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captaincocanutty's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Straightforward and streamlined history of Texas independence. Appreciated how Brands gave us more background information about the major figures like Austin, Houston, Bowie, Travis, and Fanin, as well as the political context of Mexico at the time.
Straightforward and streamlined history of Texas independence. Appreciated how Brands gave us more background information about the major figures like Austin, Houston, Bowie, Travis, and Fanin, as well as the political context of Mexico at the time.
socraticgadfly's review
5.0
Brands, without being multicultural for multiculturalism's sake, documents both the Hispanic and the Anglo contribution to Texas' independence. He does so without giving saccharine descriptions of either group's leadership or their ability to always get alone with one another, either before or after 1836.
And, in the years leading up to the Texas Revolution, he doesn't sidestep the slavery question either.
That honest eye is important, because in the last section of the book, he carries the story of Texas forward through 1865.
And, in the years leading up to the Texas Revolution, he doesn't sidestep the slavery question either.
That honest eye is important, because in the last section of the book, he carries the story of Texas forward through 1865.
uisge_beatha's review against another edition
4.0
Solid history that provides greater nuance to a set of events that are too often willfully misrepresented. Could have benefited from an even more critical perspective, and more voices representing actors other than Anglo men.
toitoine's review against another edition
5.0
A great book about the Texas Revolution that almost reads like an adventure novel.
H.W. Brands tells the stories of the main leaders of the Revolution and their respective backstories: Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, William B. Travis, James Bowie, Davy Crockett... All his given to understand why they fought in the war. Lesser-known but nonetheless important figures are also followed such as Herman Ehrenberg's incredible fate.
All events are vividly described with of course a crucial spot given to the Alamo and the battle of San Jacinto. This book is quite event-driven so I recommend it for those who want to know what happened without expecting much-detailed descriptions of the life on the Texian frontier.
Great read as part of a U.S. history marathon.
H.W. Brands tells the stories of the main leaders of the Revolution and their respective backstories: Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, William B. Travis, James Bowie, Davy Crockett... All his given to understand why they fought in the war. Lesser-known but nonetheless important figures are also followed such as Herman Ehrenberg's incredible fate.
All events are vividly described with of course a crucial spot given to the Alamo and the battle of San Jacinto. This book is quite event-driven so I recommend it for those who want to know what happened without expecting much-detailed descriptions of the life on the Texian frontier.
Great read as part of a U.S. history marathon.
frownonfun's review
3.0
Not sure if it was the topic or what but I just didn't enjoy this a much as the author's book on Grant. Took me much longer to finish this one, that's for sure. Having attended public schools in Texas my entire life, it's possible I've been too heavily steeped in Texas history (and myth) to ever find it interesting.
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