If you enjoy home tours, then you should love Great Houses of Texas by Lisa Germany and photographed by Grant Mudford (Abrams, $50).

The full-color coffee-table book covers a wide range of architectural styles and locales, including homes not just from the major cities but also from towns such as Jefferson, Corsicana, Cat Spring and Eastland, which is the author's hometown. In all, 25 homes are presented in lavish color, and Germany writes knowledgeably about the architects who designed them.

The cover photo depicts the central courtyard at the King Ranch mansion (1915), which was the home to Henrietta King and, after her death, the Kleberg family. The legendary Crespi Mansion in Dallas (1939), the author observes, "transcends even local standards of privilege" in a city "that prides itself on its mansions."

The oldest homes in the book are Woodlawn in Austin, built in 1854, House of the Seasons in Jefferson (1872) and the League House in Galveston (1892).

Spectacular modern homes include the Bass House in Fort Worth (1970), the Stretto House in Dallas (1991) and the Nowlin House overlooking Lake Austin (2002).

Donald G. Kyle and Robert B. Fairbanks, historians at the University of Texas at Arlington, have edited a collection of six scholarly essays: Baseball in America & America in Baseball (Texas A&M University Press, $29.95 hardcover).

The essays were written by professors from throughout the U.S. One contributor is Texas A&M University history professor David Vaught, whose piece looks at baseball in rural California from 1850 to 1890.

Other chapters consider Japanese Americans and baseball in the 1930s; the Baltimore Black Sox (winner of the American Negro League in 1929); the profitability of Major League Baseball from 1900 to 1956, before the Dodgers and Giants moved west; the global influence of baseball between the World Wars; and the violent life of baseball legend Ty Cobb.

"For those of you who frequent the beach," writes Ann Marie Melson in The Work of the Lord: Seaside Reflections ($17.95 hardcover), "use this as an oceanside devotional. Carry it in your beach bag, and read it with your toes in the sand. Explore the character of the Lord as exemplified in His creation at the beach. Spread out your beach towel, and soak in the Son."

Melson wrote the 20 inspirational pieces and took the color photographs adding beauty to her words. For more, see her Web site, workofthelord.com.

• Glenn Dromgoole writes about Texas books and authors. Contact him at g.dromgoole@ suddenlink.net.

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