East Texas native Bob Mauldin, host of TV's Expedition Texas, has written a book based on the show. (Courtesy)

East Texas native Bob Mauldin, host of TV’s “Expedition Texas,” has written a book based on the show.

“The book kind of gives them something they don’t get from the show,” Mauldin said. “In the book, we sort of expound upon some of the things behind the scenes.”

The “Expedition Texas” TV show uncovers the mysteries of abandoned buildings, ghost towns, and lost Texas history sites. The book, “Expedition Texas: Tales from the Road,” is a standalone read or a companion piece that enriches the show’s narrative.

With nearly 30 years of experience in radio and television, Mauldin has dedicated the last decade of his career to uncovering Texas’s rich history through storytelling. Mauldin’s company, 31 West Productions, based in Tyler produces a diverse range of TV programs.

Mauldin’s first print project debuted on March 18 and is readily available for purchase online.

When asked to describe the show, Mauldin said, “If the weathered landmarks and forgotten trails of the Lone Star State could talk, this is what they might say.”

The book allows readers to hear the stories behind the stories.

Mauldin highlighted the emotional impact of visiting locations like the Branch Davidian compound in Waco. He also noted how other abandoned sites featured on the show underwent revitalization, such as the Statler Hilton in Dallas and the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells.

“There are places that we went to early in the series that were abandoned and derelict, but they are now open and very beautiful, nice places again,” Mauldin said. “We’re having fun and conversations, but at the same time, we’re teaching people about these hidden gems in every community.”

Mauldin often explores locations inaccessible to the public. The show aims to transport the audience to these otherwise unreachable places, providing them with a unique and immersive experience.

“With the book, we’re doing that too, but we’re also telling them the story of getting there, which sometimes is more interesting than what ends up on the TV show,” Mauldin said.

Broadcast TV’s time constraints limit contextual depth, prompting Mauldin to explore additional avenues suggested by the audience, like a book, Mauldin said. Museum visits and historian consultations revealed the potential for creating comprehensive print content.

Mauldin expressed a desire to depart from the conventional historical perspective found in many books and instead create content from the viewpoint of the adventurer.

“We tell the story of how, for example, the first episode of the show came about,” Mauldin said. “The things that you can’t see on the show are the emotions, the feelings, the things that we felt while we were there, and the things that were running through our mind.”