Galveston a History by David G. Mccomb

¶ … Galveston: A History (1986) by David G. McComb

The book Galveston: A History is both a detailed chronological and thematic analysis, of the four-century-old history, mainly from a technological perspective, of Galveston, Texas. Its author, David G. McComb, "is a professor of history at Colorado State University, and has published numerous books and articles on Texas history" (Texas State Historical Association).The thesis of the book is that, throughout the history of Galveston, including its key natural and technological events, e.g., hurricanes and storms; a yellow fever outbreak, the Civil War; port construction; the building a medical school, people there have struggled, and struggle today, to live in this idyllic yet dangerous setting. Further, the history of Galveston proves that technology (and humanity) cannot circumvent the awesome power of nature.

Although Galveston, is best-known today as a major port of the Gulf of Mexico and tourist destination (and, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, for its 1900 storm), McCombs's book focuses on "urban biography" of the island, along with Galveston's unique technological development. For example, McComb chronicles Galveston's past and present status (since the 18th century) as a major shipping port within the Gulf of Mexico.

The University of Texas Press, publisher of Galveston: A History, considers the book to be "at the forefront of a trend in writing urban biographies emphasizing technology as the dynamic force in urban development" ("Galveston: A History"). As such, it describes an often contradictory relationship between technology and Galveston. Chapter 4, "The Great Storm and the Technological Response," which I personally found the most interesting of the book's six chapters, describes in detail how Galveston was leveled, and thousands of its residents killed, in the great (unnamed) storm of 1900, and how technology of the time (and since then) was used to restore the island to vibrancy and beauty.

Galveston historian Maury Darst calls this book: "One of the best studies of Galveston history. . . Maybe it's the mention of familiar places, the old names, or maybe it's remembering oral history recited in countless family car trips across the causeway. Whatever the reason, there seems to be a slight aroma of salt air coming from these pages" (Reviewer comment). Jane A. Kenamore, Head of Special Collections at the Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas, also states:

Galveston: A History will attract several types of readers. Scholars will use the book as the basis for further research; genealogists with roots in Galveston will read it for the story, index, and citations leading to other sources; and Texas history buffs, tourists, and newcomers to the area will read the book for pure enjoyment. McComb is a great storyteller. (Reviewer comment)

The Texas State Historical Association states: "This authoritative and well-written history of Galveston provides an overview of the city's rich and colorful past and provides readers, researchers, and tourists with information about today's historical points of interest" ("Galveston: A History and a Guide)"

Galveston: A History contains a Preface; six chapters; Notes, and an Appendix. The book's initial chapters provide comprehensive, sometimes overly-detailed, descriptions of the history; geography; geology; natural resources; weather patterns; flora and fauna; port status; and indigenous and other peoples, always through a lens of the island's past and present technology.

As McComb notes in the first chapter, "The first humans to utilize the resources of Galveston Island were the Karankawa Indians." McComb also discusses, chronologically, how both the Spanish and the French explored the island during the 18th and 19th centuries. McComb notes, though, that: