Posted in 5 paws, Giveaway, nonfiction, Texas, Travel on September 29, 2020

 

 

SIX FEET UNDER TEXAS:

 

 Unique, Famous, & Historic Graves in the Lone Star State

 

(Cemetery Tales Book 1)

 

by

 

TUI SNIDER

 

Genre: Nonfiction / Texana / History / Texas Travel

Publisher: Castle Azle Press

Date of Publication: August 15, 2020

Number of Pages: 250 pages

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Explore the cemeteries of Texas with Tui Snider as she reveals overlooked history in these fascinating open-air museums.

 

Along the way, you’ll meet fascinating characters, including a whistleblower who died in suspicious circumstances, an oilman who added a phone line to his mausoleum, and the events that caused two “frenemies” to be chained together in death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always enjoy books from Tui because I learn so much. This book is no different and I was enthralled with the variety of people buried in Texas and their stories. I know every state has its own celebrity graves, but I live in Texas so am more interested in what is here in our fine state.

Tui takes us on a journey through time visiting cemeteries with notable residents and interesting markers. One comment she makes is that “cemeteries are more than a place of death. It was also a place to bring the families together and celebrate the living.” How true because a cemetery is not for the dead, it is for the living to remember the past and celebrate the lives of those that have gone before us.

I am always amazed at the depth of Tui’s research into her books and she is able to find details to corroborate the stories that are passed down as to whether they are the truth or just an urban legend. There is one cemetery in Gainsville that has a huge oak tree that was the scene of a Great Hanging in 1864 where many men were lynched and there is even a drawn image reflecting the scene. I liked this comment from the author “that while it is nothing to be proud of and should not be forgotten. At the very least, such an incident serves as a reminder of how important a well-structured legal system is to the stability of a nation.”

There are even some humorous stories and one of them is about a Hungarian immigrant named Anthony Bascilli. He was well prepared for the day he died. He slept in his coffin to ensure it was comfortable, had his grave dug and lined with brick and mortar, and even had plans for when the dirt that would cover him “to ensure that it would be gently shoveled rather than roughly tossed into his grave, he hid bottles of whisky throughout the mound. I guess these were like party favors for the gravediggers!”

If you are even mildly interested in the history behind graves and tombstones and how things came to be, you need to read this book. While I might not visit these various cemeteries (and she provides an address at the end of each story in case you do want to visit), I do feel like I learned a little bit more about Texas and those who came before me. Side note, I have visited Oswald’s grave that is mentioned in this book. It is very unassuming but I didn’t know the story about the grave next to it for Nick Beef.

We give this book 5 paws up and cannot wait to read the next volume and learn more and who knows, maybe one day I’ll visit some of these cemeteries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tui Snider is an author, speaker, photographer, YouTuber, podcast host, and musician who researches historic cemeteries and symbolism, offbeat Texas travel, overlooked history, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction–but then I moved to Texas!”

 

Snider’s best-selling books include Understanding Cemetery Symbols100 Things to Do in Dallas-Fort Worth Before You DieParanormal Texas, and many more. Snider has several books in progress and enjoys connecting with readers all over the globe through social media, her weekly newsletter, and her website.

 

◆  Website  ◆  Facebook  ◆  Twitter  ◆

 

◆  Amazon Author Page  ◆  Goodreads  ◆

 

◆  Instagram  ◆   YouTube  ◆

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

 THREE WINNERS 

 

GRAND PRIZE (US only):

 

Paperback + $10 Amazon Gift Card + Thank You Postcard

 

2ND PRIZE (US only): Paperback & Thank You Postcard

 

3RD PRIZE  (worldwide): e-book

 

  September 29-October 9, 2020

 

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary LIfe Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily

or visit the blogs directly:

 

9/29/20 Review StoreyBook Reviews
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9/30/20 Review Momma on the Rocks
10/1/20 Review Missus Gonzo
10/1/20 Review The Clueless Gent
10/2/20 Review Reading by Moonlight
10/2/20 Review The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
10/3/20 Review Forgotten Winds
10/4/20 Review That’s What She’s Reading
10/5/20 Review Chapter Break Book Blog
10/6/20 Review Hall Ways Blog
10/7/20 Review Max Knight
10/7/20 Review All the Ups and Downs
10/8/20 Review It’s Not All Gravy
10/8/20 Review Book Fidelity

 

 

 

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