A huge, riveting, deeply imagined novel about the siege and fall of the Alamo in 1836, an event that formed the conscousness of Texas and that resonates through American history. It follows the lives of 3 people whose fates become bound to the now-fabled Texas fort. The story unfolds with vivid immediacy and describes the pivotal battle from the perspective of the Mexican attackers as well as the American defenders. Filled with dramatic scenes and abounding in fictional and historical personalities. A historical novel at its best.
A novel about the siege and fall of the Alamo, this book follows of three (fictional) people whose fates become bound to the fort: Edmund McGowan, a naturalist; Mary Mott, a widowed innkeeper; and Mary's teenage son Terrell. It tells the story from the perspective of both the Mexican and American armies.
I did enjoy the book. Since I grew up in Texas, I also grew up with the story of the Alamo. Although this is a work of fiction, the author tries to stick to the truth as much as possible. As he admits, the truth and myth of the Alamo are so entwined that it is impossible to be completely factual or to please everybody. I think he did a good job of writing an entertaining, engrossing book.
I did enjoy the book. Since I grew up in Texas, I also grew up with the story of the Alamo. Although this is a work of fiction, the author tries to stick to the truth as much as possible. As he admits, the truth and myth of the Alamo are so entwined that it is impossible to be completely factual or to please everybody. I think he did a good job of writing an entertaining, engrossing book.
This a great historical novel about the Battle of the Alamo.
This book is a fascinating retelling of the fall of the Alamo as Texians strive to claim Texas for themselves or the US. Yes, they called themselves the Texians. The author researched and wrote about both the Mexican and Texian sides of the story, inserting several fictional characters including Mary Mott and her son, Terrell, and Edmund McGowan for the Texians, Blas and Telesforo for the Mexicans. Their stories blend so well into the historical aspects that one feels they were real.
Mary is a strong woman who lost her husband and survives an encounter with Indians during which she kills her attacker and loves her son unconditionally. Terrell grows up as the war develops and seeks the challenges of war by joining those who want to retrieve Texas from Mexico. Edmund is an idealistic and dedicated scientist who lives for his passion of documenting the plants of Texas. He has neither wife nor woman friend and, of course, no children. Blas is a Mexican soldier who endures the travails presented by this vast territory and participates in the battles. Telesforo is an ambitiously talented artist who becomes Santa Anna's map maker.
The reader also encounters the famous men who gave their lives during this seige. While we remember most of them from history the author describes them with their foibles as well as their determination and brilliance. Although lengthy, the tale unfolds seamlessly as time passes to describe many events unleashed by the defeat of those in the small mission known as the Alamo. "Remember the Alamo" became a rallying cry for the battles following the fall of the Alamo. This is a well researched and most informative read that blends with the lives of fictional characters like many who were affected by these events.
Mary is a strong woman who lost her husband and survives an encounter with Indians during which she kills her attacker and loves her son unconditionally. Terrell grows up as the war develops and seeks the challenges of war by joining those who want to retrieve Texas from Mexico. Edmund is an idealistic and dedicated scientist who lives for his passion of documenting the plants of Texas. He has neither wife nor woman friend and, of course, no children. Blas is a Mexican soldier who endures the travails presented by this vast territory and participates in the battles. Telesforo is an ambitiously talented artist who becomes Santa Anna's map maker.
The reader also encounters the famous men who gave their lives during this seige. While we remember most of them from history the author describes them with their foibles as well as their determination and brilliance. Although lengthy, the tale unfolds seamlessly as time passes to describe many events unleashed by the defeat of those in the small mission known as the Alamo. "Remember the Alamo" became a rallying cry for the battles following the fall of the Alamo. This is a well researched and most informative read that blends with the lives of fictional characters like many who were affected by these events.
Good read - I learned alot about the Alamo
This book was a New York Times Bestseller. It is an engrossing novel of the fight for and fall of the Alamo in 1836. It follows the lives
of three people whose lives become bound together at the fort. Edmund
McGowan, a gifted naturalist, the resourceful innkeeper Mary Mott and
her sixteen-year old son, Terrell. Other people featured in the novel
are James Bowie, David Crockett. William Travis and Santa Anna.
of three people whose lives become bound together at the fort. Edmund
McGowan, a gifted naturalist, the resourceful innkeeper Mary Mott and
her sixteen-year old son, Terrell. Other people featured in the novel
are James Bowie, David Crockett. William Travis and Santa Anna.
great book
Although the book depicts the violence of the time, it was a really good read.
I looked forward to this. It was good, but I found that my interest in it went up and down throughout the book. Might have been that I was distracted while reading, so it may have not been the books fault.
Stephen Harrigan has produced a fine novel centered on the siege of the Alamo, peopled by both fictional and historic characters from both sides. Along the way, he provides an overview of the political situation in Mexico at the time and takes several healthy swipes at some of the most prevalent Alamo myths.
By and large, none of the Texas Pantheon make it through with their historical haloes intact. Travis, Austin, Bowie, and Houston are presented as flawed, even vainglorious men. Of them all, Davey Crockett comes off as the most human, though even he is portrayed as driven not so much by a fight for some nebulous political freedom as he is by the opportunity to withdraw from a humiliating political defeat and make a fresh start with headright land in an independent Texas.
The fictional characters tend to come off as much more admirable, and are well-drawn and believable. The description of the final assault on the mission is grimly realistic, and Harrigan extends his story past the iconic battle, painting the aftermath in broad strokes that nevertheless provide a reasonably clear picture of the events that led to Texas independence.
By and large, none of the Texas Pantheon make it through with their historical haloes intact. Travis, Austin, Bowie, and Houston are presented as flawed, even vainglorious men. Of them all, Davey Crockett comes off as the most human, though even he is portrayed as driven not so much by a fight for some nebulous political freedom as he is by the opportunity to withdraw from a humiliating political defeat and make a fresh start with headright land in an independent Texas.
The fictional characters tend to come off as much more admirable, and are well-drawn and believable. The description of the final assault on the mission is grimly realistic, and Harrigan extends his story past the iconic battle, painting the aftermath in broad strokes that nevertheless provide a reasonably clear picture of the events that led to Texas independence.
