About book The Big Richthe Rise And Fall Of The Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes (2009)
Very interesting on the history of oil in Texas. The first part of the book was fascinating: how oil was found using various combinations of money, luck, intelligence, and chutzpah. It's kind of technical, but Burroughs explains this key part of 20th c. Texas history in an engaging & clear way. The stories of the families of the "big rich" were ok -- it was interesting to find out more about names I've heard of my whole life (as a Texan), but too sensationalistic for my taste. I almost gave this book 2 stars b/c it was annoying to me how often he characterized some of the oil-rich Texans as "ultra-conservative/conservative" and "racist" without any sense that these don't necessarily belong together . . . the author has an illiberal liberal perspective that makes both of those terms pejorative. Racist, yes . . . conservative, no. In the politics of the big rich, Burroughs paints with a broad brush and produces a caricature. This book is written by a superb storyteller and is extremely well-written. The personalities and life stories of these oilmen are fascinating. I would liken what you will read to having beers with three of your favorite uncles telling you their most hilarious true-to-life anecdotes. Then the next night you have a drink with a top- notch political scientist who explains how their money affected national affairs. It might not have been the "best" or most "literary" book I've read in the last year, but for sure the most entertaining. You will like this. Go find it.
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Loved listening to this book...especially with living in Texas and being familiar with the state.
—emmieloubeccie
Great biography and overview of Texas oil families and their legacy. Really interesting stuff.
—reebahsag
Definitely worthwhile if you grew up and/or live in Texas.
—Aishwarya
