Journey to Texas, 1833

By: Detlef Dunt

Narrated by: Thomas D. Hand

In 1834, a German immigrant to Texas, D. T. F. (Detlef Thomas Friedrich) Jordt, aka Detlef Dunt, published Reise nach Texas, a delightful little book that praised Texas as "a land which puts riches in [the immigrant's] lap, which can bring happiness to thousands and to their descendants." Dunt's volume was the first one written by an on-the-ground observer to encourage German immigration to Texas, and it provides an unparalleled portrait of Austin's Colony from the lower Brazos region and San Felipe to the Industry and Frelsburg areas, where Dunt resided with Friedrich Ernst and his family.

Journey to Texas, 1833 offers the first English translation of Reise nach Texas. It brings to vivid life the personalities, scenic landscapes, and customs that Dunt encountered in colonial Texas on the eve of revolution, along with his many practical suggestions for Germans who intended to emigrate. The editors' introduction describes the social, political, and economic conditions that prompted Europeans to emigrate to Texas and provides biographical background on Dunt and his connection with Friedrich Ernst. Expanding our knowledge of German immigration to Texas beyond the more fully documented Hill Country communities, Journey to Texas, 1833 also adds an important chapter to the story of pre-Revolutionary Texas by a sophisticated commentator.

©2015 University of Texas Press (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Vivid reports on everyday life in the first Texas settlements.... Dunt's book will take its place at the very beginning of the chronological list of similar works and will help us to understand the influence his reports on Texas, as well as his advice to the Germans planning to come to the area, really had." (Meredith McClain, Texas Tech University)

Terrific description of settling Texas.

If you’re interested in how Texas was settled, especially from the German perspective, it’s an excellent book.

learned more about Texas history

having a german immigrant family who immigrated to Texas then Kansas, I found this most enjoyable and factual. This is mostly a how to and what to expect. I can just imagine being a German who had no why of getting any land that they could call their own and then moving across an ocean and a golf to Louisiana, getting an oxen and wagon, heading into Neuva Mexico (South and Central Texas). if you are a Texas historian, genealogist, or just curious, if recommend.