Kings of Texas: The 150-Year Saga of an American Ranching Empire

I bought this tome for my spouse and it sat around the house, unread, until I picked it up myself. I was surprised that this slim volume could explain so much about the founding of the King Ranch and the controversy surrounding its ownership. I was especially interested in the property rights of the missing character, a military cohort and investor of King's whose heirs later sued the King heirs for their ancestor's part of the ranch. All unsuccessfully, of course. However, this work by Don Graham, whose work I often read in "Texas Monthly Magazine", which centers more on Kleberg than on the later years and workings, is quite interesting. I couldn't put it down until the end. And after yakking it up to my husband, he finally indulged himself in the read. We both recommend it for anyone fascinated by the legends of this gigantic property and its landlords.

as a yankee, i didn't think i would be so fascinated by a texas history. what's sad is, we just don't have sprawling sagas like this up in new jersey.

Don Graham is a sharp thinker and a sort of curmudgeon for all seasons. He is therefore the ideal writer to tell the story of Texas's very own mini-Soviet empire, the Kleberg/King ranch. Graham doesn't retreat from criticism, but tells the story of the growth and prosperity of the ranch in a balanced, if ever-provocative and angled, manner. This is fine writing from one of the best historians of the Southwest. Highly recommended for all readers of sophisticated nonfiction.

Don Graham's KINGS OF TEXAS is a compelling account of the fabled King Ranch from its earliest days to a contemporary lawsuit that sums up the mythic and the real history of south Texas. Helen Chapman's story is fascinating. This really gives a feel of what it's like to be connected with this huge sea of land and the epic story of how it became King Ranch.

The story of King Ranch is fascinating. Don Graham's book is the best historical look at King Ranch that I have read yet.