The Texas Twenty

They saved lives and enlightened us, gave us pleasure and gave of themselves. Meet the most impressive, intriguing, and influential Texans of 2000.

Television • Angie Harmon

Not just a pretty face.

by Skip Hollandsworth

Comeback • Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson

The big payoff.

by Gary Cartwright

Medicine • Wayne Isom

He's all hearts.

by Jim Atkinson

Education • Rod Paige

Passing the test.

by Brian D. Sweany

Politics • Karl Rove

Getting W. to D.C.

by Paul Burka

Music • Elida Reyna

Tops in tejano.

by John Morthland

Food • Phil Romano

Restaurant raja.

by Patricia Sharpe

Law • Bill Johnston

Waco white hat.

by Pamela Colloff

Sports • Mia Hamm

Goal-oriented.

by Jay Papasan

Theater • Roger Horchow

A Tony guy.

by Anne Dingus

Face • Shannon Elizabeth

American cutie-pie.

by Jason Cohen

Literature • John Phillip Santos

Getting personal.

by Pamela Colloff

Art • Joseph Havel

Breaking the mold.

by Michael Ennis

Scholarship • Jacques Barzun

Man of the centuries.

by Anne Dingus

Religion • W.C. and Donna Martin

Family values.

by Michael Hall

Film • Bonnie Curtis

Producing results.

by Jordan Mackay

Environment • Steve Manning

For the birds.

by Joe Nick Patoski

Business • Sanjiv Sidhu

Shy-tech.

by Kathryn Jones

Science • George F. Bass

Dive, he said.

by Suzy Banks

Dance • Deborah Yates

It's all in the gams.

by Skip Hollandsworth

Behind the Lines

Storm Without End

How Galveston weathered a once-in-a-century storm.

by Paul Burka

Sports

Swamp Thing

It's no croc: September is alligator season in Texas, and hunters are taking to the marshes hook, line, and rifle.

by John Morthland

Profile

Change of Routine

Sixteen years after her Olympic triumph, Mary Lou Retton talks about her family, her career, and what she really thought of Bela Karolyi.

by Skip Hollandsworth

First Person

One Man's Familia

My grandfather came to America penniless and undereducated, and he worked hard to give his family the things he went without. His greatest legacy is that he did just that.

by Raul A. Reyes

Travel

Going Underground

Northern Mexico's Gruta del Palmito provides a caving experience that won't leave you in the dark.

by John Burnett

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

Texas Primer

Charley Pride

Which professional sport did Charley Pride play?

by Anne Dingus

Face

Mike and Gibby Cevallos

San Antonio brothers pen a sitcom that's all in the family.

by Katy Vine

The Ex Files

Aaron Latham

The story about Aaron Latham.

by Patricia Busa McConnico

Reporter

Horse Play

Can SMU football come back from the dead by building a $56 million stadium?

by Jordan Mackay

Roar of the Crowd

A vote against Texas Democrats.

Texas Classics

The Western Edge

Blood Meridian.

by Don Graham

State Secrets

Gored

The politics of the Medicaid "shortfall."

by Patricia Kilday Hart

Hot Book Excerpt

The Devils Tiger

Braised Short Ribs With Rosemary-Parmesan Polenta

Italian Parsley-Caper Sauce

Rosemary-Parmesan Polenta

State Fare

Stick to the ribs at Austin's La Traviata.

by Patricia Sharpe