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Texas in Her Own Words
Texas in Her Own Words is a peek into the Texas psyche. It explains why Texans are the way they are…where all that attitude comes from. This work is the result of a statewide search for what I call the ‘T-Chromosome.” Texans are different but why? I went statewide to find the answers to three basic questions:
1) What makes Texas special?
2) Why is this place so different than anywhere else on the planet?
3) If and when it applied, what does it mean to you personally to BE a native Texan?
I share some remarkable answers with you throughout the book. In the end, I learned that all Texas share four traits or attributes. When you finish this book you will understand why Texans are the way they are. It’s a fun read.
- Tweed Scott
1) What makes Texas special?
2) Why is this place so different than anywhere else on the planet?
3) If and when it applied, what does it mean to you personally to BE a native Texan?
I share some remarkable answers with you throughout the book. In the end, I learned that all Texas share four traits or attributes. When you finish this book you will understand why Texans are the way they are. It’s a fun read.
- Tweed Scott
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 3, 2016
Texas in Her Own Words by Tweed Scott is an amazing compilation of Texans telling it like it is: what does it mean to be a Texan, and what makes Texas so special? These questions are harder to answer than most people realize. Many of the interviewees in this book say a lot of the same things, but the overarching themes are Pride and Attitude. Texans are proud of this great state’s history and diversity in people and environment. Other words I gleaned from these accounts include freedom, identity, opportunity, different (from other states), space, and friendly. I can personally relate to several Texans in this book telling people in foreign countries they’re from Texas and then watching their faces light up. Texas has a romantic mystique that’s hard to resist.
Tweed interviewed (in person and by email) many people who were born in Texas and still live here, born in Texas and live elsewhere, or born elsewhere and got to Texas in a big hurry. Texas has always been a land of opportunity and second chances (according to several accounts in this book), and all are welcome to settle here and call Texas home. There’s plenty of room!
Many people interviewed are multi-generation Texans. These people have a deep-rooted pride in Texas, and they are more than happy to give you a bit (or a lot) of their history. The first-generation Texans and the transplants have a lot to be proud of as well, so if you’re from here and love reading about Texas or are simply curious about what makes this state so great and why Texans have a Texas-size attitude about anything and everything Texas, then this book is for you. Settle in with Tweed Scott’s fascinating collection of stories from several everyday Texans (and a few famous ones too). True, this book has a lot of repetition; however, that repetition highlights the commonality among Texans because we all feel the same pride and attitude about Texas. We love our Lone Star flag, and we love the shape of our state!
How can you can spot a true Texan? He or she will be the one who is all choked up and teary eyed after seeing the flags and reading the names inside the Alamo.
A Texas-sized Thank You to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and Tweed Scott for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Tweed interviewed (in person and by email) many people who were born in Texas and still live here, born in Texas and live elsewhere, or born elsewhere and got to Texas in a big hurry. Texas has always been a land of opportunity and second chances (according to several accounts in this book), and all are welcome to settle here and call Texas home. There’s plenty of room!
Many people interviewed are multi-generation Texans. These people have a deep-rooted pride in Texas, and they are more than happy to give you a bit (or a lot) of their history. The first-generation Texans and the transplants have a lot to be proud of as well, so if you’re from here and love reading about Texas or are simply curious about what makes this state so great and why Texans have a Texas-size attitude about anything and everything Texas, then this book is for you. Settle in with Tweed Scott’s fascinating collection of stories from several everyday Texans (and a few famous ones too). True, this book has a lot of repetition; however, that repetition highlights the commonality among Texans because we all feel the same pride and attitude about Texas. We love our Lone Star flag, and we love the shape of our state!
How can you can spot a true Texan? He or she will be the one who is all choked up and teary eyed after seeing the flags and reading the names inside the Alamo.
A Texas-sized Thank You to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and Tweed Scott for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2016
Texas – I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast I could ;) A bit of an adaptation of a famous quote (from a song by Bobby Boyd); we see it on bumper stickers and t-shirts. There is something very special about Texas – the culture, the atmosphere, the people, the pride in our state’s achievements. That’s why I loved learning about the book Texas In Her Own Words.
What’s a history book without being a history book? Texas In Her Own Words is that. It is a compilation of stories and interviews from Texans telling everyone what makes Texas great. They share historical facts as well as their own experiences. They share Texas’s heart and soul, to really give an outsider the understanding of what Texas really is.
Some chapters stood out to me more than others of the ones I read. For example, Joel W. Richardson’s chapter contains a list of “rules” for moving to Texas. A fun tongue-in-cheek list of how Texans behave. Such as, Texans open doors for women. And yes, everyone drives trucks and you will get dust on your car no matter how slow you drive so move it and don’t forget to wave.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“We think of ourselves at Texans even if we’re transplanted.” Don Taylor
- SO true! Like I said, I wasn’t born here, I wasn’t even born in the States, but I’m very much Texan thankyouverymuch!
“When I get in the state of Texas I can relax because I know I am amongst friends no matter where I am.” Robert Higginbotham
- Something special about the people here just makes us connect with them. And if you’re travelling and learn someone else is from Texas? Instant friend, amIrite?
