First published 2018
Lawrence Wright turns his investigative lens on Texas, the state that shaped him. The Pulitzer Prize winner examines how Texas embodies America's contradictions. The state hasn't elected a Democrat statewide in over two decades, yet minorities now outnumber whites. Its cities rank among the nation's most diverse while rural areas remain deeply conservative. Texas leads California in technology exports even as oil continues to dominate its identity. Wright scrutinizes the Texas economic model of low taxes and light regulation, which has driven remarkable growth while creating vast income gaps. He explores how this red state in Trump country also houses the largest Muslim population and how its political future may preview America's destiny. Wright combines a native's insider knowledge with sharp analytical skills, challenging stereotypes while revealing uncomfortable truths. His investigation shows how Texas reflects what America is today and what it might become tomorrow.
Genres: american, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: insider-knowledge
Setting: Texas
Period: 21st-century
368 pages · Hardcover · Knopf