“Theroux’s eye for landscape remains as sharp as ever . . . It’s Theroux’s remarkable gift for getting strangers to reveal themselves that makes going along for this ride worthwhile.” — New York Times Book Review
 
Paul Theroux has spent the past fifty years roaming the globe, describing his encounters with remote people and far-flung places in ten best-selling travel books. Now, for the first time, he explores a part of America—the Deep South. Setting out on a winding road trip, Theroux discovers a region of architectural and artistic wonders, incomparable music, mouth-watering cuisine—and also some of the worst schools, medical care, housing, and unemployment rates in the nation.
                Yet, no matter where he goes, Theroux meets the unsung heroes of the South, the people who, despite it all, never left, and also those who found their way home and devoted their lives to rebuilding a place they could never live without.
 
“Paul Theroux’s latest travel memoir had me at hello . . . Theroux pulls no punches in his quest to understand this overlooked margin of American life.” — Boston Globe
 
“A vivid contemporary portrait of rural life . . . a deeply affecting personal account.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Offering a new perspective on the unique cultural influences of New Orleans, this entertaining history captures the soul of the city and reveals its impact on the rest of the nation. Focused on New Orleans' first century of existence, a comprehensive, chronological narrative of the political, cultural, and musical development of Louisiana's early years is presented. This innovative history tracks the important roots of American music back to the swamp town, making clear the effects of centuries-long struggles among France, Spain, and England on the city's unique culture. The origins of jazz and the city's eclectic musical influences, including the role of the slave trade, are also revealed. Featuring little-known facts about the cultural development of New Orleans--such as the real significance of gumbo, the origins of the tango, and the first appearance of the words vaudeville and voodoo-- this rich historical narrative explains how New Orleans' colonial influences shape the city still today.

Baylor head coach Art Briles is one of the most highly regarded coaches in college football, and this biography delves far beyond his football success and acumen. It explains how, at the age of 20, Briles lost his parents in a tragic car accident as they were en route to one of his college games. The book relates how Briles, devastated by the loss of his role models, used the catastrophe as motivation to propel him toward the destination of his dreams. As the book elucidates in detail, Coach Briles has made a career of turning failing football programs around in both the high school and collegiate ranks. His latest accomplishments at Baylor University are also chronicled in this account of overcoming tragedy and turning personal loss into overwhelming success.

One of the hidden jewels of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the state. At 128 miles (including loop trails), it is also the state's longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. Located in the famed Big Thicket area in east Texas, the trail is well-suited for both short and long hikes (of up to 10 days), appealing to dayhikers, overnight backpackers and long-distance hikers. The LSHT lies between the major metro centers of Houston-Galveston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio--home to more than 8 million people just a 2-hour drive from the trail. The author, a Texas native, is an experienced long-distance hiker who has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and many other nationally recognized long-distance trails throughout the U.S. This is the first guidebook to the trail and is officially endorsed and promoted by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club.

From the Alamo to UFO sightings, a collection from Texas's rich history and independent spirit.

Once again, well-known ghost story writer Docia Williams brings us an all-new book about recent ghost sightings and mysterious happenings in the Alamo City. A chilling book for those wanting a guide to places where spirits are known to rendezvous or for those who just like a good ghost story.

An entertaining guidebook celebrating the food and people of New Orleans, highlighting nearly 250 eating spots, from sno-cone stands and food carts to famous restaurants. When Mario Batali was asked his favorite food city, he responded, “New Orleans, hands down.” No city has as many signature dishes, from gumbo and beignets to pralines and po boys, from muffuletta and Oysters Rockefeller to king cake and red beans and rice (every Monday night), all of which draw nearly 9 million hungry tourists to the city each year.

Eat Dat New Orleans is a guidebook that celebrates both New Orleans’s food and its people. It highlights nearly 250 eating spots—sno-cone stands and food carts as well as famous restaurants—and spins tales of the city’s food lore, such as the controversial history of gumbo and the Shakespearean drama of restaurateur Owen Brennan and his heirs.

Both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers will be helped by a series of appendixes that list restaurants by cuisine, culinary classes and tours, food festivals, and indispensable “best of” lists chosen by an A-list of the city’s food writers and media personalities, including Poppy Tooker, Lolis Eric Elie, Ian McNulty, Sara Roahen, Marcelle Bienvenu, Amy C. Sins, and Liz Williams.

Take a trip to another decade, basking in the glory of the Old South by way of Louisiana plantation homes such as Nottoway, Shadows-on-the Teche, Melrose, and Oak Alley. Despite the ravages of time, these majestic residences continue to demand attention with their impressive architecture and historic grandeur. Many of these structures have been restored to their former splendor and are open to the public.

This completely revised, full-color eighth edition features a reorganized list of significant plantation homes in Louisiana. Divided into eleven tours according to location, this guide includes more than 250 entries, accompanied by concise descriptions and historical background, and an expanded New Orleans section, highlighting both the famous Garden District and the historic French Quarter. With sixty-two photographs and hours of operation, contact information, and directions for each entry, this book is a perfect reference for revisiting the Old South.