So yes, if you’re a Texan (or just wish you were) check out Texas In her Own Words. You might just find a personal story or interview that you really connect with, and can learn a lot too
What’s a history book without being a history book? Texas In Her Own Words is that. It is a compilation of stories and interviews from Texans telling everyone what makes Texas great. They share historical facts as well as their own experiences. They share Texas’s heart and soul, to really give an outsider the understanding of what Texas really is.
Some chapters stood out to me more than others of the ones I read. For example, Joel W. Richardson’s chapter contains a list of “rules” for moving to Texas. A fun tongue-in-cheek list of how Texans behave. Such as, Texans open doors for women. And yes, everyone drives trucks and you will get dust on your car no matter how slow you drive so move it and don’t forget to wave.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“We think of ourselves at Texans even if we’re transplanted.” Don Taylor
- SO true! Like I said, I wasn’t born here, I wasn’t even born in the States, but I’m very much Texan thankyouverymuch!
“When I get in the state of Texas I can relax because I know I am amongst friends no matter where I am.” Robert Higginbotham
- Something special about the people here just makes us connect with them. And if you’re travelling and learn someone else is from Texas? Instant friend, amIrite?
So yes, if you’re a Texan (or just wish you were) check out Texas In her Own Words. You might just find a personal story or interview that you really connect with, and can learn a lot too
January 26, 2008
This is by my friend Tweed Scott. I hope to get to this book in the next few weeks.
February 16, 2008
This is the best book on Texana I have read. The graphics are excellent and the interviews are historic.
May 5, 2013
This is a fantastic book, especially for anyone who loves Texas. The passion and beauty held within the pages are contagious!
February 15, 2020
In Texas in Her Own Words author, Tweed Scott combined over 60 interviews from Texans on their feelings of living in this great state. Most of the interviews are straightforward with being some actual question and answer interviews with Scott.
This book brings a varied group of people together to talk about their heartfelt feelings on Texas. Texas is a diverse state and Scott’s interviews reflect that deep diversity. You’d expect from the variety of the interviews that some repetition of Texas history and feelings will occur but it's not overbearing. Texas seceding was mentioned several times.
Hands down it's a beautiful book that includes historical snippets of Texas. It’s a good learning tool like reading about one of the oldest laws in Texas. Divided into sections from Texas history, pride, legends, diversity to customs a reader can pick and choose the sections they want to read. My one problem with the book, not all the photos were captioned. Photos tell stories in of themselves.
One of the best interviews is from the reflections by the former sheriff of Luckenbach, Texas. Another strong point is the Texas State Cemetery history section that provides remarkable information from the first person being buried there to “Old Yeller’s” author. Cemeteries are an incredible source of history. Scott did an excellent job summarizing this important history.
As one interviewee stated, “Texas is a tangible, emotional, visceral reaction.” It’s true. Scott’s book gives voice to all those feelings and more through the people he interviewed.
Scott’s book may be the most revealing book to date on Texas’ story as told through people who either were born and raised in Texas or have become permanent residents.
This book brings a varied group of people together to talk about their heartfelt feelings on Texas. Texas is a diverse state and Scott’s interviews reflect that deep diversity. You’d expect from the variety of the interviews that some repetition of Texas history and feelings will occur but it's not overbearing. Texas seceding was mentioned several times.
Hands down it's a beautiful book that includes historical snippets of Texas. It’s a good learning tool like reading about one of the oldest laws in Texas. Divided into sections from Texas history, pride, legends, diversity to customs a reader can pick and choose the sections they want to read. My one problem with the book, not all the photos were captioned. Photos tell stories in of themselves.
One of the best interviews is from the reflections by the former sheriff of Luckenbach, Texas. Another strong point is the Texas State Cemetery history section that provides remarkable information from the first person being buried there to “Old Yeller’s” author. Cemeteries are an incredible source of history. Scott did an excellent job summarizing this important history.
As one interviewee stated, “Texas is a tangible, emotional, visceral reaction.” It’s true. Scott’s book gives voice to all those feelings and more through the people he interviewed.
Scott’s book may be the most revealing book to date on Texas’ story as told through people who either were born and raised in Texas or have become permanent residents.
July 24, 2012
Never finished it as it just became too tedious. I understand the message that was being conveyed--I believe it and understand it. I just didn't like the packaging of the message. I thought the book was poorly edited and could have been organized better/differently--I can't stand finding typos in a published book--there is NO EXCUSE for that.
I love Texas. I am a Native Texan. I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't. I found some of the interviews to just be rambling and some to leave me saying, "Huh?" In many cases, it was just the same thing over and over and over and over.
Sorry Scott . . . I really tried. I did.
I love Texas. I am a Native Texan. I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't. I found some of the interviews to just be rambling and some to leave me saying, "Huh?" In many cases, it was just the same thing over and over and over and over.
Sorry Scott . . . I really tried. I did.
May 24, 2011
Being a native Texan, this book spoke to me ! It even changed my mind about where I wanted to be buried. :) I originally decided that when the time comes to put my ashes in the ground, I wanted them to be scattered over the island of Kauai, Hawaii. But after reading this book, I want to have my ashes scattered over the land where my family has farmed for more than 100 years. Love, love, love this book ! I have shared it with my brothers.
February 18, 2018
When anyone asks me why I live in Texas, I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews