Big Wonderful Thing

By: Stephen Harrigan

Narrated by: George Guidall

The story of Texas is the story of struggle and triumph in a land of extremes. It is a story of drought and flood, invasion and war, boom and bust, and of the myriad peoples who, over centuries of conflict, gave rise to a place that has helped shape the identity of the United States and the destiny of the world.

"I couldn't believe Texas was real", the painter Georgia O'Keeffe remembered of her first encounter with the Lone Star State. It was, for her, "the same big wonderful thing that oceans and the highest mountains are."

Big Wonderful Thing invites us to walk in the footsteps of ancient as well as modern people along the path of Texas's evolution. Blending action and atmosphere with impeccable research, New York Times best-selling author Stephen Harrigan brings to life with novelistic immediacy the generations of driven men and women who shaped Texas, including Spanish explorers, American filibusters, Comanche warriors, wildcatters, Tejano activists, and spellbinding artists - all of them taking their part in the creation of a place that became not just a nation, not just a state, but an indelible idea.

Written in fast-paced prose, rich with personal observation and a passionate sense of place, Big Wonderful Thing calls to mind the literary spirit of Robert Hughes writing about Australia or Shelby Foote about the Civil War. Like those volumes it is a big book about a big subject, a book that dares to tell the whole glorious, gruesome, epically sprawling story of Texas.

©2019 Stephen Harrigan (P)2019 Recorded Books

Should be the textbook that 7th graders should read

If this were the textbook for Texas History, students would be better informed about Texas. The Texas Legislature would probably ban it because it doesn’t perpetuate the heroic Anglo myths. Maybe, some chapters could be excerpted for additional reading assignments on particular topics. It tells a story of Texas with many of its warts included. Entertaining and nicely read.

Simply outstanding.

Seriously, good. Really wonderfully read. Awfully picturesque in the descriptions and the relating of the stories.

Amazing!

Thorough, intriguing, and engaging! This is a great work of writing. I appreciated the vastness of the writing like the vastness of its subject. The narrator gave a stellar performance, causing me to laugh and to cry. At 29 hours, it is a journey, but one worth taking (especially if you live here!).

The facts without the sugarcoating

I was interested in a version of Texas history that I didn't learn in school, and that's what I got. Well worth the listen, as only George Guidall can tell it (except for the mispronunciation of Kleberg). Fascinating insights into people previously known only as heroes.

Texas history through storytelling

Loved this big book. The size of it intimidated me but once I started I found it an easy and enjoyable read. It’s all stories rather than dry history. Stories and profiles of a vast array of colorful characters. If you don’t want to read the whole thing, just pick a chapter. I’ve lived in Texas for 55 years and have an irrational love for the place. I sense the same in Harrigan.

Just wonderful! I didn't want it to end.

I had no idea what I was in for, but the confluence of Harrigan's writing and Guidall's voice is immediately mesmerizing. Mr. Harrigan made me love heroes and villains and even inanimate trees, escarpments, and old bones. He has a genius for pulling the right word like an arrow out of his vast lexicon quiver to impact everything; perfectly do-se-doing between colloquial terms, fifty cent words, and even words hitherto never written like "Fergusonian". The most magical thing Mr. Harrigan has done with this book about Texas however is he has somehow managed to make me feel as if both he and the I are discovering all of it at the same time. in other words, not only are Sam Houston, Cynthia Ann Parker, and Ann Richards "characters" in this book, our dear author is indeed a character himself; as awe-struck as Huck Finn as he navigates this river of time past characters/events. It's a long journey, but I encourage you to come along with Mr. Harrigan. I remember asking a host at a busy restaurant if it was worth the wait. She said "We ain't busy for nothin', darlin'". Well reader, this book ain't long for nothin' either. Enjoy!

Like oceans and the highest mountains...

This 28-hour compelling history of Texas is so well formulated, so craftily organized, so beautifully written, and so expertly performed that finishing it is like parting with an old friend. Since I was transplanted in Texas from Ohio as an adult, I never knew the depth and breadth of this state’s story. Now, hearing such a big, wonderful recounting as a senior citizen, I am bowled over. Having George Guidall read to me is icing on the cake.

Guidall is in top form with very good material

The book is full of interesting information and it is written well and is engaging listening. Guildall could read a telephone book and make that interesting..so given this good a book to read it is all very pleasant. You just sort of have to let some of the Austin liberal loony jibes pass you by and it is time well spent

It was indeed "Wonderful."

Great listen. Anyone who lives in the Lone Star State should find it fascinating. George's narration is great as always.

exceptional overview of Texas history

Ties the past to the present. There is humor and tragedy in these chapters.