How to get your kicks on Route 66 and other less celebrated roads: three leisurely drives through a part of the state where the sights are cool and the nights are cooler.

No one captures the majesty and mystique of wide-open spaces like photographer Peter Brown.

When Fast Eddie Garcia was shot to death, San Antonio mourned the loss of not only a man but also a behind-the-scenes power broker at the center of the city’s good ol’ amigo network.

Naughty Nixon and wonderful Wolens, soapy Shapiro and revered Ratliff, and of course, a certain governor who’s ready for his close-up: Our say-so on the session’s standouts—good, bad, and in-between.

From Harvard to Hesitation Hill, the nation’s most motivated motivational speaker is much in demand. And he’ll still see you at the top.

Forget the critically panned Instinct, which was “suggested by” his novel Ishmael. Houston’s Daniel Quinn wants you to know what he really thinks about the modern world.

How great is Walter Prescott Webb? I had no idea.

Even in death, the former principal of El Paso’s Cathedral High is larger than life.

The truth—what we can discern, anyway—about Tom Landry’s leukemia.

Long John Hunter and his guitar-slinging friends sharpened their axes in and around Port Arthur, so their recent return was truly a homecoming.

Don Graham rereads The Gay Place.

McMemories from Star Jones.

The book (make that books) on George W. Bush.

How the fight over a toxic waste dump has changed the lives of three West Texas activists.

From Canyon to Corpus Christi, we celebrate a Lone Star–spangled Fourth. Plus: Brushing up on contemporary art (San Antonio); doing Lunch one last time (Austin); fighting for the crown (Fort Worth); and getting to know the man who knew too much (Houston).

What part did Shelley Duvall beat out Gilda Radner for?

Roping in Ty Murray; Fess Parker—yes, him—on Quanah Parker.

Think fig: The chef at Austin’s Vespaio does, and his crispy duck is delicious.