Great Books about the Texas Hill Country

"Hill Country" by Janice Woods Windle is a captivating journey through the life of Laura Hoge Woods, a woman who lived over 90 years in the hill country of Texas. This novel, based on true events, takes you through Laura's encounters with Native Americans, her secret love affair with Herman Lehmann, a white boy raised by Indians, and her close relationship with Lyndon Baines Johnson, former President of the United States. Experience the tumultuous times of the late 1800s to the late 1960s through Laura's eyes as she navigates through pioneer battles, political activism, and personal trials. "Hill Country" is a testament to the strength and resilience of women, making it a must-read for those who appreciate historical fiction.

"Texas Hill Country: A Scenic Journey" by Eric Pohl is a stunning visual exploration of the Texas Hill Country. The book, beautifully captured in 153 color photos, takes readers on an intimate journey through the region's natural beauty, scenic wonders, charming historic towns, and cultural heritage. Pohl, a Texas-native photographer and author, leaves behind the freeways and big cities to reveal out-of-the-way places and explore the true heart of Texas. The book showcases small towns, hidden natural scenes, back roads, and more, bringing to life a Texas that even some natives rarely see. It's a compact, satisfying addition to one's library or guest room stash.

"Backroads of the Texas Hill Country: Your Guide to the Most Scenic Adventures" by Gary Clark and Kathy Adams Clark is a comprehensive guide that takes readers on a scenic journey through the Texas Hill Country. The book introduces travelers and armchair tourists alike to the emerging wine country of the Lone Star State, the meticulously preserved culture of East European immigrants, the “cowboy capital of the world” (Bandera), and the childhood home of LBJ at Johnson City. It provides detailed driving directions, maps, and over 175 spectacular photographs, making it an essential companion for those seeking to explore the heart of Texas. Whether you're drawn to wildflowers, dude ranches, natural areas, historic sites, or quaint Texas towns redolent of history, this book is your passport to an experience like no other.

"Fodor's San Antonio, Austin & the Texas Hill Country (Full-color Travel Guide)" is a comprehensive travel guide that provides readers with curated recommendations, detailed maps, and beautiful color photos to help simplify their trip-planning process. The book covers a wide range of attractions, from the Alamo and South by Southwest to the Texas wine country. It includes an illustrated guide to the top experiences, multiple itineraries, and practical tips on when to go, getting around, and saving time and money. The guide also offers historical and cultural insights into the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, and music. Whether you're planning to visit San Antonio, Austin, or the Hill Country, this guide is a valuable resource for making the most of your time.

"A Naturalist's Guide to the Texas Hill Country" by Mark Gustafson is a comprehensive guide that introduces readers to the history, geology, water resources, plants, and animals found in the nineteen counties occupying the eastern part of the Edwards Plateau, the heart of the Hill Country. The book profiles three hundred of the most common and unique species from all of the major groups of plants and animals, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers, cacti, vines, grasses, ferns, fungi, lichens, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates. Each species is accompanied by a color photograph and a brief description. The book also includes a chapter on significant state parks and natural areas in the region, inviting readers to visit and explore the Texas Hill Country. This guidebook aims to enrich the appreciation of the region’s rich and unique biodiversity and encourage conservation of the natural world encountered.

"The Texas Hill Country: A Photographic Adventure" by Michael H. Marvins is a visual celebration of the Texas Hill Country's enchanting beauty. As a master photographer, Marvins captures the excitement of small-town rodeos, the mesquite-smoked atmosphere of local eateries, the daily lives of people on the land, and the scenic beauty of the landscape and its natural denizens. The book invites readers to share his unique perspectives on this popular region. He takes us with him on leisurely backcountry drives and into the laughter and swirl of dance halls. His artful images are the principal focus of the book, offering fresh ways to see and appreciate the Texas Hill Country. The author's proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.