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How to Be a Texan: The Manual
There are certain things every Texan should know how to do and say, whether your Lone Star roots reach all the way back to the 1836 Republic or you were just transplanted here yesterday. Some of these may be second nature to you, but others . . . well, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a few handy hints if, say, branding the herd or hosting a tamalada aren’t your usual pastimes. That’s where How to Be a Texan can help. In a friendly, lighthearted style, Andrea Valdez offers illustrated, easy-to-follow steps for dozens of authentic Texas activities and sayings. In no time, you’ll be talking like a Texan and dressing the part; hunting, fishing, and ranching; cooking your favorite Texas dishes; and dancing cumbia and two-step. You’ll learn how to take a proper bluebonnet photo and build a Día de los Muertos altar, and you’ll have a bucket list of all the places Texans should visit in their lifetime. Not only will you know how to do all these things, you’ll finish the book with a whole new appreciation for what it means to be a Texan and even more pride in saying “I’m from Texas” anywhere you wander in the world.
- GenresHumorNonfiction
206 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
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78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 21, 2020
It was okay. It had a lot more about hunting, slaughtering, and cooking animals than I would personally have liked, but I guess I'm not really all that Texan. I enjoyed the bits about Big Bend and other natural areas, though.
March 9, 2019
Entertaining. Possibly educational? I just moved to Texas so I figured I should read the manual. I'm not sure it taught me anything I really needed to know, but it was fun reading!
October 9, 2016
Proud to say I was familiar, if not an expert, on all subjects covered. The ins and outs of life in our state can never be summarized in one book, but Valdez does a good job of hitting the highlights and explaining some of the traditions.
February 15, 2020
Rolled to 3.5 Stars
I’ve grown up in Texas, born and raised living in different regions within this vast state. This book offers rudimentary information some Texans probably don’t even know, i.e., liking branding cattle to touring the state capital, as well as information we've taken for granted.
The book’s layout is interactive and easy for readers to quickly reference. It’s positive that additional references were given for a reader to follow for further reading. Well-detailed illustrations complement the book chapters beautifully.
The book is broken down in easy to read sections. One section on common sayings referenced has never been heard by this Texan, with the most striking, “It’s drier than a popcorn fart.” I seriously would love to know who came up with that statement. The book also covers all the bases from sports, celebrations, from touching briefly on ranching history to hunting and fishing. It even details the MacDonald Observatory offering public star parties.
Some of our Texas towns appear to have straightforward pronunciations, but in fact, they are odd. By the author sharing the pronunciation of these unique town names will help even Texans who’ve lived here all their lives who still mispronounce those names, because most of these towns that I recall don’t have a welcome sign like Quitaque that shows you how to pronounce its name.
We all see relaxation in different ways and How to Be Texan covers the best basics from tailgating, floating down the river to two-stepping, with Playing 42 still being played by the older generation. The tourist destinations selected by the author represent some of the best in Texas from Big Bend National Park to the eclectic Cadillac Ranch. The state capital is a must-see for any Texan and is confusing to get around and the author offers excellent tips on getting the most out of your tour.
Overall, the best chapter is the food chapter, which covers a variety of foods all visitors and Texans must try from the King Ranch chicken casserole to kolaches.
Better facts could’ve been presented in some instances because it's not only South Texas girls who celebrate their 15th birthdays with quinceañeras, you find these celebrations throughout Texas. Building a barbed wire fence would have been enhanced by a sentence or two on the invention of the barbed wire because a general reader not knowing the history will think John Gates invented it.
While this book was researched well and provides a variety of information, you cannot become a Texan by reading a book, however, you can get a better sense of what we have experienced by living here in this wide-open state.
I’ve grown up in Texas, born and raised living in different regions within this vast state. This book offers rudimentary information some Texans probably don’t even know, i.e., liking branding cattle to touring the state capital, as well as information we've taken for granted.
The book’s layout is interactive and easy for readers to quickly reference. It’s positive that additional references were given for a reader to follow for further reading. Well-detailed illustrations complement the book chapters beautifully.
The book is broken down in easy to read sections. One section on common sayings referenced has never been heard by this Texan, with the most striking, “It’s drier than a popcorn fart.” I seriously would love to know who came up with that statement. The book also covers all the bases from sports, celebrations, from touching briefly on ranching history to hunting and fishing. It even details the MacDonald Observatory offering public star parties.