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet New Orleans is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. March with a brass band through the French Quarter, eat everything from jambalaya to beignets, or take a walking tour past the Garden District's plantation-style mansions; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of New Orleans and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's New Orleans Travel Guide:

Full-color maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including history, art, literature, cinema, music, architecture, politics, environment, food, drink, and more Free, convenient pull-out New Orleans map (included in print version), plus over 22 color neighborhood maps Covers Uptown, Riverbend, Mid-City, the Treme, CBD, Warehouse District, French Quarter, Garden District, Central City, Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, and more

eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones)

Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet New Orleans, our most comprehensive guide to New Orleans, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's Eastern USA guide for a comprehensive look at all the region has to offer.

Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet.

About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, as well as an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveler community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travelers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.

Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

Describing the personalities, events, and facts that any and every Aggies fan should know, this work stands as a complete guide to one of the most accomplished and unique histories in college football. Highlighting the traditions that make Texas A&M football one of a kind—the 12th Man, the Aggie Bonfire, and Midnight Yell Practice—this book details the team’s recent resurgence with their electrifying, Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback Johnny Manziel before taking readers back to the Aggies’ three national championships and describing the larger-than-life figures who have coached at the school, including Paul “Bear” Bryant, Gene Stallings, Jackie Sherrill, R. C. Slocum, and Kevin Sumlin. More than a century of team history is distilled to highlight the essential moments, describing in an informative and lively way the personalities, games, rivalries, and plays that have come together to make Texas A&M one of college football’s most beloved programs.

Rob Walker, columnist for The New York Times Magazine, energises the lately enervated worlds of memoir and travelogue with his book-length debut, 'Letters From New Orleans', a reconnaissance of a city obsessed with the forensic details of denial. Walker traded his New York life, including a decent media job, back in January of 2000. He and his girlfriend set up shop in New Orleans and soon after, Walker began sending, via email, 'The Letter From New Orleans' to interested parties. All fourteen pieces, along with additional material and photo spectra, are included in the book. Subjects covered include: celebratory gunfire, rich people, Michelle Shocked, the riddle of race relations today, robots, fine dining, drunkenness, urban decay, debutantes, the nature of identity, Gennifer Flowers, the song 'St James Infirmary', and mortality.

Birding is big in Texas with over 2.5 million resident birders and thousands of non-resident birders who visit the state each year in pursuit of their birding passion.

This volume covers the Panhandle and the Prairies & Pineywoods regions, with over 200 birding trails and sites described.

The author describes each trail with a number of key birds, the best time of year to visit the site, terrain and size of the area, and complete directions to each trail.

There are over 200 gull-color photographs of the key species of birds, and over 30 trail maps, along with a birder's check list.

Commemorated to honor the 50th anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys—one of the most prominent and popular franchises in professional sports—Cowboys Chronicles presents the colorful history of "America's Team." This lively retrospective features every game of every season, the unforgettable players, coaches, and Super Bowl teams, and even the world-famous Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL, one of the faces of the league and has a larger-than-life personality to boot, but his journey to the top was far from easy. Watt burst on to the scene with multiple NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and placed himself directly on the path to NFL super-stardom. Including nearly 100 full-color photographs, fans are provided a glimpse into Watt's life–from his days as an unheralded college recruit to his journey to the top of the sport with the Houston Texans. This keepsake also explores Watt's vast popularity off the gridiron through acting, community service, and charity work, and celebrates the man who truly embodies his motto: Dream Big, Work Hard.

Texas is a big place and it’s filled with a whole lot of spots to wet a line. But you’ve got to know where to go. In Fishing Texas, Barry St.Clair provides an insider’s guide to the best places to fish throughout the state—with all the directions and particulars and background that give each place its own unique
character and reputation—to give you a leg up. Many fishing sites in Texas are similar in nature and vary based on their particular kinds of fish and climate zones. This guide is based on the author’s in-depth and wide ranging fishing experience in Texas as well as from interviews with friends, guides who fish their lakes nearly every day, and fisheries biologists from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Combining all this experience and expertise creates one indispensible reference for fishing Texas. Look inside to find:A listing of the game fish at each location
Tips on lures, flies, bait, tackler, and techniques for each location
Directions and information on camping facilities
Words to the wise on weather and dangeros critters
Maps and photos

Each Falcon Field Guide to birds introduces the 180 most common and sought-after species in a state. Conveniently sized to fit in your pocket and featuring full-color, detailed illustrations, these informative guides make it easy to identify birds in a backyard, favorite parks, and wildlife areas. Each bird is accompanied by a detailed listing of its prominent attributes and a color illustration showing its important features. Birds are organized in taxonomic order, keeping families of birds together for easy identification. This is the essential source for the field, both informative and beautiful to peruse.

