Award-winning author Bob Alexander presents a biography of 20th-century Ranger Captain Jack Dean, who holds the distinction of being one of only five men to serve in both the Officer’s Corps of the Rangers and also as a President-appointed United States Marshal. Jack Dean’s service in Texas Ranger history occurred at a time when the institution was undergoing a philosophical revamping and restructuring, all hastened by America’s Civil Rights Movement, landmark decisions handed down by the United States Supreme Court, zooming advances in forensic technology, and focused efforts designed to diversify and professionalize the Rangers. His job choice caused him to circulate in the duplicitous underworld of dishonesty and criminality where twisted self-interest overrode compliance with societal norms. His biography is packed with true-crime calamities: double murders, single murders, negligent homicides, suicides, jailbreaks, manhunts, armed robberies and home invasions, kidnappings, public corruption, sexual assaults, illicit gambling, car-theft rings, dope smuggling, and arms trafficking. “Bob Alexander personally interviewed Jack Dean, a renowned Texas lawman who wore a badge for forty-three years. These conversations form the core of a well-researched and fascinating account of Lone Star justice from the mid-twentieth century into the new millennium.” —Darren L. Ivey, author of The Ranger …

Established in Waco in 1968, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum honors the iconic Texas Rangers, a service that has existed, in one form or another, since 1823. They have become legendary symbols of Texas and the American West. In The Ranger Ideal Volume 2: Texas Rangers in the Hall of Fame, 1874-1930, Darren L. Ivey presents the twelve inductees who served Texas in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Ivey begins with John B. Jones, who directed his Rangers from state troops to professional lawmen; then covers Leander H. McNelly, John B. Armstrong, James B. Gillett, Jesse Lee Hall, George W. Baylor, Bryan Marsh, and Ira Aten—the men who were responsible for some of the Rangers’ most legendary feats. Ivey concludes with James A. Brooks, William J. McDonald, John R. Hughes, and John H. Rogers, the “Four Great Captains” who guided the Texas Rangers into the twentieth century. The Ranger Ideal presents the true stories of these intrepid men who fought to tame a land with gallantry, grit, and guns.

In 1868, four treasure hunters from San Marcos, Texas, searched for a lost mine on the San Saba River, near today’s Menard. It was popularized as folklore in J. Frank Dobie’s treasure legend classic Coronado’s Children. One hundred and fifty years later, a descendant of one of those four men set out to discover the history behind the legend. This book recounts that search, from the founding of the ill-fated 1757 mission on the San Saba River up to the last attempt, in 1990, to find the treasure in this particular legend. It describes Jim Bowie, a fake treasure map industry, murder trials, a rattlesnake dancer, fortunes lost, a very long Texas cave, and surprising twists to the story popularized by Dobie. The book will not lead anyone to the legendary ten-thousand pounds of silver, but it will open a treasure trove of Texas history and the unique characters who hunted the fabulous riches.

Ben Thompson was a remarkable man, and few Texans can claim to have crowded more excitement, danger, drama, and tragedy into their lives than he did. He was an Indian fighter, Texas Ranger, Confederate cavalryman, mercenary for a foreign emperor, hired gun for a railroad, an elected lawman, professional gambler, and the victor of numerous gunfights. As a leading member of the Wild West’s sporting element, Ben Thompson spent most of his life moving in the unsavory underbelly of the West: saloons, dance-houses, billiard halls, bordellos, and gambling dens. During these travels many of the Wild West’s most famous icons—Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin, John Ringo, and Buffalo Bill Cody—became acquainted with Ben Thompson. Some of these men called him a friend; others considered him a deadly enemy. In life and in death no one ever doubted Ben Thompson’s courage; one Texas newspaperman asserted he was “perfectly fearless, a perfect lion in nature when aroused.” This willingness to trust his life to his expertise with a pistol placed Thompson prominently among the western frontier’s most flamboyant breed of men: gunfighters.

From 1840 through 1844 East Texas was wracked by murderous violence between Regulator and Moderator factions. More than thirty men were killed in assassinations, lynchings, ambushes, street fights, and pitched battles. The sheriff of Harrison County was murdered, and so was the founder of Marshall, as well as a former district judge. Senator Robert Potter, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, was slain by Regulators near his Caddo Lake home. Courts ceased to operate and anarchy reigned in Shelby County, Panola District, and Harrison County. Only the personal intervention of President Sam Houston and an invasion of the militia of the Republic of Texas halted the bloodletting. The Regulator-Moderator War was the first and largest of the many blood feuds of Texas. Bill O'Neal includes rosters of names of the Regulator and Moderator factions arranged by the counties in which the individuals were associated, along with a roster of the victims of the war.

Booklet discussing the history of the sister-city relationship between Austin, Texas and Saltillo, Mexico from 1968 to 2018. There are several photos from sister-city events.

Collection of anecdotes by the author describing her family and memories of growing up in Utopia, Texas.

Biographical account of the Dieterich Family's life in Texas from around 1834 to 1860, including details concerning the Santa Fe Expedition. Index begins on page 207.

Book examining the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, captured at age nine by Comanche Indians. This study looks at her life during her time with the Comanches, including her marriage to Peta Nocona, and her subsequent recapture by white soldiers when she was thirty-four.

Book discussing with San Antonio's Fiesta de San Jacinto, held in April, and Honey Merrick's relationship with the celebration.

Reminiscences from Elizabeth Owens' daughters discussing her life and the history of the town of Victoria, Texas.

Historical narrative of the life of Ellen Talbot and the region of Texas the author calls the "Deep South of Texas," meaning that area near the Gulf that combines elements of the West with those of the Deep South.

Fictional narrative featuring characters Deacon Speckham, Matilda Markham, and various historical individuals.

Story of Ann Thompson Morriss, born in Mississippi, who moved to Texas with her family in 1848. The book covers the family's arrival to America through Morriss's life and teaching career in the state.

Book highlighting the life and times of James Britton Bailey, who first came to Texas in 1818. This work covers his interactions with Stephen F. Austin, and his journeys through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Index starts on page 131.

Autobiographical account of living on a Texas ranch in the Edwards Plateau area.

Book discussing the history of Texas and of the creation of the Lone Star Flag by Joanna Elizabeth Troutman, which was lost at Goliad after the massacre there.

Biographical account of the Kelsey Family's arrival to Texas and their adoption of Hannah Rebecca Allen. The book spans the time period from their arrival through World War One. Index begins on page 177.

Story of the lives of Billy and Olive King Dixon in the Texas Panhandle from recollections and historical research. This book covers their marriage, parenthood, home building, etc. in the Texas Panhandle. Index begins on page 275.

Historical narrative of the live of Jane Wilkinson Long, wife of James Long who led a filibustering attempt into Texas in 1819. This work covers her early marriage life in Louisiana and her subsequent life in Texas.

Book discussing the rise and fall of a Quaker settlement on the Llano Estacado, which Paris Cox founded in the early 1880s.

Study of the history of women's education in Texas. This work discusses the foundations of education in Texas and the factors that influenced the growth of women's education within the state. The index begins on page 179.

Book discussing the role of Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker, originally born in Petersburg, Virginia, who worked to expand the woman's place in American society. Index begins on page 359.

Fictional story of the relationship between characters Jim and Fanny.