Latest / Hill Country Authors Podcast
Austin Sunrise: Phil Oakley on Postwar Texas, Houston’s Rise, and a Trilogy Shaped by History
Tom Fox interviews author Phil Oakley about Austin Sunrise, the third book in his trilogy, set from the end of World War II through major American turning points, including the Kennedy assassination.
Oakley discusses how the story evolved as the characters—brothers Brooks (based on his uncle) and Ray (based on his father)—grew, influenced in part by editor Loren Steffy. He explains how WWII-era social, political, and technological shifts (GI Bill, government expansion, early desegregation) shaped Texas, highlighting Brooks’ vantage point through his Austin restaurant near the Capitol and UT’s…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.