I was excited to receive an advance copy of Henry Horenstein’s excellent new book of photography dedicated to the Lone Star State, Miles and Miles of Texas.
Henry has published a score of books over the years, but the one that might be nearest and dearest to my heart is the excellent Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music, published in 2003. This new book about Texas covers much of the same ground—everyday people living interesting lives in fascinating environments: dance halls, diners, roadside stands, places well off the beaten path littered with crudely hand-painted signs and the detritus of a place that celebrates its history and its importance with nearly every breath. I’ve been to Texas more times than I can count, and one truth is that you’ll hear the word “Texas” about three hundred times a night. They are mighty proud of their state, and rightly so. The cultural contributions Texas has given us—music, food, style—are undeniable.
There are famous people in there (well, if you count Kinky Friedman and Marcia Ball famous, and I do), and everyday people photographed on the street. The photography is impeccable black and white, and really draws you in.
I can’t speak highly enough about Henry Horenstein’s work. You owe it to yourself to pick up his new Miles and Miles of Texas if this kind of thing floats your boat at all!
