Going For Broke

In boom times, John Connally and Ben Barnes used their political magic to build a sprawling real estate empire. Now they’re in a desperate struggle to keep themselves afloat.

by Peter Elkind

Where NASA Went Wrong

The seeds of the Challenger disaster were sowed long ago, in the space agency’s conflict between its ideals and its politics.

by Al Reinert

After the Tears

Cambodian Lay Bun Sun escaped the terrors of the Khmer Rouge to film his dreams in Houston.

by David Theis

The Strange Case of Mark White

The governor has a good record, good ideas, and good intentions. So why is he in danger of losing his job to a man he already beat once?

by Paul Burka

Texas Primer: The Texas Institute of Letters

Belonging to this literary club is a lot like becoming a Texan; you can be a newcomer for only so long.

by Karl Kilian

Beyond Halloween

On the Day of the Dead, Mexicans mock death with candy skulls and papier-mache coffins. But in the darkness of a graveside vigil, the mockery gives way to tears.

Photography by Geoff Winningham

The Barbecue Brothers

The six Mikeska boys may share the same family name, but each has his own ideas about the nuances of Texas barbeque.

by Joe Nick Patoski

The Eye of the Beholder

A museum in Texas is the last place Jacques-Louis David would expect to find his late masterpiece, but we’re glad it’s here.

by Stephen Harrigan

Western Art: Yodelay, Yodelay-Hoo

An interpretation of a classic genre.

by Sandra Hendler

Back Roads

Ballad of the Pine Springs Cafe

Over the years, this boot-scuffed cafe has been host to West Texas yarn spinners and front-porch gossips. Now the stories are told on borrowed time.

by Jamie Aitken

Behind the Lines

by Gregory Curtis

Texana

The Museum That Time Forgot

It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the state. But what the Texas Memorial Museum needs is somebody’s attention.

by William Booth

Popular Music

Country Music’s Hermit Saint

Don Williams won’t do beer commercials, sign autographs, or sing in honk-tonks. If that means he isn’t a superstar, that’s fine with him.

by Dick J. Reavis

Books

Partners in Crime

David Lindsey stalks Houston cops, through the violence the violence and around the blood, in search of another mystery novel.

by Jan Reid

Classical Music

For the Love of Bach

The Dallas Bach Society combines crackerjack musicians, a well-trained choir, and top-ranked vocal soloists—the result is a baroque-music lover’s dream.

by W. L. Taitte

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

The Harris Count Administration Building isn’t big enough for both Jon Lindsay and Mike Driscoll; Ray Perryman, a reporter’s best friend; a lucky accident brought Ethiopians—and Ethiopian restaurants—to Dallas.

by Joseph Nocera

Roar of the Crowd

The Quidnunc

Governor White nods off; Watauga policeman on the wagon; debutante dos and don’ts.

by Mark Seal

Touts

by Patricia Sharpe

Puzzle

State Secrets

A price for peace on the Guadalupe River; favorites and long shots in the Texas racetrack derby; a key decision for Lloyd Bentsen.

Edited by Paul Burka