After Apollo 14, astronaut Alan Shepard gave his barber Carlos Villagomez an autographed golf ball. But did it fly to the moon? This extensively researched account explores their extraordinary friendship and the mystery surrounding one of history’s most intriguing pieces of space memorabilia, offering rare insights into NASA’s golden age.
Deconstructed reveals how decades of immigration policy failures created today’s crisis. Following the Marek family journey from Czech immigrants to major contractors, this definitive account challenges divisive myths and offers a pragmatic blueprint for immigration reform that benefits workers, businesses, and the American economy.
Fracking, Sustainability, and an Unorthodox Quest to Save the Planet
Published by Texas A&M University Press
The first definitive biography of George Mitchell, “the father of fracking,” who perfected drilling techniques that transformed America from being oil-dependent to a major producer. Yet he also created The Woodlands, pioneering sustainable community development. Steffy examines the “Mitchell Paradox”—his conflicting legacy in energy innovation and environmental protection.
The first person ever to reconstruct an ancient ship from its sunken fragments, J. Richard Steffy said ships spoke to him. In this biography and adventure story of the highest caliber, learn of Steffy’s unlikely transition from small-town electrician to the world’s leading authority on ancient ships and how he helped build a field of study that continues to harvest new discoveries from the depths of the world’s oceans.
Richard Coke played one of the most crucial roles in Texas history, restoring the state after Reconstruction. Richard Coke: Texan, written by one of his indirect descendants, uses historical and previously unseen family records to weave a rich mosaic of real people and events that immerses the reader in the life and times of this era.
A compelling historical biography that offers an in-depth look at one of Texas’ most influential and controversial figures during the tumultuous mid-19th century. The Old Alcalde offers a balanced and nuanced portrayal of a controversial figure.
Voices of Camptown is more than a local history—it is a celebration of community, resilience, and the enduring power of remembrance. It reveals the overlooked story of the “Birthplace of Texas Independence”— where half the population received their independence only following the Civil War.
