The Semi-Reluctant Rock Star

How did shy, sweet Edie Brickell become America’s hottest new performer? By sticking to her vision—and doing what the record company told her.

by Joe Nick Patoski

How Not to Rob a Bank

Two nice guys with financial troubles thought they found the perfect solution to the bust. Well, it seemed like a good idea at that time.

by Emily Yoffe

The Mommy War

Kids in T-shirts bearing political slogans, ideological confrontations in the supermarket, skirmishes at the PTA. Welcome to the battle between moms who work and moms who don’t.

by Jan Jarboe Russell

On the Defensive

Jim Wright’s attorney Steve Susman is living proof that clients may lose, but lawyers don’t.

by Tom Curtis

The Temple of Destiny

In downtown Mexico City are the ruins of the great Aztec pyramid, the site where one empire ended and a new world began.

by Stephen Harrigan

The Best and the Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them.

by Paul Burka, Patricia Kilday Hart, Ellen Williams and Jennifer Bradley

Behind the Lines

Texans Versus Shapes

Heroes in the shade.

by Gregory Curtis

Media

Bach to Basie

Dallas’ KERA discovered that music that’s good for you doesn’t have to be boring.

by Jody Denberg

Business

Greed is Good

Having a billion dollars isn’t everything, unless you’re Harold Simmons.

by Frederick E. “Shad” Rowe, Jr

Books

Territorial Imperative

A fresh look at the U.S. war with Mexico shows that the effects of this forgotten conflict are still being felt today.

by T. R. Fehrenbach

Reporter

First Author

A Texas Novelist Finds Favor in Washington.

by Chester Rosson

Roar of the Crowd

Sharing our treasured spots

State Secrets

Texas cleans up its act with natural gas.

Great Bowls Of Fire!

Hot like summer, as refreshing as a breaking wave, standard Mexican salsas are taking on new guises. Now they’re as likely to be a topping for grilled fish as a dip for chips.

by Mary Malouf

Salsa Creole Cruda

Recipe from “Great Balls of Fire”.

Spicy Avocado Salsa

Recipe from “Great Balls of Fire”.

Cucumber-Tahini Salsa

Recipe from “Great Balls of Fire”.

Pineapple-Green Peppercorn Salsa

Recipe from “Great Balls of Fire”.

Roasted-Tomato Salsa

Recipe from “Great Balls of Fire”.

Salsa Brava

Recipe from “Great Balls of Fire”.

Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions

Up for crab.

by Ann Clark

Sauté of Crab, Corn, and Red Pepper

Recipe from Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions.

Cornmeal Madeleines

Recipe from Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions.

Goat Cheese and Red Onion Timbales

Recipe from Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions.

Red and Black Summer Fruits

Recipe from Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions.

A Grand Finale

Hill Country cobbler.

Hill Country Peach Cobbler

Recipe from “A Grande Finale”