Texas Monthly's editors have released the next book for reading list queues. To commemorate the publication's 50th anniversary, they've collected and bound the stories and photographs of 50 iconic Texans that have shaped our great state and the country over the past 50 years. And 14 Houston megastars have made it on the roster.
CultureMap archive photo
Former President George H.W. Bush (or "41," as he's lovingly known here) leads the list of Houstonians.
Lone Stars Rising is Texas Monthly's third book, created in collaboration with Harper Wave Books. Among the book's 256 pages are not just the rich histories and commentaries about our most recognizable Texas legends, but a few "lesser-known individuals who have been toiling on the sidelines, quietly and intentionally shaping" our perception of our vast and great state.
The 14 Houston idols that made it into the book include state political figures, innovative surgeons, business barons, marvelous musicians, inspirational artists, and awarded chefs.
- George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States
- Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected in the Texas Senate and former U.S. House Representative
- Annise Parker, 61st Mayor of Houston and former Houston City Council member
- George Mitchell, fracking revolution spearhead and creator of The Woodlands
- William P. "Bill" Hobby Jr. 37th Lieutenant Governor of Texas
- Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley, pioneering surgeons who helped develop the artificial heart
- John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods Market
- Beyoncé, because, Beyoncé
- DJ Screw, creator of the "chopped and screwed" music technique that became a hip-hop staple
- Brené Brown, University of Houston professor, famed author, and inspirational speaker
- Dominique de Menil, Houston art patron, civil rights activist, and philanthropist
- Hugo Ortega, James Beard award-winning chef and co-owner of Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi and Urbe
- Robert Del Grande, James Beard award-winning chef and former biochemist