Some of our Texas towns appear to have straightforward pronunciations, but in fact, they are odd. By the author sharing the pronunciation of these unique town names will help even Texans who’ve lived here all their lives who still mispronounce those names, because most of these towns that I recall don’t have a welcome sign like Quitaque that shows you how to pronounce its name.
We all see relaxation in different ways and How to Be Texan covers the best basics from tailgating, floating down the river to two-stepping, with Playing 42 still being played by the older generation. The tourist destinations selected by the author represent some of the best in Texas from Big Bend National Park to the eclectic Cadillac Ranch. The state capital is a must-see for any Texan and is confusing to get around and the author offers excellent tips on getting the most out of your tour.
Overall, the best chapter is the food chapter, which covers a variety of foods all visitors and Texans must try from the King Ranch chicken casserole to kolaches.
Better facts could’ve been presented in some instances because it's not only South Texas girls who celebrate their 15th birthdays with quinceañeras, you find these celebrations throughout Texas. Building a barbed wire fence would have been enhanced by a sentence or two on the invention of the barbed wire because a general reader not knowing the history will think John Gates invented it.
While this book was researched well and provides a variety of information, you cannot become a Texan by reading a book, however, you can get a better sense of what we have experienced by living here in this wide-open state.
October 22, 2022
I was born and raised in Texas and have lived here most of my adult life. I haven't quite spotted what it is about this book that I find so very irritating. It doesn't strike me as authentic although the writer claims to have grown up in Texas and lived here many years. The book feels as if she's writing what someone else told her about Texas. There's no authenticity to what she's saying, even though most of it seems accurate. This book just misses the mark.
October 10, 2021
Must Read for Californians
Great quick overall guide for living in Texas. This book could have been thicker where read a similar book where it was over 900 pages. I did learn a few obscure things while reading it and does give some great tips. Recommend it for any implants or tourist visiting the State of Texas.
Great quick overall guide for living in Texas. This book could have been thicker where read a similar book where it was over 900 pages. I did learn a few obscure things while reading it and does give some great tips. Recommend it for any implants or tourist visiting the State of Texas.
December 30, 2019
From barbecue to building a barbed-wire fence, Andrea Valdez breaks down the basics every Texan should know – whether you're a native or a transplant. Funny and informative, Valdez has delivered a housewarming gift for every new friend that moves into your neighborhood from out-of-state.
September 14, 2017
Loved this one! As a new resident of the state I found this book informative, good humored and quite charming.
June 10, 2023
I think I learned some things!
April 18, 2025
a sosobook. like an intro book to texas living
May 16, 2016
I love this book.
As author Andrea Valdez says in the introduction, she deliberately curates "what some might consider a Texas experience that kowtows to the clichés of our state." Yes! Yes she does! Valdez goes on to say, "just as there’s more than one way to skin a deer, there’s more than one way to be Texan." Yes! Yes there is! And that is the crux of this book.
"Becoming a Texan is a lifelong process and isn’t simply a matter of checking off items on a list . . ."
This reader is Texas born and has spent 42 of her 49 years in the state. Reading How to Be a Texan: The Manual gave me lots of reminders from my childhood and growing up in Texas. Valdez reminded me that even as a city girl, I have a pretty full Texan experience under my belt (and buckle that during some phases of life was indeed the size of a small dinner plate). We had family friends with ranches and dove hunting leases; Dad and some buddies bought-in on an oil pump jack (there was a reason it was for sale --it might have pumped a half a barrel in 1972) and he had a cow (Snowball, who ended up in portions in our freezer). My sister had a horse that, like Snowball, was kept just out of city limits, and she barrel raced. I never missed the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; I went to Billy Bob's where I wore my boots; I ate (eat) black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, and I desperately wanted Big Texas Hair and to be a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader (never achieved either). The point is that despite my decidedly Texan experiences thus far, mine are just one version of what it is to be Texan.
How to Be a Texan had me nodding in agreement, laughing out loud (steer head in the fridge much?), and calling down the hall (to my Texan husband) "Hey, listen to this . . ." on numerous occasions. The section on Texas phrasology is great, and we both had heard and used all of them except the one about the weather "being drier than a popcorn fart," which may just get added in to the rotation.
There is also plenty to learn in the book. I have a new appreciation for what is involved in making tamales and will be certain to ask whether barbacoa is authentic before I order it again (and will pass if I'm told yes - ick). I passed the town pronunciation test with flying colors, (disagree with ending of Nacogdoches being 'chess, though), and would add the town of Alief (pronounced 'A-Leaf' with 'A' rhyming with bay) to the list. I didn't know that:
- there's no period in Dr Pepper,
- there is an American Society of Dowsers,
- Rattlesnakes control their venom release when they bite, or
- there are new alcohol regulations for floating on the river (no jello shots?)
