A vivid history of America's biggest, baddest prison system and how it came to lead the nation's punitive revolution In the prison business, all roads lead to Texas. The most locked-down state in the nation has led the way in criminal justice severity, from assembly-line executions to isolation supermaxes, from prison privatization to sentencing juveniles as adults. Texas Tough, a sweeping history of American imprisonment from the days of slavery to the present, shows how a plantation-based penal system once dismissed as barbaric became the national template. Drawing on convict accounts, official records, and interviews with prisoners, guards, and lawmakers, historian Robert Perkinson reveals the Southern roots of our present-day prison colossus. While conventional histories emphasize the North's rehabilitative approach, he shows how the retributive and profit-driven regime of the South ultimately triumphed. Most provocatively, he argues that just as convict leasing and segregation emerged in response to Reconstruction, so today's mass incarceration, with its vast racial disparities, must be seen as a backlash against civil rights. Illuminating for the first time the origins of America's prison juggernaut, Texas Tough points toward a more just and humane future.

A rancher must fight to protect his family—and the heiress he loves—in this romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Calder Saga. He’s everything she doesn’t need. The quiet horse whisperer whose touch still ignites her dreams—and is everything wealthy Lauren Prescott is not. She can think of a million reasons why she should never ever fall into Sky Fletcher's sure embrace again. Until she clashes head-on with the dangerous complications of her privileged life and needs his protection like air to breathe… She's more than he can resist. The heiress Sky can't get out of his heart, no matter how much he tries. And being the secret third Tyler son doesn't change a thing. All he wants from his two brothers is help uncovering a dangerous conspiracy threatening his land, their ranch, and the spirited beauty he never should have touched…. Praise for the Tylers of Texas series "Big, bold, and sexy, Texas True is Janet Dailey at her best!”—Kat Martin “Dailey does the genre proud with plenty of intrigue, subplots, twists and, of course, love. Fans and newcomers alike will revel in the ride.”—Publishers Weekly on Texas Tall

A collection of Courtney's columns from the Texas Monthly, curing the curious, exorcizing bedevilment, and orienting the disoriented, advising "on such things as: Is it wrong to wear your football team's jersey to church? When out at a dancehall, do you need to stick with the one that brung ya? Is it real Tex-Mex if it's served with a side of black beans? Can one have too many Texas-themed tattoos?"--Amazon.com.

He's the kind of cowboy even big-city women dream about… The only reason artsy Abby Carmichael is way out in Royal, Texas, is to shoot a documentary film. But to get it right, she needs a cowboy. And fifth-generation Texas Cattleman’s Club member Carter Crane is it. His slow drawl, blue eyes and swagger say he’s the real deal…and their sparks ignite like wildfire. But when her work reveals big-money secrets that could bring down Royal, Abby must choose between the film that could make her career or riding into the sunset with Carter… Mills & Boon Desire — Luxury, scandal, desire — welcome to the lives of the elite.

The bestselling author of How Children Succeed returns with a devastatingly powerful, mind-changing inquiry into higher education in the U.S.

"Big, bold, and sexy, Texas True is Janet Dailey at her best!" --Kat Martin He's the one who got away. The cowboy who claimed her heart before taking off on a tour of duty, planning never to return. But Beau Tyler is back, and Natalie Haskell feels defenseless against the powerful pull of the brawny soldier. Especially when she finds herself suddenly widowed and needing the shelter of his strong arms. She's the hometown sweetheart. The girl Beau left behind but never forgot, despite his battle-scarred soul. Now Natalie is the real reason he's staying on at the ranch, despite rumors that he was somehow involved in her late husband's death. Because something in Beau has stirred to life again--something he believed his painful past had destroyed. And not even wild horses can keep him from the woman he still loves . . ..

A dangerous complication in an heiress' life places her under the protection of a former flame, who hides his identity as a Tyler son while asking for his brothers' help in uncovering a conspiracy that threatens their ranch.

The New York Times–bestselling author presents a modern Western romance “as satisfying and comfy as well-worn boots” (Publishers Weekly). He’s the prodigal son ready to claim his legacy . . . He came home to sell his family’s failing ranch, but once twenty-year-old Bull Tyler sets foot on the Rimrock, he’s determined to tame the rugged land and make it his own. First he’ll have to take on the powerful Prescott clan, who’ll do anything to get their hands on the Tylers’ holding—even murder. Then Bull sets eyes on the breathtaking woman earmarked to be Ferg Prescott’s bride. Now nothing will stop Bull from taking the land—or the lady who stirs his blood like no other—and building a dynasty worthy of both . . . She’s the pampered beauty he won’t let get away . . . She was born to privilege, and raised to do the right thing. But Susan Rutledge has never felt anything like the fire she feels for Bull Tyler. Yet can she defy her father’s strong will and leave her secure life for a ramblin’ rodeo man? She’d have to be crazy—or crazy in love . . . “Big, bold, and sexy . . .Janet Dailey at her best!” —Kat Martin on Texas True “Plenty of intrigue, subplots, twists, and of course, love. Fans and newcomers alike will revel in this ride.” —Publishers Weekly on Texas Tall

When a city girl meets a Lone Star lover, can she resist temptation? Find out in this Texas Cattleman’s Club: Heir Apparent novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Janice Maynard. He's the kind of cowboy even big-city women dream about… The only reason artsy Abby Carmichael is way out in Royal, Texas, is to shoot a documentary film. But to get it right, she needs a cowboy. And fifth-generation Texas Cattleman’s Club member Carter Crane is it. His slow drawl, blue eyes and swagger say he’s the real deal… Their sparks ignite like wildfire. But when her work reveals big-money secrets that could bring down Royal, Abby must choose between the film that could make her career or riding into the sunset with Carter… From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite. Love triumphs in these uplifting romances, part of the Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series: Book 1: Back in the Texan's Bed by Naima Simone Book 2: At the Rancher's Pleasure by Joss Wood Book 3: Blue Collar Billionaire by Karen Booth Book 4: The Trouble with Bad Boys by Katherine Garbera Book 5: Texas Tough by Janice Maynard Book 6: Trapped with the Texan by Joanne Rock Book 7: How to Catch a Bad Boy by Cat Schield Book 8: Bidding on a Texan by Barbara Dunlop

Originally published: New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010.