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Exploring the Edges of Texas
In 1955, Frank X. Tolbert, a well-known columnist for the Dallas Morning News , circumnavigated Texas with his nine-year-old-son in a Willis Jeep. The column he phoned in to the newspaper about his adventures, "Tolbert's Texas," was a staple of Walt Davis's childhood. Fifty years later, Walt and his wife, Isabel, have re-explored portions of Tolbert’s trek along the boundaries of Texas.
The border of Texas is longer than the Amazon River, running through ten distinct ecological zones as it outlines one of the most familiar shapes in geography. According to the Davises, "Driving its every twist and turn would be like driving from Miami to Los Angeles by way of New York."
Each of this book’s sixteen chapters opens with an original drawing by Walt, representing a segment of the Texas border where the authors selected a special place—a national park, a stretch of river, a mountain range, or an archeological site. Using a firsthand account of that place written by a previous visitor (artist, explorer, naturalist, or archeologist), they then identified a contemporary voice (whether biologist, rancher, river-runner, or paleontologist) to serve as a modern-day guide for their journey of rediscovery. This dual perspective allows the authors to attach personal stories to the places they visited, to connect the past with the present, and to compare Texas then with Texas now.
Whether retracing botanist Charles Wright's 600-mile walk to El Paso in 1849 or paddling Houston's Buffalo Bayou, where John James Audubon saw ivory-billed woodpeckers in 1837, the Davises seek to remind readers that passionate and determined people wrote the state's natural history. Anyone interested in Texas or its rich natural heritage will find deep enjoyment in Exploring the Edges of Texas . Publication of this book is generously supported by a memorial gift in honor of Mary Frances "Chan" Driscoll, a founding member of the Advisory Council of Texas A&M University Press, by her sons Henry B. Paup '70 and T. Edgar Paup '74.
The border of Texas is longer than the Amazon River, running through ten distinct ecological zones as it outlines one of the most familiar shapes in geography. According to the Davises, "Driving its every twist and turn would be like driving from Miami to Los Angeles by way of New York."
Each of this book’s sixteen chapters opens with an original drawing by Walt, representing a segment of the Texas border where the authors selected a special place—a national park, a stretch of river, a mountain range, or an archeological site. Using a firsthand account of that place written by a previous visitor (artist, explorer, naturalist, or archeologist), they then identified a contemporary voice (whether biologist, rancher, river-runner, or paleontologist) to serve as a modern-day guide for their journey of rediscovery. This dual perspective allows the authors to attach personal stories to the places they visited, to connect the past with the present, and to compare Texas then with Texas now.
Whether retracing botanist Charles Wright's 600-mile walk to El Paso in 1849 or paddling Houston's Buffalo Bayou, where John James Audubon saw ivory-billed woodpeckers in 1837, the Davises seek to remind readers that passionate and determined people wrote the state's natural history. Anyone interested in Texas or its rich natural heritage will find deep enjoyment in Exploring the Edges of Texas . Publication of this book is generously supported by a memorial gift in honor of Mary Frances "Chan" Driscoll, a founding member of the Advisory Council of Texas A&M University Press, by her sons Henry B. Paup '70 and T. Edgar Paup '74.
- GenresNonfiction
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 6, 2019
In 1955, readers of the Dallas Morning News were treated to a series of travel columns written by staffer Frank Tolbert. Accompanied by his 9-year-old son, Tolbert set out on a journey to circumnavigate the border of Texas, an immense physical and mental trip by any set of standards. Tolbert's tales captivated a young man named Walt Davis. Some 50 years later, Walt Davis and his wife Isabel aspired to replicate Tolbert's massive undertaking, writing this fabulous and beautifully illustrated book along the way. “Exploring the Edges of Texas” is as good as regional history gets, placing this book firmly in the “must-have” column if you have any interest at all in Texana and/or general histories of the South/West.
Walt and Isabel Davis bring some impressive academic credentials to the table. Walt is an artist and art teacher, and a former director of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. He is also a former curator of exhibits for the Dallas Museum of Natural History. Isabel is a retired reference librarian at West Texas A&M and a former collection development librarian for natural sciences at the Richardson Public Library. Their backgrounds in research and natural science make them the perfect guides for this cross-disciplinary visit to some of the most far-flung areas of the state.
Now when I say cross-disciplinary, I definitely MEAN cross-disciplinary. This book covers an impressive amount of scientific ground: archeology, paleontology, ornithology, biology, botany, climatology, library science, all of these fields and more are touched upon within the pages of this book. It's an amazing journey that clearly outlines the tremendous natural heritage that lies along the borders of the massive state of Texas. From the Panhandle to the Big Bend, down to the Rio Grande Valley and up along the coastal regions, to the dense forests of East Texas and back again to the Panhandle; this book is 16 chapters of adventure and wonder. Along the way, our intrepid guides seek to understand and translate the fragile beauty and historical significance of each region.
“Exploring the Edges of Texas” is an absolute joy to read. It is apparent right from the start that both authors have a deep and genuine passion for what they do and a fierce love of the natural wonders that surround them. They give voice to the long echoes of the past, and explain what those voices mean to the present and the future of this vast borderline. It's a fantastic read, inspiring and sobering all at once. I'm certain that it will inspire a few of my family's future travels, as we seek out a few of these areas for our own adventures.
As a final note, I'd be remiss if I didn't comment on the beautiful drawings that open each chapter of this book. Done by Walt Davis, they help to illustrate the journey both past and present, the gentle drawings giving life to the people and places encountered along the way.
Walt and Isabel Davis bring some impressive academic credentials to the table. Walt is an artist and art teacher, and a former director of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. He is also a former curator of exhibits for the Dallas Museum of Natural History. Isabel is a retired reference librarian at West Texas A&M and a former collection development librarian for natural sciences at the Richardson Public Library. Their backgrounds in research and natural science make them the perfect guides for this cross-disciplinary visit to some of the most far-flung areas of the state.
