mac
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,790
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Post by mac on May 1, 2023 13:46:03 GMT
I first knew of the Alamo because of a movie with with Fess Parker. Loved all his action stuff as a kid. Second only to Errol Flynn.
The Alamo is a very fascinating story and puzzle.
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Post by Elwood on May 4, 2023 19:38:42 GMT
OK. Did everyone die, or are you just hiding? Have been traveling with the girlfriend. Phoenix, Palm Springs, now back up to Sausalito. I am about to go over and post in the Tank thread. Have some interesting info.
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Post by quincannon on May 5, 2023 3:02:51 GMT
Well if it makes you feel any better Mister E, I alone Know The Way To San Jose
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Post by miker on May 5, 2023 3:21:24 GMT
I thought I did but lost my way. I can still find hobby shops out there. I did not lose my way at the NTC, but I was only the S-4.
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Post by Elwood on May 19, 2023 17:15:54 GMT
Was at bookstore in Sausalito with the girlfriend to hear Luke Russert, Tim Russert’s son, speak. Anyway, was browsing beforehand, small historical section, but picked up book, The Alamo Story by JR Edmondson. In the 20-30 minutes I flipped thru and read, was impressed. A lot of background info on the individuals involved. Read about Jim Bowie and his brother and origins of the Knife. Easy reading but seemed well researched and informative. You familiar with this book?
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Post by quincannon on May 19, 2023 17:49:26 GMT
No, I'm not.
There are two essential books on the Alamo in my estimation, "A Time To Stand" by Walter Lord, and "The Alamo Reader" by Hansen. Lord's work needs no elaboration by me. Everything he has written is exceptional. "Stands" great attribute is that he gives you a feel for the times. It makes you understand the WHY, if he is a little short in the HOW department. "Alamo Reader" essentially collects all of the documentary evidence under one cover. A must have if you intend to get serious about the subject.
PS: Part of that WHY I mentioned in Lord's book is in the first chapter where he puts you in the room with Travis writing the letter of 23 February and then goes on to explain why a missive written in a broken down old mission in the middle of nowheresville became one of the greatest documents in American history, along with the Declaration of Independence and the famous "Nuts" letter from Bastogne. With these others mentioned it tells you what America and Americans are all about.
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Post by Elwood on May 19, 2023 20:24:10 GMT
My Dad had a couple of Lord books, he (my Dad) was an authority, my belief, on Mexican history. Read Time to Stand years ago, may need to re-read. Not familiar with the Alamo Reader tho.
FYI, 80 pages to go in . . . Trumpets.
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Post by quincannon on May 20, 2023 4:08:31 GMT
Mister E. You read slower than the battle itself.
No Silent Night, Alamo in the Ardennes, and Bitter Woods need to be on you to read list.
Alamo Reader is probably quite hard to find. If you're interested though the first stop in your look should be the Alamo Museum. They have a fairly extensive book department as part of their gift shop. They had it in 2010 when I was last there.
One of my favorites by Lord is "Dawn's Early Light". I discovered when reading it that the British Army on the way to Bladensburg crossed right over my grandfather's tobacco farm.
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Post by Elwood on May 20, 2023 4:14:39 GMT
Mister E. You read slower than the battle itself. True. However I’ve made couple of long trips to Texas and the southwest, didn’t pick up the book for several weeks each trip. Should knock it out in a few more days. Girlfriend wants to visit San Antonio. Hoping to do that in the next year or so. Thanks for recommendations.
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Post by quincannon on May 20, 2023 15:00:35 GMT
You are quite welcome. When you visit San Antonio, be sure to see Mission San Juan. That visit will give you more of a perspective on what the Alamo might have been like in 1836.
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Post by Elwood on Jul 17, 2023 16:25:25 GMT
The Alamo Story by JR Edmondson. I ended up getting this book. Impressed with it so far. Lots of pre-battle history of the Alamo and the state, characters. On page 240 now and just getting to the battle to take San Antonio from Cos. Writer is very good, well researched, lots of info. But he is never afraid, on any subject to say, "We really aren't sure what went on here." Maybe he will write something on the LBH sometime. Just refreshing to hear an author say that he doesn't know everything.
