Texasmay well be America’s most controversial state. Evangelicals dominate the hallsof power, an incredible number of its people reside in poverty, and its own death row is thebusiest in the united states. Skeptical outsiders possess found much to be offended byin the state’s politics and attitude, yet, relating to journalist, andTexan, Erica Grieder, america has a good deal to understand from Texas.

InBig, Hot, Cheap, and Best, Grieder traces the politics background of astate that was constantly larger than existence. From its rowdy beginnings, Texas hascombined a long-standing suspicion of federal government intrusion using a interest forbusiness. Seeking to the present, Grieder assesses the initial mix of procedures onissues like immigration, personal debt, taxes, legislation, and energy, which togetherhave sparked a bona fide Texas miracle of job development. While acknowledging thatit still has plenty of twenty-first century problems to handle, she finds inTexas a style of governance whose power continues to be drastically underestimated.Her book is a fascinating exploration of America’s underrated powerhouse.