Imperial Texas: An Interpretive Essay in Cultural Geography

by D.W. Meinig, D.W. Meing

Imperial Texas examines the development of Texas as a human region, from the simple outline of the Spanish colony to the complex patterns of the modern state. In this study in cultural geography set into a historical framework, D. W. Meinig discusses the "various peoples of Texas, who they are, where they came from, where they settled, and how they are proportioned one to another from place to place." After examining the historical framework, he then presents detailed analyses of the major regions of modem Texas and an over-all characterization of the state and its people. He concludes that, although Texas has never been the empire that it has sometimes been called, "nevertheless... Texas is something more than just one-fourteenth of the American area, one-twentieth of the American people, and one-fiftieth of the American union."

Genres: History

145 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1968

About the author

Donald William Meinig was an American geographer who made influential contributions to historical, regional, and cultural geography, and who served for decades as Maxwell Research Professor of Geography at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Educated at Georgetown University and the University of Washington, he began his academic career at the University of Utah before holding a Fulbright position at the University of Adelaide in 1958, later joining Syracuse University in 1960, where he remained until his retirement in 2004. At Syracuse, he chaired the geography department, trained more than twenty doctoral students, and helped shape the Maxwell School. His scholarship reflected both western American and national themes, producing pioneering studies on the Mormon cultural region, Texas, and the Southwest, while his most ambitious work was the four-volume The Shaping of America, published over nearly two decades, offering a sweeping interpretation of the nation’s geographic development. He also collaborated with his former student John Garver on thematic regional maps for the National Geographic Society, reaching millions of readers. Meinig’s honors included Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships, the Charles P. Daly Medal of the American Geographical Society, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the British Academy. His work combined rigorous scholarship with literary sensibility, leaving a lasting impact on geography.

Reviews

[Daniel Recinos]

Since COVID (North) Texas has undergone an explosion in population, especially from California, Florida, and New England. The Texan mythos is the main draw for people clamoring to “be Texan” and as this essay explains, the True Texan is more of an internal fiction of the uniqueness of Texan identity when in reality present Texas is more ‘Americanized’ than ever.

Dare I say it, diversity is really the definer of Texan identity and due to the political dominance of the present coalition, those that find themselves in that in-group have made their way here in search for that “Texan” life. In actuality they’re living within propaganda. A romanticized 21st century invention of Texas whilst the diverse core of Texas is sidelined. The politically dominant group has invited specific people that can absorb and pass on these ideals to the next generation and so it continues.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old history books have a way of laying bare some dynamics that are swept under the rug by the time you go to school. This book is the kind of ambitious project that seems to have fallen out of popularity in the last 15 years. seems like most history or cultural anthropology is hyper local or super large and total - grand theories of everything. This book is one of those that splits Texas into 5 geographic regions, settled by white people at different times and for different reasons. i appreciated the context, and would recommend for anyone trying to deepen their knowledge of texas history, but probably not ideal for a beginner to the subject.