City of Destiny

An antinuclear neutralist, animal liberationist, Welsh nationalist, aspirant anarchist - and consummate travel writer - spends five full days in Houston, Texas.

by Jan Morris

Throw It to Me!

Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, and Butch Johnson are wide receivers for the Dallas Cowboys - in other words, they’re artists, egomaniacs, fierce competitors, and the heart of the team.

by Jan Reid

How to Catch a Pass

Easy lessons from the three masters of the art.

by Jan Reid

Losing Big

Everybody knows the story about the young Texan who goes into business, works hard, and makes millions. But what happens when his luck runs out?

by Paul Burka

The Failures That Made Texas

When it comes to flops and fiascos, Texans can outdo anyone.

by Anne Dingus

Bats!

They’re ugly little things, but you’ve got to respect them.

by Suzanne Winckler

I Have a Scheme

Andrew Jefferson was on his way up in the judicial system. Larry Cager was a rising star in the Houston Area Urban League. Together they were giving the city’s black population the leadership it had always needed. And then along came trouble.

by Harry Hurt III

Behind the Lines

In defense of failure—and success.

by Gregory Curtis

Business

A Little Bit of Heaven

Once the Hill Country meant small towns and Spartan values; now it’s ranchettes and easy living.

by John Davidson

Film

Smitten Kittens

The lovers in The French Lieutenant’s Woman are just this side of maudlin, but the movie itself is harder to take than they are.

by James Wolcott

Books

Waste Makes Money

In With No Fear of Failure you’ll learn how you, too, can turn rags into riches. Daddy’s Girl knows Southern discomfort. Petroleum Politics and the Texas Railroad Commission is the history of our own little OPEC.

by John Bloom

Education

The Minds of Babes

With the Doman method of learning, your child may know as much as you do before he starts first grade.

Dance

A Fan in Exile

One man’s long-distance love affair with the New York City Ballet.

W. L. Taitte

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

Raising cain over Sam Houston’s house; searching for the face that will sell a million blue jeans; going bust in the refinery business.

by

Roar of the Crowd

The plights of rivers, writers, and children.

State Secrets

Muse’s shaky takeoff; Mark White on the sport; Bob Bullock’s special grace; aging Texas money.

Edited by Paul Burka

Touts

All about the bird and the beasts.

Patricia Sharpe

Puzzle

Airs above the ground.