Now when I say cross-disciplinary, I definitely MEAN cross-disciplinary. This book covers an impressive amount of scientific ground: archeology, paleontology, ornithology, biology, botany, climatology, library science, all of these fields and more are touched upon within the pages of this book. It's an amazing journey that clearly outlines the tremendous natural heritage that lies along the borders of the massive state of Texas. From the Panhandle to the Big Bend, down to the Rio Grande Valley and up along the coastal regions, to the dense forests of East Texas and back again to the Panhandle; this book is 16 chapters of adventure and wonder. Along the way, our intrepid guides seek to understand and translate the fragile beauty and historical significance of each region.
“Exploring the Edges of Texas” is an absolute joy to read. It is apparent right from the start that both authors have a deep and genuine passion for what they do and a fierce love of the natural wonders that surround them. They give voice to the long echoes of the past, and explain what those voices mean to the present and the future of this vast borderline. It's a fantastic read, inspiring and sobering all at once. I'm certain that it will inspire a few of my family's future travels, as we seek out a few of these areas for our own adventures.
As a final note, I'd be remiss if I didn't comment on the beautiful drawings that open each chapter of this book. Done by Walt Davis, they help to illustrate the journey both past and present, the gentle drawings giving life to the people and places encountered along the way.
May 22, 2017
Before reading this book I didn't know there are wild ocelots in southern Texas. Or there were once magnolia forests in what is now downtown Houston, and that flocks of ivory billed woodpeckers (now extinct) nested in them. The Davises have written a wonderful book about the natural history of the Texas borderlands.
January 9, 2013
Loved this book. The authors were interested in so many things on their trip and made it all interesting to the reader. I am a native Texas, and have never lived any place else. That may have colored my perception, but I believe others would enjoy this read. Really had the feeling of being along on the trip.
The authors will be at our Friends of the Library meeting next week. I am very much looking forward to meeting them.
The authors will be at our Friends of the Library meeting next week. I am very much looking forward to meeting them.
April 24, 2014
This is the approximate recreation by the authors of a trip taken by Frank X. Tolbert around the borders of Texas. It looks at the flora and fauna, but integrates the archaelogical history of the 16 different areas explored. As a native, it was fun to hear a different view of my favorite spots. In addition, it did what travel and exploration books should do. It enticed me to go exploring myself with a different view of the stories around the state.
December 2, 2012
Since I live in Texas, I always like to learn more about my home. This was good -- I did learn a lot, about its history, its geography, its people. I really did not realize there were so many human archeological sites in the state. I enjoyed the description of a canoe ride down Houston's Buffalo Bayou, and was impressed with the couple who live down in the river bottom in East Texas.
March 18, 2011
I thouroughly enjoyed this fascinating look at Texas history. The focus was mostly on the natural history and the journeys of those who recorded it. Walt Davis has the ability to tell what could be a boring story in a very engaging way.
February 6, 2018
Traveling around Texas in good company, with the many travelers who walked, rode or floated the edges in long ago--or not so long ago--time. Some of it is downright depressing--from the journal of John James Audubon,
Around noon we entered Buffalo Bayou, at the mouth of the San Jacinto River, and opposite the famous battle-ground of the same name. Proceeding smoothly up the bayou, we saw abundance of game...This bayou is unusually sluggish, deep, and bordered on both sides with a strip of woods not exceeding a mile in depth...It was here today that I found the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in abundance...
The author finds no woodpeckers and none of the exceedingly tall, majestic Magnolia trees that once lined the river. But he does find sections of nostalgic beauty, where traffic noise is hardly to be heard, and Great Egrets stalk the river banks.
There's a lot more in this book than my small brain can remember, but remember it I shall. Reread often.
Around noon we entered Buffalo Bayou, at the mouth of the San Jacinto River, and opposite the famous battle-ground of the same name. Proceeding smoothly up the bayou, we saw abundance of game...This bayou is unusually sluggish, deep, and bordered on both sides with a strip of woods not exceeding a mile in depth...It was here today that I found the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in abundance...
The author finds no woodpeckers and none of the exceedingly tall, majestic Magnolia trees that once lined the river. But he does find sections of nostalgic beauty, where traffic noise is hardly to be heard, and Great Egrets stalk the river banks.
There's a lot more in this book than my small brain can remember, but remember it I shall. Reread often.
May 15, 2019
This was a view in 16 parts of areas around the perimeter of Texas. The authors descriptions of their travels was quite prosaic, and not especially enlightening. The Texas of the 1800s bears little resemblance to the Texas of the present.
The authors decided to find places with history and travel there to find them, even though these places may have been obliterated.
For example, in 1845 Lt. J.W. Abert surveyed the Texas Panhandle. Unfortunately, he kept a diary, which led the authors in an unsuccessful search to find where they camped.
The 16 chapters did contain some interesting stories of the early residents of Texas, and the land that existed then.
The book could have been shortened if they simply told us these stories without the detail of their travels, including such comments as: "After a quick breakfast we pack a lunch and drive to our morning rendezvous."
The authors decided to find places with history and travel there to find them, even though these places may have been obliterated.
For example, in 1845 Lt. J.W. Abert surveyed the Texas Panhandle. Unfortunately, he kept a diary, which led the authors in an unsuccessful search to find where they camped.
The 16 chapters did contain some interesting stories of the early residents of Texas, and the land that existed then.
The book could have been shortened if they simply told us these stories without the detail of their travels, including such comments as: "After a quick breakfast we pack a lunch and drive to our morning rendezvous."
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews