Book Review

Between Heaven and Texas

Between Heaven and Texas by Wyman Meinzer, published by University of Texas Press

Reviewed by Mike Shea

December 2006

University of Texas Press

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND TEXAS is dazzling. In a collection of meticulous prints, WYMAN MEINZER (who was proclaimed official state photographer in 1997 by then-governor George W. Bush) captures the limitless permutations of the Lone Star sky, from the serenity of cottony cumulus puffs to the bruising purple of a stormy sunset. The illusion of texture tempts you to run a hand across each page. A craftsman’s patience seems to be key; the sheer variety of skyscapes and horizons belies impossibly long stretches of time with a camera trained upward through rain and shine, day and night, sunrise and sunset. As with Meinzer’s earlier collaboration with writer John Graves, Texas Sky, complementary writings accompany these images: Texas Monthly writer-at-large Sarah Bird offers a typically wry meditation on clouds, and a host of poems, selected by Naomi Shihab Nye, illuminates the rest of the photos. The writings are intelligent and entertaining grace notes, but they can’t upstage the breathtaking visuals.

E-mail

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

X (close)

Registering gets you access to online content, allows you to comment on stories, add your own reviews of restaurants and events, and join in the discussions in our community areas such as the Recipe Swap and other forums.

In addition, current TEXAS MONTHLY magazine subscribers will get access to the feature stories from the two most recent issues. If you are a current subscriber, please enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your mailing label (except zip, 5 digits only). Not a subscriber? Subscribe online now.

E-mail

Re-enter your E-mail address

Choose a password

Re-enter your password

Name

  
 

Address

Address 2

City

State

Zip (5 digits only)

Country

What year were you born?

Are you...

Male Female

Remember me

X (close)