JULY 2015 - AudioFile
P.J. Ochlan provides an urbane voice for this account of the 1836 Texas Revolution. His neutral, all-American pronunciation, as opposed to a Texas drawl, is suitable for the author’s assertion that the Texas Revolution is a key component of U.S. history rather than a mere Texas tale. As Ochlan describes the brave Texan defenders of the Alamo, he provides subtle color for Travis and Bowie, while lending a hint of fanaticism to the outlandish Mexican president Santa Anna. As the Battle of San Jacinto paves the way for the independent Republic of Texas, Sam Houston is portrayed as both a hero and a swashbuckling opportunist. Ochlan delivers this narrative with reverence for the author’s vivid historical details and vibrant real-life characters. N.M.C. 2016 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
With a wonderful eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Stephen L. Moore has provided an action-packed ride with the early Texas Rangers through the violent Republic years. ... He is one of the best writers working today.” — James M. Scott, author of Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor
“A page-turner. ... Moore has combined excellent research with perceptive analysis and a compelling narrative to bring to life the people and events of one of the most heroic episodes in American history.” — Thom Hatch, Spur Award-winning author of The Last Outlaws: The Lives and Legends of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
“Stephen L. Moore’s vivid portrayal of this tumultuous period helps bridge the gulf between fact and fiction in Texas Rangers’ history.” — Jody Edward Ginn, PhD, historian, former Texas Rangers Association
“Entertaining. ... Any western history buff or those who wish to learn more about the formative days of Texas will find this a fascinating read.” — The Californian
“A lively account of the battles of the Texas Revolution against Mexico in the 1830s and subsequent fighting against native tribes residing in the region. ... Colorful. ... [A] fast-moving narrative.” — Library Journal
A MAIN SELECTION OF THE HISTORY BOOK CLUB — *
The Californian
Entertaining. ... Any western history buff or those who wish to learn more about the formative days of Texas will find this a fascinating read.
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A MAIN SELECTION OF THE HISTORY BOOK CLUB
Jody Edward Ginn
Stephen L. Moore’s vivid portrayal of this tumultuous period helps bridge the gulf between fact and fiction in Texas Rangers’ history.
James M. Scott
With a wonderful eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Stephen L. Moore has provided an action-packed ride with the early Texas Rangers through the violent Republic years. ... He is one of the best writers working today.
Thom Hatch
A page-turner. ... Moore has combined excellent research with perceptive analysis and a compelling narrative to bring to life the people and events of one of the most heroic episodes in American history.
Library Journal
04/01/2015
Moore (Pacific Payback; Battle Surface) provides a lively account of the battles of the Texas Revolution against Mexico in the 1830s and subsequent fighting against native tribes residing in the region. As a tie-in with a forthcoming History Channel series of the same name, this account focuses on colorful description rather than analysis, effectively conveying the brutality of combat on all sides. Early on, Moore emphasizes how Texans justified the revolution in terms reminiscent of the American Revolution, with Mexican dictator Santa Anna depicted as the despot and Texans as the founding fathers. Beyond that, however, the author provides little to help understand the broader context of the feuding. The way in which happenings in Texas relate to Mexican history receives minimal attention, and the relationship of what occurred in Texas to events in the United States, from which most of these fighters migrated, remains unclear. Descriptions of Texas frontier society beyond the battlefields, including everyday relationships between settlers and Indian tribes is largely absent. Above all, readers not already familiar with the time line, places, and characters of the Texas Revolution may find themselves lost in the fast-moving narrative. VERDICT Those acquainted with the topic will find this a quick read. Others may want to wait until they view the television series. The book will primarily appeal to libraries with Texas or military history collections. [See Prepub Alert, 11/17/14.]—Charles K. Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato
