During my time as a park ranger at the Big Thicket, I've learned a lot about the ecology and history of the preserve through books, movies, paddle tours, and conversations with locals. Plenty of resources on the area are available, so I'll be reviewing some that I have discovered.
First up is Giant Under the Hill: A History of the Spindletop Oil Discovery at Beaumont, Texas, in 1901 by Ellen Walker Rienstra, Jo Ann Stiles, and Judith Walker Linsley, published by the Texas State Historical Association. These three sisters are 6th generation of Texans and have published other books on regional history. This book is a comprehensive overview of the story behind the beginning of the oil industry in Texas. It covers the same ground as the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum. In fact, the sisters were consulted for signage at the museum. The biographical content within the narrative is evenhanded, neither villainizing nor heroizing the oilmen; to be clear, many are still bad guys. The book also provides plenty of bibliographic resources if you want to read more about southeast Texas history.
At times, the book's pacing was uneven. A favorite story or event might take up several paragraphs, then skip ahead to different time, and even go back for another event. The occasional inconsistency in the timeline could make the plot hard to follow. For the most part, a careful rereading of the last page or two would clarify the authors' intentions.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those interested in southeast Texas history, the oil industry, and the beginning of the 20th century. This book is written for a general audience and would make a good choice for a book club or high school class. Some content of this book, which focus on the realities of living in a makeshift shanty town, are not appropriate for younger readers.
Abby Epplett Rating System: 8/10