A Journey through Texas: Or a Saddle-Trip on the Southwestern Frontier

Name: A Journey through Texas: Or a Saddle-Trip on the Southwestern Frontier
Price: 8.95 USD
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Book Synopsis: Before he became America's foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) was by turns a surveyor, merchant seaman, farmer, magazine publisher, and traveling newspaper correspondent. In 1856–57 he took a saddle trip through Texas to see the country and report on its lands and peoples. His description of the Lone Star State on the eve of the Civil War remains one of the best accounts of the American West ever published. Unvarnished by sentiment or myth making, based on firsthand observations, and backed with statistical research, Olmsted's narrative captures the manners, foods, entertainments, and conversations of the Texans, as well as their housing, agriculture, business, exotic animals, changeable weather, and the pervasive influence of slavery. Back and forth from the Sabine to the Rio Grande, through San Augustine, Nacogdoches, San Marcos, San Antonio, Neu-Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Lavaca, Indianola, Goliad, Castroville, La Grange, Houston, Harrisburg, and Beaumont, Olmsted rode and questioned and listened and reported. Texas was then already a multiethnic and multiracial state, where Americans, Germans, Mexicans, Africans, and Indians of numerous tribes mixed uneasily. Olmsted interviewed planters, scouts, innkeepers, bartenders, housewives, drovers, loafers, Indian chiefs, priests, runaway slaves, and emigrants and refugees from every part of the known world—most of whom had “gone to Texas” looking for a fresh start.

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Embark on a captivating journey through the vast landscapes and vibrant cultures of Texas with "A Journey through Texas: Or a Saddle-Trip on the Southwestern Frontier." This remarkable book, penned by the renowned Frederick Law Olmsted, offers a unique perspective on the Lone Star State during the pre-Civil War era. Olmsted's firsthand observations and meticulous research provide an unvarnished account of Texas, portraying its people, customs, and way of life with unparalleled authenticity.

Without succumbing to sentimentalism or mythical embellishments, Olmsted's narrative reveals the true essence of Texas. Delve into the Texan way of life as Olmsted traverses the region, encountering a rich tapestry of cultures and diverse communities. From the bustling cities of San Antonio and Houston to the quaint towns of Fredericksburg and Goliad, Olmsted captures the spirit of the time and paints a vivid picture of the Texan experience.

Olmsted's journey takes you beyond the familiar stereotypes, as he engages with Texans from all walks of life: planters, innkeepers, Indian chiefs, runaway slaves, emigrants, and more. Witness the multiethnic and multiracial fabric of Texas society, where Americans, Germans, Mexicans, Africans, and various indigenous tribes coexist, sometimes uneasily. Through his interviews and keen observations, Olmsted exposes the true heart of Texas—a land of resilience, hope, and opportunity.

Embark on this remarkable literary expedition and immerse yourself in the captivating narrative of "A Journey through Texas." Discover the untold stories, the hidden gems, and the unforgettable characters that shaped the history of this remarkable state. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience Texas through the discerning eyes of one of America's greatest landscape architects and writers. Start your journey today!

Begin your journey through Texas now!

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