Reddit mentions of Texas

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry for little bit of culture through fiction and Texas by James A. Mitchner, which is technically still fiction but is really just factual history communicated by narrative.

I can't recommend these highly enough. Not only do they capture Texas perfectly, but they are highly enjoyable reads.

Edit: Also, skarter, thanks for taking an interest in Texas.

Texas, by Michener. Its enormous, you can read it on the plain on the way over here.

Also see Lone Star by John Sayles. Its the best, most realistic depiction of modern (1996) Texas race relations and politics I can think of.

Have you read any books by James A. Michener? He writes great history books that you might like. I especially loved Texas.