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Richard Coke: Texan
Richard Coke played one of the most crucial roles in Texas history. His leadership of his beloved Texas still resonates today – 150 years after he became governor. Richard Texan weaves a rich mosaic of real people and events that immerses the reader in the life and times of Richard Coke.
Richard Coke brought Texas out of Reconstruction following the Civil War and is often credited for restoring democracy to the state after this perilous time. Richard Texan is his story – one in which a young Virginia lawyer emigrates to a Texas frontier village and changes history. It follows Coke as he starts a new life in Waco, Texas, serves in the Civil War, endures the hardships of Reconstruction, and is called into service as governor to rebuild the state and return rights to local government and the people of Texas. The story of Coke and his legislature taking office is one of the more spectacular in Texas history, with Coke’s predecessor, Edmund Davis, engaging armed forces to occupy the Capitol to remain in office. But the true story is the leadership shown by Coke as a committed citizen, an honored soldier, a dedicated governor, then as a respected senator—the results of which still impact the government of Texas today.
Before the advent of digital technology, much of the record of this time was inaccessible to researchers. Authored by Rosser Coke Newton, Sr., an indirect descendant of the governor, the book is enriched by first-person accounts, Coke family records, Richard Coke’s direct correspondence, as well as actual events documented by journals and debates from constitutional conventions, the Secession Convention, and legislative sessions. These are supplemented by newspaper articles, census records, city directories, and a myriad of other sources of information compiled at the time. These sources have been combined into Richard Texan which not only delivers a rich history of the era, but a personal look at one of Texas’ greatest leaders.
Richard Coke brought Texas out of Reconstruction following the Civil War and is often credited for restoring democracy to the state after this perilous time. Richard Texan is his story – one in which a young Virginia lawyer emigrates to a Texas frontier village and changes history. It follows Coke as he starts a new life in Waco, Texas, serves in the Civil War, endures the hardships of Reconstruction, and is called into service as governor to rebuild the state and return rights to local government and the people of Texas. The story of Coke and his legislature taking office is one of the more spectacular in Texas history, with Coke’s predecessor, Edmund Davis, engaging armed forces to occupy the Capitol to remain in office. But the true story is the leadership shown by Coke as a committed citizen, an honored soldier, a dedicated governor, then as a respected senator—the results of which still impact the government of Texas today.
Before the advent of digital technology, much of the record of this time was inaccessible to researchers. Authored by Rosser Coke Newton, Sr., an indirect descendant of the governor, the book is enriched by first-person accounts, Coke family records, Richard Coke’s direct correspondence, as well as actual events documented by journals and debates from constitutional conventions, the Secession Convention, and legislative sessions. These are supplemented by newspaper articles, census records, city directories, and a myriad of other sources of information compiled at the time. These sources have been combined into Richard Texan which not only delivers a rich history of the era, but a personal look at one of Texas’ greatest leaders.
242 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2024
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 19, 2024
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to embrace the idea that life is more about “both/and” rather than “either/or.” Duality is often the way of things; rarely are they truly dichotomous.
Reading Richard Coke: Texan was another lesson in this paradigm. As Texas’s 15th governor and later senator, Coke was a critical figure in our state’s past.
Yes, he was well-respected during his lifetime. Yes, he is credited by some with “restoring democracy to [Texas]” after the Civil War. Yes, he spent his three terms as a senator “working diligently for Texas and for Texans.”
And.
Yes, he was a slave owner. Yes, he was a delegate to the Texas Secession Convention and later—before he was appointed governor—expressed that “his only regret was that he and his [Secessionist] comrades had not prevailed.”
Given the knee-jerk, extreme reactions in today’s social climate—defend or dismantle, celebrate or censure—it would have been easy to simply avoid this book. However, my commitment is to stand resolutely in the “both/and” space. This was a moment where the rubber met the road for me—an opportunity to live out what I believe.
As a history enthusiast (it was one of my college majors), I’ve long felt that there must be a middle ground in dealing with our country’s sordid past. My questions have been, How can we study people of the past with equanimity? How can we find ways to share the stories of those who have been largely ignored or excluded? What knowledge and wisdom can we glean from people who fell on the wrong side of history?
I approached Richard Coke: Texan with those questions in mind. What I found was a factually written, well-researched account of Texas history. The author spent a large portion of the book describing the world of Richard Coke, including the years leading up to Texas secession, the major political players of his era, and the postwar years when he served in government.
Several facts about Texas’s history with border issues, our quest to join the Union, and Texans who supported the Union during the Civil War were new to me—things I enjoyed learning.