New in the exciting series that combines wanderlust with the art of photography! Ask a Texan to name his favorite part of the state and he’ll probably say the Hill Country. This rolling open country, crisscrossed by creeks and rivers, wooded with ancient live oaks and junipers, holds many rewarding sites for photographers—like the huge granite dome of Enchanted Rock, and the cypress-lined Guadalupe River.

Laurence Parent shows you the best photo spots in the most popular places as well as the best photo ops in the area’s little-known gems. He also covers scenic spots to photograph in the two large cities on the edge of the Hill Country—Austin and San Antonio. Not only does he help you identify great locations, he also offers solid advice on the best time of year to visit, the best time of day to shoot, and tips and techniques for getting the most out of your time.

Food Lovers' Guides

 

Indispensable handbooks to local gastronomic delights

 

The ultimate guides to the food scene in their respective states or regions, these books provide the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy, and celebrate local culinary offerings. Engagingly written by local authorities, they are a one-stop for residents and visitors alike to find producers and purveyors of tasty local specialties, as well as a rich array of other, indispensable food-related information including:

 

• Food festivals and culinary events

• Farmers markets and farm stands

• Specialty food shops

• Places to pick your own produce

• One-of-a-kind restaurants and landmark eateries

• Recipes using local ingredients and traditions

• The best wineries and brewpubs

When it comes to football, this new series is the mother-load of fun and information! You'll find questions ranging from the most basic to questions that will challenge even the most die-hard fans. Some of the chapters include: famous firsts, training camps, stadiums, records, quotes, postseason runs, jersey numbers, drafts/trades and, of course, the players and coaches. From the person who is getting ready to attend his or her first game to the fan who lives and breathes the sport and is always looking to get an edge on friends, "Cowboys Triviology" has something for everyone.

Texas movies are as vast as the Lone Star State. This book offers readers the chance to visit Texas vicariously by viewing movies filmed in and about the state that reflect Texas history, cultures, and landscapes. Suggested itineraries, maps, and lists of unique shooting locatiosn make this book a travel guide. Anecdotes about the experiences of the movie makers during the filming add unique interest for the movie fan.

Annotation Adventure Guides are the perfect travel companion for the modern explorer. Whether you're looking to backpack around your home state or boost the number of stamps in your passport by traveling overseas, these books will heighten your travel experience.

Our team of knowledgeable authors offers comprehensive introductions that cover history, geography, climate, when to go, transportation, planning and culture. Region-by-region, the books then delve into the heart of the area, with driving tours and side trips to the best museums, historic sites and shops. But the focus is on activities, and you'll learn about the best spots for diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking, biking, rock climbing and more. Extensive listings of recommended tour operators, too. Select places to stay and eat, as well as regional festivals and celebrations.

This is the only full-sized comprehensive guide covering Oklahoma from tip to toe. With 250,000 Native American residents, the state is a treasure trove of history. Details,on powwows, historical re-enactments and celebrations. Visit the International Bluegrass Festival, the Red Earth Native American Art & Dance Festival, Lake Eufaula, Black Mesa, Boiling Springs & Roman Nose state parks, the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Known simply as "America's Team," the Dallas Cowboys are one of football's most storied franchises and always begin each season with a legitimate chance to add another Super Bowl title to their existing five. Author and Cowboys employee Nick Eatman, through interviews with current and past players, provides fans with a one-of-a-kind, insider's look into the great moments and the lowlights throughout the team's history. Readers will hear from players, coaches, and management as they discuss their moments of greatness as well as their defeats, making If These Walls Could Talk: Dallas Cowboys a keepsake no fan will want to miss.

The Discovering Vintage series takes you back in time to all of the timeless classic spots each city has to offer. The books spotlight the charming stories that tell you what each place is like now and how it got that way from classic restaurants to shops to other establishments that still thrive today and evoke the unique character of the city. They're all still around—but they won't be around forever. Start reading, and start your discovering now!

In 1832, Washington Irving, America’s first literary superstar, returned to the United States after seventeen years abroad and swiftly set out to explore Pawnee country—the wild uncharted territory deep in the young nation’s interior. It was a part of the country few white men had set foot in and even fewer had written about it—and certainly none as famous as Irving.

Owing to a chance encounter on a steamboat with the newly appointed Indian Commissioner, and embracing an opportunity to silence critics who had begun to doubt his patriotism (after so much time abroad), Irving finds himself sleeping under the stars, traversing hostile plains, and venturing blindly into the unknown. He discovers a certain kind of tranquility in the open air and relishes the traditions and culture of the Pawnee. Irving kept a daily account of his excursion into what is now Oklahoma, and upon his return home, spun this fabulously entertaining and groundbreaking work. With unparalleled descriptions of the natural terrain—a land of giant flowing rivers and endless golden plains—and vivid depictions of the lives in Native Americans, A Tour on the Prairies stands as a classic portrait of what life was like out West before chronic warfare left the plains and the population decimated. Irving’s book became a huge success when it was originally published and quickly silenced critics who questioned his affection for his homeland.