This comprehensive volume on the Texas A&M Bonfire tradition examines the 1999 Bonfire tragedy and proposes that the roots of the disaster lie in the unique and tradition-rich Texas A&M culture. This book takes a critical look at the practices that led to the collapse of the 59-foot tall 1999 Bonfire, which killed twelve students. A narrative of the collapse and the rescue operations are presented, as well as an analysis of the possible physical and human causes of the collapse.

The reader is then thrown back in time into a fascinating and detailed history of the Texas Aggie Bonfire. This history follows the Bonfire from its infancy as a pile of trash to its monstrous 1969 height of 110 feet, all the way to the present tragedy. Chronicled are the violence-stained integration of women into Bonfire construction, the environmental protests against the chopping of thousands of trees required for Bonfire each year, and reforms and impovements made to the glorious 90-year tradition.

Through interviews with seven members of the Aggie community, native Aggie Irwin Tang seeks to paint a clearer picture of the varied and complex Texas A&M culture. His conversations with students, faculty, and a former Corps of Cadets Commander reveal both the light and the dark sides of Aggieland and its constant conflicts between tradition and modern culture. From this serious study of Aggie culture emerges an examination into Bonfre's connection to the foundation of A&M culture, the mythical "Aggie Spirit."