Book Review - The Big Rich

By Bryan Burrough, 438 pages (2009)

As a lifelong Texan, I have always heard about the Hunt, Bass, Cullen and Murchison families and their oil fortunes and football teams. But only after reading The Big Rich did I appreciate how much they shaped the image of Texas across the globe and how they affect Texas and American culture even today. Bryan Burrough, author of Public Enemies (the book the recent film is based on), has rendered a perfectly realized distillation of how 4 families and their eccentric and diverse patriarchs have influenced the world. Click below for more on a fascinating book:


The biggest thing I feel after reading this book is shame - that I didn't read it sooner. I feel like a sorry excuse for a Texan and especially a Dallasite for not knowing more about the Hunts (who are still major players in Dallas society and business) and the Murchisons (Clint Jr. created the Cowboys and owned them until 1983). The varied tales of how they acquired their oil fields and fortunes are amazing in the amount of luck, grit and cut-throat business. Burrough also delves into the group's philanthropy (mostly Cullen in Houston and Bass in Fort Worth) and their weird and varied national political involvement (the scene in JFK where LBJ is meeting with the oilmen is based on this group).

Probably the most interesting parts of the book are the tales of HL Hunt's families and the downfall of the Murchisons. Hunt was married with children when he 'married' a second woman in Miami, siring 4 more children. Then, later, he started yet another secret family and they lived within walking distance of his existing house. As for the Murchisons, Burrough's depiction of the bankruptcy of Clint Jr. and especially the scene when his creditors and lawyers descended on his estate amidst an ice storm - are riveting. I'd love to see a thoughtful director take this on.

An absolute must read for any Texan - but a great page turner for anyone interested in the story of 4 wildcatters that became the wealthiest men in the world just by digging in the dirt and how they spent that fortune.