Because the state of Texas is the largest single market for secondary texts in the nation and because its state adoption process has drawn a small but well-organized group of protestors, the Texas textbook adoption process has begun to shape textbooks in use nationwide. A study was conducted to examine the arguments most recently used by citizens protesting selections in literature textbooks proposed for adoption by the state of Texas. The study involved several approaches: a reader-response analysis; a tally of authors and works attacked; and analysis of numbers of petitioners, numbers of written arguments, and numbers of oral arguments; and an analysis of general statements about literature, education, and culture. The analyses revealed key assumptions of the protestors. First, they define literature primarily in terms of a literal reading of its content. Literature is expected to be uplifting and optimistic, and to present traditional American values. Second, they view the schools as places where children should receive a factual, skills-based education. Third, the protestors use their knowledge of the system in a well-organized attack that has gained maximum effect from the arguments of a small number of people. As a result, textbooks are traditional, inoffensive, and bland. (Author/DF)