FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin, TX – Join the Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. for an in-person event, #TXBookChat LIVE with author Sam Haynes. He will discuss his book Unsettled Land: From Revolution to Republic, the Struggle for Texas, an essential narrative about a major turning point in the history of North America.

The Texas Revolution has long been cast as an epic episode in the origins of the American West. As the story goes, larger-than-life figures like Sam Houston, David Crockett and William Barret Travis fought to free Texas from repressive Mexican rule. In Unsettled Land, Haynes shows how the lives of ordinary people were upended by extraordinary events over 25 years. 

In this interview, Haynes will discuss his book, as well as how the American Revolution inspired aspects of the Texas Revolution—a particularly timely subject since 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He will also discuss Lorenzo de Zavala (the namesake of TSLAC’s flagship building) and his importance to Texas history.

This event is free and open to the public. Register online.

Hosted in the Public Event Space at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, Capitol Complex, 1201 Brazos St. in Austin, these events are free and open to the public. Parking is available at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage across the street. Additional parking options, including handicapped parking, along with directions and maps, are available on TSLAC’s website at www.tsl.texas.gov/visit.

The Texas Center for the Book’s #TXBookChat series has provided a platform for discussions with authors, librarians and literary professionals since 2020. These informal events offer a quick look into different aspects of the state’s literary world and help to showcase Texas authors and books. For more information, and to view videos of past events, visit the website at www.tsl.texas.gov/txbookchat.

One of 50 state centers affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Texas Center for the Book is under the direction of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

Attendees are invited to explore TSLAC’s current Texas history exhibit and research resources while visiting. Named a National Literary Landmark, the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building located directly east of the Texas Capitol. View the six flags flown over Texas, six Texas seal mosaics and the panoramic Texas history mural in the lobby. Conduct research in the Reference Reading Room and Archives Research Room. Call (512) 463-5437 for information.

For more information contact Michele Chan Santos at mcsantos@tsl.texas.gov or visit tsl.texas.gov/centerforthebook.