The author walked a fine line in his descriptions of Richard Coke: “He was motivated by the intent to ‘do good’ in his life, and he did so for Texas for four decades” and “In many ways, Richard Coke’s life and work in Texas define the essence of being Texan.” While I’m not sure I agree with these assertions, I do acknowledge that writing without bias must be difficult when the subject matter is an indirect ancestor.
For the level of research demonstrated, the historical insights gained, and the attempt to portray a flawed historical figure with a “both/and” mindset, I’m giving Richard Coke: Texan 3.5 stars.
Reading Richard Coke: Texan was another lesson in this paradigm. As Texas’s 15th governor and later senator, Coke was a critical figure in our state’s past.
Yes, he was well-respected during his lifetime. Yes, he is credited by some with “restoring democracy to [Texas]” after the Civil War. Yes, he spent his three terms as a senator “working diligently for Texas and for Texans.”
And.
Yes, he was a slave owner. Yes, he was a delegate to the Texas Secession Convention and later—before he was appointed governor—expressed that “his only regret was that he and his [Secessionist] comrades had not prevailed.”
Given the knee-jerk, extreme reactions in today’s social climate—defend or dismantle, celebrate or censure—it would have been easy to simply avoid this book. However, my commitment is to stand resolutely in the “both/and” space. This was a moment where the rubber met the road for me—an opportunity to live out what I believe.
As a history enthusiast (it was one of my college majors), I’ve long felt that there must be a middle ground in dealing with our country’s sordid past. My questions have been, How can we study people of the past with equanimity? How can we find ways to share the stories of those who have been largely ignored or excluded? What knowledge and wisdom can we glean from people who fell on the wrong side of history?
I approached Richard Coke: Texan with those questions in mind. What I found was a factually written, well-researched account of Texas history. The author spent a large portion of the book describing the world of Richard Coke, including the years leading up to Texas secession, the major political players of his era, and the postwar years when he served in government.
Several facts about Texas’s history with border issues, our quest to join the Union, and Texans who supported the Union during the Civil War were new to me—things I enjoyed learning.
The author walked a fine line in his descriptions of Richard Coke: “He was motivated by the intent to ‘do good’ in his life, and he did so for Texas for four decades” and “In many ways, Richard Coke’s life and work in Texas define the essence of being Texan.” While I’m not sure I agree with these assertions, I do acknowledge that writing without bias must be difficult when the subject matter is an indirect ancestor.
For the level of research demonstrated, the historical insights gained, and the attempt to portray a flawed historical figure with a “both/and” mindset, I’m giving Richard Coke: Texan 3.5 stars.
November 10, 2024
If you’re at all interested in Texas history, this is a book that you will enjoy reading, but it does get a little heavy in places. Also, be aware that since this is a detailed historical account of the times before, during, and after the Civil War, there is mention of slavery and lynching, as well as details about fighting during the various wars that affected Texas through the years. But that is all part of the reality of the time period, and even though Richard Coke was a confederate and a slave owner, he played a significant role in the shaping of the state in those early years.
And I do think it is important for an author to lay the historical facts out there instead of trying to hide them or sugarcoat them. Kudos to Newton for telling the truth, even when it wasn’t pleasant truth to read.
Also, keep in mind that the pleasant truths outweighed those unpleasant ones.
There are a number of interesting little details of history that I didn’t know, such as when Robert E. Lee was in Texas on his way back to Washington, DC during the time when Texas was in the process seceding from the Union shortly before the Civil War. Somebody warned him that he could be in danger, so he changed into civilian clothes and then made his way to Virginia where he ended up in the Confederate army.
Those kinds of little-known details were quite interesting, but relaying the exact numbers of armaments taken during a conflict seemed overdone and didn’t seem necessary to the overall story. Picking up the book, I thought it was going to focus primarily on the life of Coke and his influence, but the narrative veered away from his story for rather long stretches. Since I know a Coke family in East Texas that has deep roots in the state, and in state law enforcement, I was eager to find out if there might be a connection to the lineage from Richard Coke, but I couldn’t find anything.
Once the narrative focused on Richard Coke after the war when he got involved in politics, I found the book a much more enjoyable read. As Governor he appeared to truly want to help the people of the state, and the nation, and hints of that altruism were sprinkled in his early years as an attorney who often championed an underdog. So it wasn’t a surprise to find that he was a good man in that respect, and certainly one to be admired.
I recommend this book to students of history, as well as folks who’d like to know more about an important man in Texas’s past, whose vision helped shape the state’s future.
NOTE: I received an ARC of the book from Lone Star Literary to read and review.
And I do think it is important for an author to lay the historical facts out there instead of trying to hide them or sugarcoat them. Kudos to Newton for telling the truth, even when it wasn’t pleasant truth to read.
Also, keep in mind that the pleasant truths outweighed those unpleasant ones.
There are a number of interesting little details of history that I didn’t know, such as when Robert E. Lee was in Texas on his way back to Washington, DC during the time when Texas was in the process seceding from the Union shortly before the Civil War. Somebody warned him that he could be in danger, so he changed into civilian clothes and then made his way to Virginia where he ended up in the Confederate army.
Those kinds of little-known details were quite interesting, but relaying the exact numbers of armaments taken during a conflict seemed overdone and didn’t seem necessary to the overall story. Picking up the book, I thought it was going to focus primarily on the life of Coke and his influence, but the narrative veered away from his story for rather long stretches. Since I know a Coke family in East Texas that has deep roots in the state, and in state law enforcement, I was eager to find out if there might be a connection to the lineage from Richard Coke, but I couldn’t find anything.
Once the narrative focused on Richard Coke after the war when he got involved in politics, I found the book a much more enjoyable read. As Governor he appeared to truly want to help the people of the state, and the nation, and hints of that altruism were sprinkled in his early years as an attorney who often championed an underdog. So it wasn’t a surprise to find that he was a good man in that respect, and certainly one to be admired.
I recommend this book to students of history, as well as folks who’d like to know more about an important man in Texas’s past, whose vision helped shape the state’s future.
NOTE: I received an ARC of the book from Lone Star Literary to read and review.
November 14, 2024
The inscription on Richard Coke's monument, which follows, provided a compelling reason to learn more about this man.
Characterized by a Splendid Manhood.
The Brave Soldier
The Able and Impartial Judge
The Enlightened and Patriotic Governor.
The Distinguished Senator in Congress of Eighteen Years.
Always true to the People and Faithful to Every Trust.
Richard Coke: Texan by Rosser Coke Newton, Sr. is a compelling biographical account of the 15th governor of Texas. This book is an engaging exploration of a tumultuous period, expertly navigating the complex landscapes of Reconstruction and the eventual rise of Democratic leadership in the state.
Newton’s storytelling shines as he sets the stage for Richard Coke’s entrance into Texas history, detailing the division that led to secession and civil war. Despite Coke’s Confederate background, he emerged as a reputable lawyer and, eventually, a pivotal figure in Texas politics, facing numerous challenges during his life.
The depth of the research exhibits the author’s attention to detail regarding Richard Coke and those he interacted with in Texas. Meaningful source quotations are added to highlight how Richard Coke made lasting connections with influential men after he arrived in Texas. These citations enrich the reading experience and paint a vivid historical context.
The biography is anything but dull. Newton’s ability to weave together historical events during Richard Coke’s life creates an enlightening and relevant narrative. Many cotton producers during this period in Texas owned slaves, including Richard Coke. He was part of the movement for Texas secession, which shaped today’s Texas. Mr. Coke's life and times offer alignment to contemporary political struggles. It’s a reminder that while history is fraught with contentious moments, determined individuals strive to effect positive change amidst the chaos.
Richard Coke: Texan is a must-read for fans of Texas history or American political legacy. Those finding historical studies tedious will enjoy the refreshing perspective of how the past shapes our present.
Characterized by a Splendid Manhood.
The Brave Soldier
The Able and Impartial Judge
The Enlightened and Patriotic Governor.
The Distinguished Senator in Congress of Eighteen Years.
Always true to the People and Faithful to Every Trust.
Richard Coke: Texan by Rosser Coke Newton, Sr. is a compelling biographical account of the 15th governor of Texas. This book is an engaging exploration of a tumultuous period, expertly navigating the complex landscapes of Reconstruction and the eventual rise of Democratic leadership in the state.
Newton’s storytelling shines as he sets the stage for Richard Coke’s entrance into Texas history, detailing the division that led to secession and civil war. Despite Coke’s Confederate background, he emerged as a reputable lawyer and, eventually, a pivotal figure in Texas politics, facing numerous challenges during his life.
The depth of the research exhibits the author’s attention to detail regarding Richard Coke and those he interacted with in Texas. Meaningful source quotations are added to highlight how Richard Coke made lasting connections with influential men after he arrived in Texas. These citations enrich the reading experience and paint a vivid historical context.
The biography is anything but dull. Newton’s ability to weave together historical events during Richard Coke’s life creates an enlightening and relevant narrative. Many cotton producers during this period in Texas owned slaves, including Richard Coke. He was part of the movement for Texas secession, which shaped today’s Texas. Mr. Coke's life and times offer alignment to contemporary political struggles. It’s a reminder that while history is fraught with contentious moments, determined individuals strive to effect positive change amidst the chaos.
