Texas history reaches far back in time by North American standards. It is fascinating by anyone's measure. Modern Texas is woven from the frayed but still firm-and always colorful-strands of its rich past. Few other states have so many varied regions with such distinct local flavors. In these pages, the past and present are brought to life by a man well qualified to lasso the immensity of Texas and bring it under his calm control. Texas means "friendly,"...