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Post by quincannon on Jul 18, 2023 6:52:48 GMT
Ordered the book.
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Post by Elwood on Jul 18, 2023 15:50:14 GMT
Well I hope and believe you will like it. Very good style of writing, like you were talking to someone over a cup of coffee. Or beer. He (Edmondson) constantly cites his sources. I enjoyed reading about the Bowie brothers San Saba fight with the Indians. Had heard of it, goes into more depth here.
Edmondson takes on all subjects and “myths”. Far from being a revisionist, he finds there are often more facts aligned with these stories than people think. Again tho, he is never afraid to say, we simply don't know for certain.
More later as I’m getting into the Alamo battle itself.
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Post by quincannon on Jul 18, 2023 17:38:40 GMT
Does sound good.
If you want to read a very good historical novel about Jim Bowie try to find "The Iron Mistress" by Paul Wellman. Same guy wrote "The Comancheros" and "Magnificent Destiny" All three are terrific. You would particularly enjoy Magnificent Destiny, about the Jackson/Houston relationship. Historical novels if they are well written and well researched add so much color to history which is by its very nature colorful at times, but dry color.
The Alamo Story should be here next early week, but I have "Snow and Steel" a Bulge reread for me, and John McManus' third and final volume of the U S Army in the Pacific in front of it. Not to mention half a dozen tanks to paint and complete. Did I mention Scruffy needs a haircut too?
PS: You mentioned wishing Edmondson would write a book on LBH citing that he would probably say he does not know, when he does not know. Your fingers to God's ear on that one. Keep in mind one thing when you read about the battle itself, a lot is known The Mexicans were not shy about writing down what happened and there were also a lot of live eye witnesses who told their story. That is why I say you must obtain a copy of the "Alamo Reader" by Hansen. Nothing but pure documentation with little editorializing by Hansen. That book is essential to any serious Alamo student. Alamo gift shop had it last time I was there, and they do mail order.
Controversy does arise though in the understandable Texian proclivity to paint the entire event as an historical example of Texian gallantry worthy of no less than Homer, and downplay the Mexican planning and execution. Santa Anna's plan for taking the place was masterful driving half of the garrison out from the walls into the open area where the park, the Menger Hotel, and River Center are now. That's where the battle was most vicious, not with Davy Crockett swing Old Betsy as the camera pans skyward driving the legend into the West. Almonte's diary tells the tale, and Santa Anna invented chewing gum when he was not skirt chasing.
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Post by Elwood on Jul 19, 2023 16:38:43 GMT
Keep in mind one thing when you read about the battle itself, a lot is known The Mexicans were not shy about writing down what happened and there were also a lot of live eye witnesses who told their story. That is why I say you must obtain a copy of the "Alamo Reader" by Hansen. Nothing but pure documentation with little editorializing by Hansen. That book is essential to any serious Alamo student. Alamo gift shop had it last time I was there, and they do mail order. Controversy does arise though in the understandable Texian proclivity to paint the entire event as an historical example of Texian gallantry worthy of no less than Homer, and downplay the Mexican planning and execution. Santa Anna's plan for taking the place was masterful I am noticing that Hansen's Reader is listed on the bibliography. No doubt Edmondson does utilize it. There were also a good number of survivors of the battle, non-combatants, whose recollections are also used. Citizens of San Antonio, etc. Col. Almonte of the Mexican army kept a diary, Edmondson references this, he also says in a couple of areas it was mis-interpreted. Knowing the Spanish language as I do, one wrongly translated word can goof up the entire proceedings. Still, quite valuable. Numerous Mexican officers are quoted. Edmondson's addressing of the story of Travis drawing a line in the sand is quite interesting, overladen with common sense. (I'm a common sense guy, don't see enough of it) Pages 370-72, 410-12. I await your comments. Also, Hansen's Reader is on order. Thanks for that recommendation.
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