History presented within a novel is always an added feature. This book did it well, introducing you to key Texas leaders who fought the Texas Revolution against Mexico to eventually win making Texas first a Republic and later getting it annexed to United States as its 28th state.
The adventures and misadventures of Austin, Houston, Crockett, Bowie, Travis, Fannin, and some others are told without playing each up as a hero, but also showed some drunkenness, cowardliness, and fighting within. We hear so much of the hero badges, but never told of the faults that make them human and how some of those faults caused losses beyond what could have been avoided with properly experienced planning.
The timeline of battles and events from before the Alamo through the beginning of the Civil War is outlined with roles of the leaders and others each step of the way. Being a novel, despite so much footnoting, presented the history and leaders in an enjoyable way. Although it does capture the jest of the Texas Revolution vs. Mexico and General Santa Anna, it does leave out a little compared to the lessons we here is Texas learn in it's schools. For example, our children attended Bonham Middle School. So, we were expecting to hear something about Bonham's role in the Alamo -- he was one of the messengers who went to get Fannin's help for additional soldiers for the battle at the Alamo. Other details of the history are not in this book, but this is NOT a nonfictional book where it should be. For a novel, it is excellent and a necessary start to learning about how Texas fought to become a state. Superb work Mr. Kilmeade.
No comments:
Post a Comment