A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles: A History of Politics and Race in Texas

by Bill Minutaglio

Finalist, 2021 Writers’ League of Texas Book Award For John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner, there was one simple rule in politics: “You’ve got to bloody your knuckles.” It’s a maxim that applies in so many ways to the state of Texas, where the struggle for power has often unfolded through underhanded politicking, backroom dealings, and, quite literally, bloodshed. The contentious history of Texas politics has been shaped by dangerous and often violent events, and been formed not just in the halls of power but by marginalized voices omitted from the official narratives. A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles traces the state’s conflicted and dramatic evolution over the past 150 years through its pivotal political players, including oft-neglected women and people of color. Beginning in 1870 with the birth of Texas’s modern political framework, Bill Minutaglio chronicles Texas political life against the backdrop of industry, the economy, and race relations, recasting the narrative of influential Texans. With journalistic verve and candor, Minutaglio delivers a contemporary history of the determined men and women who fought for their particular visions of Texas and helped define the state as a potent force in national affairs.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

392 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Justin Bitner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great (though at times tragic) chronicle of the political and racial history of Texas. I liked the organization of the chapters by decade. The crazy thing is, there are a lot of things that have not really changed even over dozens and dozens of years.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t love the way this was written - hopping around between various Texas political figures but something about it made it very readable. Essential reading for non-native Texans now living here and trying to figure out how we arrived at this political moment and maybe some hope for getting out of it.

[Laura Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Political history is generally not my cup of tea, but I really enjoyed this book. I think part of it was the excellent writing. Always trust a journalist to know how to string a sentence together in a riveting way. I suppose it didn't hurt that it was a political history of Texas, which let's face it, had some really fascinating and quirky characters. Very informative. I highly recommend it.

[Aliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a crazy ambitious project to paint 150 years of Texas history in broad strokes bu way of narrow vignettes.
It didn't fully work: transitions were sudden and seemingly inexplicable; people were mentioned in earlier sections as if readers were familiar with them but only delved into later; connections between the players were often tenuous.
A big map of Texas would be a great addition.

It wasn't an easy read.
But it was worth it for the panoramic perspective, the insight that the more things change the more they stay the same.

[Lone Star Literary Life]

Reviewed by Si Dunn for Lone Star Literary Life.

[Harris McClamroch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Texas history. Story is framed around short biographies of a diverse collection of individual Texans. Well done and engaging.