A guide through the history of the Playground of the Southwest. Established in 1839, Galveston was the largest city in Texas for much of the state's early history. The island city has hosted the likes of Cabeza de Vaca, Jean Lafitte, Sam Houston, Jack Johnson, King Vidor, and Sam Maceo. A strategic target during the Civil War and military stronghold during both World Wars, Galveston endured through countless calamities, including the most damaging hurricane to hit the United States. From historic mansions to long-hidden outposts of the vice district, author Tristan Smith surveys the best places to catch a glimpse of the Oleander City's past, whether that comes in the form of museum treasure or Seawall panorama.

Houston earned its international reputation as a hub for space flight and the oil industry. But visitors don't need to search out the secrets of the stars or the depths of the earth to experience the impressive legacy of the nation's fourth-largest city.

Witness the rise of a metropolis from the tiny frontier outpost of Waterloo into a world leader in culture and technology. Discover the lost treasure of Shoal Creek in Pease Park or just a sense of inner peace amid the koi ponds and waterfalls of the Zilker Botanical Garden. Like the bats of Congress Avenue, navigate Austin neighborhoods by sound, taking cues from Stevie Ray Vaughan's beloved guitar and Angelina Eberly's city-saving cannon. Award-winning tour guide Jason Weems charts a course through Austin's heritage, treading the back streets stalked by a serial killer and the stately halls of the Texas State History Museum.

Explorers and pirates, hurricanes and shipwrecks, movie stars and presidents—a journey through Florida’s history and a guide to the places it happened. More than any other state (except Nevada), Florida is a state of transplants—where a quarter of the population comes from outside the US, and a third comes from other states. Thanks to its famous beaches and tourist attractions, it’s often thought of as more a destination than a home...even for those who live there. In spite of this—or perhaps because of it—the Sunshine State has one of the richest histories in the nation. Decades before the Pilgrims, the Spanish celebrated Thanksgiving in Florida. Centuries before the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York, the holiday was celebrated in St. Augustine, where urban renewal was underway when Jamestown settlers arrived. In this lively guide, James Clark offers a lifetime of places to explore and facts to fascinate, tracing the state’s long and colorful history from Pensacola to the Florida Keys. You’ll find photos, illustrations, and detailed lists of 10 forts, 10 wars, 5 flags that flew over Florida, 40 historic landmarks, 50 museums, and much more.

Author Tristan Smith offers an insightful guide through two dozen of Houston and Galveston's most historic cemeteries. Houston and Galveston's historic cemeteries lie scattered amongst the neighborhoods and thoroughfares of the nation's fourth largest city. Some of these portals to the past nestle in hidden pockets of the bustling metropolis. Other cemeteries carve out the kind of contemplative sanctuary that rivals the city's largest greenspaces. Explore the burial grounds around the Bayou City, where astronauts, musicians, movie stars and civic leaders rest alongside rogues, scoundrels and murderers.

Your no-nonsense, consumer-oriented guide to Disney's Cruise Line The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line by with Erin Foster, Laurel Stewart, and Ritchey Halphen describes the best of Disney's ships and itineraries, including a couple of stellar restaurants, top-notch children's activities, and Castaway Cay, one of the best vacation islands in the Caribbean. The book also lists which on-board entertainment and restaurants should be skipped, including recommendations on what to do instead. Along the way, this indispensable travel companion shows how to save money, choose the right stateroom, ship, and itinerary, and how to get to and from the cruise with ease. The guide also provides full coverage of the Disney-run European river cruises and includes itinerary and port guides.

Your no-nonsense, consumer-oriented guide to Disney’s Cruise Line The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line by Len Testa with Erin Foster, Laurel Stewart, and Ritchey Halphen describes the best of Disney’s ships and itineraries, including a couple of stellar restaurants, top-notch children’s activities, and Castaway Cay, one of the best vacation islands in the Caribbean. The book also lists which on-board entertainment and restaurants should be skipped, including recommendations on what to do instead. Along the way, this indispensable travel companion shows how to save money; choose the right stateroom, ship, and itinerary; and get to and from the cruise with ease. The guide also provides full coverage of the Disney-run European river cruises and includes itinerary and port guides.