present at the time the book was published in 1986. Once the finest and most important city in Texas, Galveston has a rich story to tell. What makes this history book so important, though, is its readability. This is no dry lecture on an island city, it is filled with anecdotes and obscure facts. McComb has quite an achievement here, and having recently done research on Galveston for a book I’m writing, I must say this one stands above the rest of the accounts out there.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical read, supported by well-researched records and documentation. If you want to know how Galveston developed, this is the best source.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

NF
215 pages

A historic and interesting
look at Galveston.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the writing is a bit stilted and stodgy, this serviceable volume provided a thorough overview of Galveston history. Especially noteworthy and commendable are the author's attempts to include not just the high-society and political story, but the story of the people, whether they be found at the top of the finest clubs or the bottom of the dirtiest gutter.

[Paige Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Not a typical dry history. Bought McCombs' History of Houston and AModern History of Texas because I enjoyed this so much.

[Nana Kitteh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading it but it's a bit dry. He tells some stories but falls into listing out things like hurricanes and when they happened and names of people.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in the history of Galveston.