They worked hard, overcame obstacles, bucked conventional wisdom, and touched our lives. Meet the most impressive, intriguing, and influential Texans of 1999.

Artist of the portrait.

Driven to succeed.

Folk hero.

London calling.

Comeback kid.

Read all about her.

Supermarketer.

The good doctor.

Selling it like it is.

The ride of his life.

A soldier’s story

In-Spur-ational.

This year’s model.

Fly girls.

Children’s writes.

Net profiteers.

Lord of the ring.

Crime and punishment.

Communicator in chief.

Oprah’s guru.

Once upon a time, you went to a museum to see what was inside. Now you go to see the museum itself—and nowhere is this trend more in evidence than in Texas.

Down—and up—on the bayou.

After years of not much brewing, Houston’s Duncan Coffee Company is piping hot all over again.

What do gossipeuse Liz Smith, politico Paul Begala, and Hollywood hotshot Robert Rodriguez have in common? They all worked—and networked—at the hundred-year-old Daily Texan.

Ricky Martin? Jennifer Lopez? The real Spanish-language stars of the moment are the Monterrey punk, funk, jazz, and hip-hop duo Plastilina Mosh.

Don Graham remembers Willie Morris.

William Bennett journeys to Junction.

How George W. could be evitable.

Why the Bush campaign is good for the Texas economy.

Why was Eric Dickerson nicknamed Mr. Benny?

The best and worst of our best and worst legislators.

Jailhouse Chili is a gastronomic pleasure for the Kinkster—and the rest of us.