Marfa for the Perplexed

by Lonn Taylor

Literary Nonfiction. Essays. Texas History. "Ranchers, artists, priests, wildlife managers, and chili aficionados, are just a few of the the people you'll meet in Lonn Taylor's rollicking and deeply affecting, Marfa for the Perplexed. Not so much a tourist guide as a reminder that everywhere has been somewhere for a very long time, Taylor moves past the where to's and why go there's, and shows a region that has lived independent from and in tandem with visitations of all kinds. This is one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time."--Gabrielle Calvocoressi, author of Rocket Fantastic: Poems and Apocalyptic Swing

282 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Lonn Taylor was an expert on "The Star-Spangled Banner" (both the national anthem and the flag) and Southwestern furniture. He was a curator and historian with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History for nearly twenty years. After retiring in 2002, he returned to his home state of Texas, where he penned a weekly newspaper column about Texas history and other stories about Texas, which he read on Marfa Public Radio. Before his death, he finished a memoir about his childhood years spent in the Philippines.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compilation of the author's articles for the local newspaper that paints a picture of life in Marfa, past and present. Some amusing anecdotes but it gets a little monotonous. I did some skimming.

[Audrey Engman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a special book and a rabbit hole I could not be gladder to have ventured down. While roaming around the otherworldly desert of the Big Bend and Marfa, I could sense the richness of its history and was, as the book keenly notes in its title, ‘perplexed’ by it. Why was there such a significant art destination in the middle of what seemed nowhere? Who really lives here and has lived here? What are people looking for when they come here? I felt that the book directly addressed me — an outsider in the region that was experiencing equal parts fascination and bewilderment with this sparsely populated desert.

I’ve always loved history, and I realized that Marfa for the Perplexed, is a beautiful paradigm of why I love it so much. History is, and should always be, a collection of stories — both of the historically accurate and of the tall tales passed down by generations — that in tandem illustrate holistic understanding. There is so much to be gained by learning both the strictly factual and the indefinite. The book also reminded me how important an ordinary person is in shaping their community and its legacy. Every chapter focused on a specific individual, story, or place and delved deeply into its intricacies. So much so that I felt like I was meeting a new friend or tangibly visiting a new site at the start of each one.

It’s clear that Lonn Taylor does a spectacular job of conversing with people and simply getting to know them. I kept pondering how fun it must have been to gather all of these stories and atoms of knowledge. Thank you so much, Lonn, for illuminating such a wonderful place to me.

[Jan Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am visiting Marfa and Big Bend, and this book was in my hotel room. I thoroughly have enjoyed it. It is a collection of essays, mostly from the author’s newspaper columns. It covers lots of history, current sites and restaurants, and a variety of characters including ranchers, artists, lawmen...
It has made my trip more interesting and has helped explain this isolated, friendly, unique place!

[matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t know that it would clear up anyone’s confusion about Marfa, and it really doesn’t try to after the first few stories. But it is interesting to read about some of the local characters in the Big Bend region.

[Maggie Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the most excellent way to consume the history of Marfans and their neighbors in surrounding areas.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lonn Taylor has a love for this part of west Texas that comes through in his delight in sharing the tales of this area. We have made a few day trips due to his stories and have many more to take.

[Laura Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of newspaper columns formerly published by the author about the people, history, and area around Marfa Texas. Cute and quirky.

[Chad Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Really explained the town of Marfa which I love and have spent some time visiting.