Valdez has included some "further reading" recommendations at the end of each section, more than a few of which I noted for the TBR pile. In matters where there are disputing opinions, unclear origins, or evolving interpretations, Valdez is unbiased and presents all sides evenly. That, along with her exceptionally good writing and thorough research, seal the deal on why I LOVE THIS BOOK.
The icing on the cake is the illustrations, created by Abi Daniel. The simple pencil sketches are a great enhancement to the text. I enjoyed that many of the sketches depicted females doing everything from shooting a .22 to field dressing a deer, which allowed me to live vicariously, as I have never done either.
How to Be a Texan is a whole lot of fun and my only suggestion would be that it be titled "A Manual" instead of "THE Manual" since there's no way there will ever be agreement on any one way to be a Texan.
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and UT Press for giving me an eBook in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. Full review, more about the author, and other features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
As author Andrea Valdez says in the introduction, she deliberately curates "what some might consider a Texas experience that kowtows to the clichés of our state." Yes! Yes she does! Valdez goes on to say, "just as there’s more than one way to skin a deer, there’s more than one way to be Texan." Yes! Yes there is! And that is the crux of this book.
"Becoming a Texan is a lifelong process and isn’t simply a matter of checking off items on a list . . ."
This reader is Texas born and has spent 42 of her 49 years in the state. Reading How to Be a Texan: The Manual gave me lots of reminders from my childhood and growing up in Texas. Valdez reminded me that even as a city girl, I have a pretty full Texan experience under my belt (and buckle that during some phases of life was indeed the size of a small dinner plate). We had family friends with ranches and dove hunting leases; Dad and some buddies bought-in on an oil pump jack (there was a reason it was for sale --it might have pumped a half a barrel in 1972) and he had a cow (Snowball, who ended up in portions in our freezer). My sister had a horse that, like Snowball, was kept just out of city limits, and she barrel raced. I never missed the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; I went to Billy Bob's where I wore my boots; I ate (eat) black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, and I desperately wanted Big Texas Hair and to be a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader (never achieved either). The point is that despite my decidedly Texan experiences thus far, mine are just one version of what it is to be Texan.
How to Be a Texan had me nodding in agreement, laughing out loud (steer head in the fridge much?), and calling down the hall (to my Texan husband) "Hey, listen to this . . ." on numerous occasions. The section on Texas phrasology is great, and we both had heard and used all of them except the one about the weather "being drier than a popcorn fart," which may just get added in to the rotation.
There is also plenty to learn in the book. I have a new appreciation for what is involved in making tamales and will be certain to ask whether barbacoa is authentic before I order it again (and will pass if I'm told yes - ick). I passed the town pronunciation test with flying colors, (disagree with ending of Nacogdoches being 'chess, though), and would add the town of Alief (pronounced 'A-Leaf' with 'A' rhyming with bay) to the list. I didn't know that:
- there's no period in Dr Pepper,
- there is an American Society of Dowsers,
- Rattlesnakes control their venom release when they bite, or
- there are new alcohol regulations for floating on the river (no jello shots?)
Valdez has included some "further reading" recommendations at the end of each section, more than a few of which I noted for the TBR pile. In matters where there are disputing opinions, unclear origins, or evolving interpretations, Valdez is unbiased and presents all sides evenly. That, along with her exceptionally good writing and thorough research, seal the deal on why I LOVE THIS BOOK.
The icing on the cake is the illustrations, created by Abi Daniel. The simple pencil sketches are a great enhancement to the text. I enjoyed that many of the sketches depicted females doing everything from shooting a .22 to field dressing a deer, which allowed me to live vicariously, as I have never done either.
How to Be a Texan is a whole lot of fun and my only suggestion would be that it be titled "A Manual" instead of "THE Manual" since there's no way there will ever be agreement on any one way to be a Texan.
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and UT Press for giving me an eBook in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. Full review, more about the author, and other features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
March 5, 2017
As a Texan-by-marriage I've been reading as many books about Tecas culture as I can find. I read this book in a day. Thanks for the wisdom, the laughs and the what-the-hecks Mrs. Valdez. I foresee going back to read parts of your book for many years to come.
July 19, 2016
Well that was fun.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews