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U.S. Landmark Books #79
Remember the Alamo!
Remembering the Alamo is a tale of extraordinary courage and riveting adventure. For thirteen days, 189 men lead by Davy Crockett, Colonel William Travis and hopelessly outnumbered, held off the Mexican army lead by General Santa Anna at the Mission San Antonio de Valero-the Alamo. Their valiant sacrifice for the cause of Texas liberty became the rallying cry, "Remember the Alamo!"
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1958
9 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Robert Penn Warren
342 books1,003 followersRobert Penn Warren was an American poet, novelist, and literary critic and was one of the founders of New Criticism. He was also a charter member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. He founded the literary journal The Southern Review with Cleanth Brooks in 1935. He received the 1947 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel for All the King's Men (1946) and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1958 and 1979. He is the only person to have won Pulitzer Prizes for both fiction and poetry.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 24, 2022
We loved this book. They were all heroes yet none were heroes. This was a perfect read to go along with our Texas history studies. Teens and tweens loved it most.
October 20, 2023
Another of the "Great Battles" editions in the Landmark series, this volume describes both the major figures and events of an at-least formerly well-known battle, at the Alamo Mission in what is now San Antonio, Texas. The story of Texas is at least as worthy as the story of Oklahoma, and would be a welcome addition to the series, having formerly, albeit briefly, been its own Republic.
The Alamo, technically Misión San Antonio de Valero, was one of the numerous Spanish missions found throughout the American southwest, most of which had been established in the eighteenth century by Catholic clergy with the intent of converting the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area to Christianity. The Alamo probably acquired its more widely-known name from a military unit in the early 19th century, whose residents named it the Alamo for the poplar trees found in the area. It was to become the site of one of the most famous massacres in US history, which is all the more remarkable when considering that once the battle began, it was over in about 90 minutes.
In short, in a dispute over territory, several "Texians," many of whom were illegal immigrants from the US, in a somewhat ironic turn of events - Mexico had outlawed any immigration of Americans into Mexican territory - had driven out all Mexican troops in Mexican Texas. About a hundred Texians remained garrisoned at the Alamo, a force which was supplemented by a few reinforcements, including eventual co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On Feb. 23, 1836, about 1,500 Mexican troops marched into the town of San Antonio de Bexar, and attacked the Alamo itself after a thirteen day siege. Several months later, the retreating Mexican army demolished much of the Alamo walls and burned many of its buildings.
After supplementing the fighting force with several thousand additional troops, on Mar. 6, President General Antonio López de Santa Anna attacked the Alamo mission itself. His soldiers eventually overran the lightly defended mission, scaling the walls and killing every man inside. Santa Anna famously flew a red flag upon his arrival, signaling his intent to give no quarter to those inside. These included some of the most famous men in the country at the time, including Davy Crockett, general adventurer, sometimes-politician and folk hero; James Bowie (pronounced BOO-wee), most well known for his famous knife (but a soldier in his own right, and, ironically, the husband of Santa Anna's goddaughter, Ursula Veramendi who, along with her two children, tragically died during a cholera epidemic); and William B. Travis, an American lawyer and colonel in the Texian army.
This is as close as it gets to a modern-day Pyrrhic victory. In fact, when Santa Anna reportedly told one of his captains that the battle had been just a "small affair," another officer reportedly replied that "with another such victory, we'll go to the devil." How many Mexican troops were actually killed is a matter of great speculation. Santa Anna claimed that 600 Texians had been killed, with only 70 Mexican soldiers killed, but the figures should at least be reversed. As there were only about 150 or so Texian men defending the Alamo, his estimates are clearly wildly exaggerated. Mexican casualties probably numbered around 500-1,000 ... in 90 minutes. The Texian bodies were stacked and burned, so it will never be known how many there actually were.
This is a good overview, a mix of biography and history, but, as usual, there are some problematic terms and language (i.e., filthy, stupid Indians, etc.). It did a decent job of describing the events without being excessively salacious, as some of the other editions have been, but the end left much to be desired, as it just... stopped, with few closing remarks. A decent read and introduction to this event and the history of Texas's addition to the United States. Today, The Alamo is a World Heritage site and a museum. I fear, however, that some may now be more familiar with the Alamo for the... embarrassing event involving Ozzy Osbourne in the 1980s. I'll let the reader look that one up... if you dare (!).
The Alamo, technically Misión San Antonio de Valero, was one of the numerous Spanish missions found throughout the American southwest, most of which had been established in the eighteenth century by Catholic clergy with the intent of converting the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area to Christianity. The Alamo probably acquired its more widely-known name from a military unit in the early 19th century, whose residents named it the Alamo for the poplar trees found in the area. It was to become the site of one of the most famous massacres in US history, which is all the more remarkable when considering that once the battle began, it was over in about 90 minutes.
In short, in a dispute over territory, several "Texians," many of whom were illegal immigrants from the US, in a somewhat ironic turn of events - Mexico had outlawed any immigration of Americans into Mexican territory - had driven out all Mexican troops in Mexican Texas. About a hundred Texians remained garrisoned at the Alamo, a force which was supplemented by a few reinforcements, including eventual co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On Feb. 23, 1836, about 1,500 Mexican troops marched into the town of San Antonio de Bexar, and attacked the Alamo itself after a thirteen day siege. Several months later, the retreating Mexican army demolished much of the Alamo walls and burned many of its buildings.
After supplementing the fighting force with several thousand additional troops, on Mar. 6, President General Antonio López de Santa Anna attacked the Alamo mission itself. His soldiers eventually overran the lightly defended mission, scaling the walls and killing every man inside. Santa Anna famously flew a red flag upon his arrival, signaling his intent to give no quarter to those inside. These included some of the most famous men in the country at the time, including Davy Crockett, general adventurer, sometimes-politician and folk hero; James Bowie (pronounced BOO-wee), most well known for his famous knife (but a soldier in his own right, and, ironically, the husband of Santa Anna's goddaughter, Ursula Veramendi who, along with her two children, tragically died during a cholera epidemic); and William B. Travis, an American lawyer and colonel in the Texian army.
This is as close as it gets to a modern-day Pyrrhic victory. In fact, when Santa Anna reportedly told one of his captains that the battle had been just a "small affair," another officer reportedly replied that "with another such victory, we'll go to the devil." How many Mexican troops were actually killed is a matter of great speculation. Santa Anna claimed that 600 Texians had been killed, with only 70 Mexican soldiers killed, but the figures should at least be reversed. As there were only about 150 or so Texian men defending the Alamo, his estimates are clearly wildly exaggerated. Mexican casualties probably numbered around 500-1,000 ... in 90 minutes. The Texian bodies were stacked and burned, so it will never be known how many there actually were.
This is a good overview, a mix of biography and history, but, as usual, there are some problematic terms and language (i.e., filthy, stupid Indians, etc.). It did a decent job of describing the events without being excessively salacious, as some of the other editions have been, but the end left much to be desired, as it just... stopped, with few closing remarks. A decent read and introduction to this event and the history of Texas's addition to the United States. Today, The Alamo is a World Heritage site and a museum. I fear, however, that some may now be more familiar with the Alamo for the... embarrassing event involving Ozzy Osbourne in the 1980s. I'll let the reader look that one up... if you dare (!).
April 13, 2019
This was one of the best Landmark historical books, both because it was memorable (I remember reading this as a kid.) and because it’s full of interesting facts/lore. I’m not sure how much I can say is fact, but even if much of this isn’t “true” I like the idea of the American tall-tale.
Also, Robert Penn Warren is a pretty great author in his own right. I’m interested in reading some of his own work that put him on the map in the first place.
Some things I learned:
1) Galveston was a big pirate town (22).
2) Travis left his wife for Texas (40).
3) Bowie married the goddaughter of Santa Anna and when Bowie was killed Santa Anna had his body tossed on bayonets to insult him (155).
4) The volunteers were too lazy to prepare defenses, like creating shooting slots, so they had to stand up exposing their heads and torsos when they shot (103).
5) Crockett liked to fiddle during the battles (134).
6) Crockett has four dogs named Holdfast, Growler, Deathmaul, and Grim (95).
7) The flag waiving from the Alamo was the Mexican Tri-Color with the year of the Mexican Constitution (1824) on it instead of the eagle because they were fighting an imperialist, not the country itself. They were trying to be Mexican citizens (117).
8) The fighters were so inexperienced that they didn’t understand when Santa Anna was trying to have a cease fire to talk terms of peace really illustrating the type of volunteers that held up against a real military power (80).
Even more, the descriptions are wonderful. Contradicting the Sam Houston Landmark book, Warren writes “But when he got back home, his bride was gone. She had fled back to her father’s house in the next country. We do not know what lay behind this. No word ever came from the Allen family, and no word from Houston. But there must have been something more than a mere quarrel, some dark and shattering trouble between them” (54). It also quotes his defense after his “fits of aimless violence” (55), which is a spectacular down-and-out kind of speech. Austin says, “Though it may be alleged that I am a man of broken fortune and blasted reputation, I never can forget that reputation, however limited, is the high boon of heaven. Perhaps the circumstances of adversity, by which I have been crushed, have made me cling to the little remains of it I possess, and to cherish them with greater fondness” (58). He’s much more flawed than in the biography, but in a more likable way, I think.
Perhaps my favorite part is the chapter introducing Bowie. Keep in mind, these books are for youth. Warren, however, believes it necessary to give a full lesson on the proper way to engage in a knife fight. He writes, “How did a man use a Bowie knife? In a rough-and-tumble ‘medley’ he did the best he could-chop, plunge, or slash. But the real knife fighter, up against another knife fighter, aimed for the body. He held the knife sideways, the thumb along the blade below the cross guard to brace his blow. He set his left foot well forward and held his head back. Now he was set for a slash to either side or for the up-slash, the stroke to the belly” (64).
This is just terrific writing and a fairly well-balanced story. They’re all heroes and none are heroes. It’s a well-balanced historical account in a way that I don’t really see much of anymore, especially for tweens.
Also, Robert Penn Warren is a pretty great author in his own right. I’m interested in reading some of his own work that put him on the map in the first place.
Some things I learned:
1) Galveston was a big pirate town (22).
2) Travis left his wife for Texas (40).
3) Bowie married the goddaughter of Santa Anna and when Bowie was killed Santa Anna had his body tossed on bayonets to insult him (155).
4) The volunteers were too lazy to prepare defenses, like creating shooting slots, so they had to stand up exposing their heads and torsos when they shot (103).
5) Crockett liked to fiddle during the battles (134).
6) Crockett has four dogs named Holdfast, Growler, Deathmaul, and Grim (95).
7) The flag waiving from the Alamo was the Mexican Tri-Color with the year of the Mexican Constitution (1824) on it instead of the eagle because they were fighting an imperialist, not the country itself. They were trying to be Mexican citizens (117).
8) The fighters were so inexperienced that they didn’t understand when Santa Anna was trying to have a cease fire to talk terms of peace really illustrating the type of volunteers that held up against a real military power (80).
Even more, the descriptions are wonderful. Contradicting the Sam Houston Landmark book, Warren writes “But when he got back home, his bride was gone. She had fled back to her father’s house in the next country. We do not know what lay behind this. No word ever came from the Allen family, and no word from Houston. But there must have been something more than a mere quarrel, some dark and shattering trouble between them” (54). It also quotes his defense after his “fits of aimless violence” (55), which is a spectacular down-and-out kind of speech. Austin says, “Though it may be alleged that I am a man of broken fortune and blasted reputation, I never can forget that reputation, however limited, is the high boon of heaven. Perhaps the circumstances of adversity, by which I have been crushed, have made me cling to the little remains of it I possess, and to cherish them with greater fondness” (58). He’s much more flawed than in the biography, but in a more likable way, I think.
Perhaps my favorite part is the chapter introducing Bowie. Keep in mind, these books are for youth. Warren, however, believes it necessary to give a full lesson on the proper way to engage in a knife fight. He writes, “How did a man use a Bowie knife? In a rough-and-tumble ‘medley’ he did the best he could-chop, plunge, or slash. But the real knife fighter, up against another knife fighter, aimed for the body. He held the knife sideways, the thumb along the blade below the cross guard to brace his blow. He set his left foot well forward and held his head back. Now he was set for a slash to either side or for the up-slash, the stroke to the belly” (64).
This is just terrific writing and a fairly well-balanced story. They’re all heroes and none are heroes. It’s a well-balanced historical account in a way that I don’t really see much of anymore, especially for tweens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
In short, this book is to the Alamo legend what the 1960 John Wayne movie is to the legend.
That it tells the legend does not make it inaccurate, however. Also, for the most part, treatment of Mexicans, Texans, and Americans is fairly even-handed, and not overwhelmingly stereotypical, with a few exceptions (e.g.--referring to some Mexicans or people of Mexican descent as "half-breeds," or "mixed blood")
It is very well-written and aimed for a young adult audience. The story itself, of course, is one of the most dramatic and pivotal for Texas and America.
However, I would recommend, given that this is more about the legend, that anyone reading this should take the style and occasional jingoistic language with a grain of salt and recognize this work as a product of an accomplished, creative mind, yes--but also as a product of its era.
That it tells the legend does not make it inaccurate, however. Also, for the most part, treatment of Mexicans, Texans, and Americans is fairly even-handed, and not overwhelmingly stereotypical, with a few exceptions (e.g.--referring to some Mexicans or people of Mexican descent as "half-breeds," or "mixed blood")
It is very well-written and aimed for a young adult audience. The story itself, of course, is one of the most dramatic and pivotal for Texas and America.
However, I would recommend, given that this is more about the legend, that anyone reading this should take the style and occasional jingoistic language with a grain of salt and recognize this work as a product of an accomplished, creative mind, yes--but also as a product of its era.
September 11, 2021
The Landmark History series really did recruit some top-notch authors. Unfortunately, they wrote stuff like this:
"... those tribes that did let themselves be converted were a worthless lot. At the presidio of San Antonio, at Bexar, where the Alamo stood, a number of Indians did settle, but even the missionaries agreed that they were stupid and filthy."
The coverage of the actual battle at the Alamo is much better.
"... those tribes that did let themselves be converted were a worthless lot. At the presidio of San Antonio, at Bexar, where the Alamo stood, a number of Indians did settle, but even the missionaries agreed that they were stupid and filthy."
The coverage of the actual battle at the Alamo is much better.
August 7, 2022
I read this book to my kids. I think it's one of the better ones of the Landmark series that I've read. I think it was written at a good level for young people. While it would be politically incorrect if written today, to me it seemed like the author did a pretty fair job in laying out the history without glorifying any one group.
February 14, 2025
A small book with a lot of info. A clean, crisp telling of the key defenders, how they arrived there, and what happened in those 13 days.
April 14, 2018
I read a bunch of the Landmark series books as a kid. Our school library had a huge collection of them, so I just made my way down the shelves. I remember enjoying them, but I was too young at the time to question the narrative or the quality of writing. I just liked reading biographies and histories, and there wasn't a lot of interesting non-fiction for kids at that time. Most of what did exist was either boring or more myth than fact. (And these do suffer from a bit of the latter.)
Would I read it to kids today? Nah. The whole "Great White Race has God-given right to take, kill, abuse, and exploit whatever and whoever in the name of making America Great" slant doesn't sit well. It never did; we just were too indoctrinated in it to know better 50+ years ago when these came out. I'm rating them on the memory of enjoyment alone, not on accuracy or how they would go over today. Fortunately, kids today have a lot better from which to choose.
Would I read it to kids today? Nah. The whole "Great White Race has God-given right to take, kill, abuse, and exploit whatever and whoever in the name of making America Great" slant doesn't sit well. It never did; we just were too indoctrinated in it to know better 50+ years ago when these came out. I'm rating them on the memory of enjoyment alone, not on accuracy or how they would go over today. Fortunately, kids today have a lot better from which to choose.
July 28, 2012
One of the best books that I ever read as a child. There is information in this book that you will never read anywhere else.
June 17, 2018
This was the first book I ever owned and I still have it sans the cover.
It led me to read every single Landmark book and every single world landmark book in the series.
It led me to read every single Landmark book and every single world landmark book in the series.
October 1, 2015
Grant's men and most of the horses frozen to death.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews