About the Author

NATALIE ORNISH was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, a third-generation Texan on both sides whose family dates to 1848. She obtained a bachelor's degree in English from Sam Houston State University at age 17, and at 18 became the youngest person at the time to obtain a master's degree from Northwestern University, in journalism.

Following graduation, she worked for the Associated Press in Omaha, Nebraska, later returning to Texas, founding Dallas Records & Creative Productions. An album of her original songs for children, The Ages of Childhood, was a featured gift in the famed Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalogue, and songs from the album were performed at a Dallas Symphony Orchestra children's concert. A video documentary on Alzheimer's research also received awards.

In 1976, Ornish wrote and produced a multi-media production, Texans All, in conjunction with the US Bicentennial. It was used in college classes to fulfill the multicultural requirement for the master's degree in education and by the Dallas Independent School District.

Between 1986 and 1996, Ornish contributed 61 entries to the New Handbook of Texas, published by the Texas State Historical Association.

Ornish's writings were also part of the 2008 compilation, Literary Dallas, the third in TCU Press's "Literary Cities" series.

Ornish is listed in The World Who's Who of Women, The International Who's Who of Intellectuals, and other publications.

Reviews

"From Jewish buccaneers with Jean Lafitte to Jewish patriots at the Alamo, Pioneer Jewish Texans is a rich look at an often overlooked aspect of Lone Star history."--Steve Bennett, chron.com-- (12/01/2011)