Richard Coke: Texan is a must-read for fans of Texas history or American political legacy. Those finding historical studies tedious will enjoy the refreshing perspective of how the past shapes our present.
November 14, 2024
History buffs with a love for all things Texan and/or Civil War era, will find much to love in Rosser Coke Newton, Sr.’s biography Richard Coke: Texan.
As someone who sat through her fair share of Texas history courses over the years, I was astonished at the sheer volume of information I Iearned while reading. Meticulously researched, the book focuses on the life of Richard Coke, who shepherded Texas back into the union after the Civil War and the disastrous consequences of early reconstruction efforts had brought the state to the brink of financial and political disaster.
First as governor, and then for nearly twenty years as a U.S. senator, Coke employed his deep understanding of the law toward reuniting the disparate political ideologies of the time with a focus on creating a state looking to the future rather than stewing in the past. Newton shows us the thorny and multifaceted issues unique to Texas during this time period.
The author does reference the difficulties inherent in “looking at this period through the lens of today’s sensibilities.” I appreciate that difficulty most definitely. Writing about our national sins regarding enslaved people can never, and should never, be done without deep and careful consideration. I do wonder, however, if a direct disavowal of such activities should have been expressed more directly in the book, rather than just in the acknowledgements section at the end. As someone who admittedly reads far more historical fiction than she does pure historical accounts, that is perhaps my own lack of experience with the genre.
What any reader will definitely take away from this account is a wonder that Richard Coke and his contemporaries were able to bring Texas back from its dance with enmity and ruin. It was a very near thing.
Content Advisory: This is a historical account. The following topics are referenced: slavery, lynching, and war.
As someone who sat through her fair share of Texas history courses over the years, I was astonished at the sheer volume of information I Iearned while reading. Meticulously researched, the book focuses on the life of Richard Coke, who shepherded Texas back into the union after the Civil War and the disastrous consequences of early reconstruction efforts had brought the state to the brink of financial and political disaster.
First as governor, and then for nearly twenty years as a U.S. senator, Coke employed his deep understanding of the law toward reuniting the disparate political ideologies of the time with a focus on creating a state looking to the future rather than stewing in the past. Newton shows us the thorny and multifaceted issues unique to Texas during this time period.
The author does reference the difficulties inherent in “looking at this period through the lens of today’s sensibilities.” I appreciate that difficulty most definitely. Writing about our national sins regarding enslaved people can never, and should never, be done without deep and careful consideration. I do wonder, however, if a direct disavowal of such activities should have been expressed more directly in the book, rather than just in the acknowledgements section at the end. As someone who admittedly reads far more historical fiction than she does pure historical accounts, that is perhaps my own lack of experience with the genre.
What any reader will definitely take away from this account is a wonder that Richard Coke and his contemporaries were able to bring Texas back from its dance with enmity and ruin. It was a very near thing.
Content Advisory: This is a historical account. The following topics are referenced: slavery, lynching, and war.
November 28, 2024
As a figure of history, there is a lot about Richard Coke to dislike, particularly in terms of government and political shifts. That being said, knowing history is very important, and knowing the errors of the past allows for more informed decisions to be made in the future. I appreciate that this book did not shy away from presenting the horrific actions taken and enabled by Coke. He was a Confederate and a slave owner, and his election was a core part of centralizing power to white supremacy in Texas. This is all factual and I appreciate the honesty of presenting that information alongside Coke's professional career.
Providing an all-around window to the past where people are involved really lets the reader see the influence Coke had at the time. It shows how he got his foot into positions of power and held onto them. Knowing how people are influenced increases critical analysis of people and actions, allowing us to reflect on cause and effect very well. I appreciate how effectively this biography tackles the subject matter. It was very informative and enlightening into an era of Texas' past that I'm less familiar with compared to others.
All in all, if you want a fair look into Texas history, to further understand the development of the state, I definitely recommend this book. It's highly informative, well-presented, and excels as an educational work that combines many resources into one coherent narrative for a full portrait of a former Texas governor.
Providing an all-around window to the past where people are involved really lets the reader see the influence Coke had at the time. It shows how he got his foot into positions of power and held onto them. Knowing how people are influenced increases critical analysis of people and actions, allowing us to reflect on cause and effect very well. I appreciate how effectively this biography tackles the subject matter. It was very informative and enlightening into an era of Texas' past that I'm less familiar with compared to others.
All in all, if you want a fair look into Texas history, to further understand the development of the state, I definitely recommend this book. It's highly informative, well-presented, and excels as an educational work that combines many resources into one coherent narrative for a full portrait of a former Texas governor.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews