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Texas Rising: The Epic True Story of the Lone Star Republic and the Rise of the Texas Rangers, 1836-1846
The official nonfiction companion to the History Channel dramatic series Texas Rising (produced by the same team that made the record-breaking Hatfields & McCoys): a thrilling new narrative history of the Texas Revolution and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers who patrolled the violent western frontier.
In 1836, if west of the Mississippi was considered the Wild West then Texas was hell on earth--a hot bed of conflict. Who would win the war over Texas? Crushed from the outside by Mexican armadas and attacked from within by ferocious Comanche tribes, no one was safe. But this was a time of bravery, a time to die for what you believed in and a time to stand tall against the cruel rule of the Mexican General Santa Anna and his forces. The Texas Rangers, a ragtag crew of men fighting on horseback, were often outnumbered by as many as fifty-to-one. Yet under renowned General Sam Houston they achieved victory against nearly impossible odds, earning a legendary place in American history.
Acclaimed Texas historian Stephen L. Moore's Texas Rising, the official companion to the epic History series of the same name, brings to life the violent Texas frontier and the Rangers' heroic deeds during the Texas Revolution. Published with the full support and backing of History, Texas Rising is an unforgettable history of this iconic band of fighters.
In 1836, if west of the Mississippi was considered the Wild West then Texas was hell on earth--a hot bed of conflict. Who would win the war over Texas? Crushed from the outside by Mexican armadas and attacked from within by ferocious Comanche tribes, no one was safe. But this was a time of bravery, a time to die for what you believed in and a time to stand tall against the cruel rule of the Mexican General Santa Anna and his forces. The Texas Rangers, a ragtag crew of men fighting on horseback, were often outnumbered by as many as fifty-to-one. Yet under renowned General Sam Houston they achieved victory against nearly impossible odds, earning a legendary place in American history.
Acclaimed Texas historian Stephen L. Moore's Texas Rising, the official companion to the epic History series of the same name, brings to life the violent Texas frontier and the Rangers' heroic deeds during the Texas Revolution. Published with the full support and backing of History, Texas Rising is an unforgettable history of this iconic band of fighters.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 28, 2019
Stopped reading early on. The book felt very much like a recitation of facts. I must have been introduced to no fewer than 30-40 names halfway through the very first chapter. It's possible the book would have gotten more into an actual telling of the "true story" claimed by its title, but I wasn't going to hang around to find out.
December 14, 2015
I listened to the audio edition of this book. It is a detailed history of the Creation of the Texas Republic and its decade as an independent country. It was an exciting time! I
question whether the narrator's pronunciation of place names is authentic-- that is, were they anglicized then, or later? (Example: he pronounced Bexar as "bayHAR" but nowadays it's more "bayer"; he said "SalAHdo" cf. today's "SaLAYdo.")
question whether the narrator's pronunciation of place names is authentic-- that is, were they anglicized then, or later? (Example: he pronounced Bexar as "bayHAR" but nowadays it's more "bayer"; he said "SalAHdo" cf. today's "SaLAYdo.")
March 27, 2023
Listened on audiobook over the weekend.
I like this book. A lot of information on the Texans fighting off the Indians at the same time as working toward independence from Mexico. I’ve heard of the two issues, not ever understanding the overlap. Also interesting the origination of the Texas Rangers and purpose.
A lot of current day angst and criticism of venerating the Rangers of old about their rough and/or criminal tactics. But I’m not sure anyone can judge that was not there and living in the times. This book relates many of the Rangers’ families were killed/massacred by Indians, lots of settlers getting attacked, so their “fight fire with fire” methods seem to be the only effective response as negotiations never held.
Lots of familiar names, Deaf Smith, Houston, Fannin, Bowie, Lamar, Austin, Seguin…
I did hear a few stories in the book that I thought I’d heard had been debunked and/or slightly different than heard in the past. So will have to look into those again. The details around The Goliad Massacre were different and way more detailed than I had heard in the past, but also great.
Overall a good book for anyone interested in Texas History.
I like this book. A lot of information on the Texans fighting off the Indians at the same time as working toward independence from Mexico. I’ve heard of the two issues, not ever understanding the overlap. Also interesting the origination of the Texas Rangers and purpose.
A lot of current day angst and criticism of venerating the Rangers of old about their rough and/or criminal tactics. But I’m not sure anyone can judge that was not there and living in the times. This book relates many of the Rangers’ families were killed/massacred by Indians, lots of settlers getting attacked, so their “fight fire with fire” methods seem to be the only effective response as negotiations never held.
Lots of familiar names, Deaf Smith, Houston, Fannin, Bowie, Lamar, Austin, Seguin…
I did hear a few stories in the book that I thought I’d heard had been debunked and/or slightly different than heard in the past. So will have to look into those again. The details around The Goliad Massacre were different and way more detailed than I had heard in the past, but also great.
Overall a good book for anyone interested in Texas History.
June 17, 2017
While the title indicates that this book primarilly covers the Republic of Texas, in actual fact it only covers the Texas Rangers and other Texas military organizations. It contains only passing references to its politics, diplomatic relations with the United States and Mexico, etc.
It covers the Rangers in excruciating detail, apparently giving the names of every soldier in every company, describing every battle in detail and every skirmish, every wound, and maybe even every shot fired. The descriptions of the major battles were interesting, but most of it came across as a data dump in text form.
It covers the Rangers in excruciating detail, apparently giving the names of every soldier in every company, describing every battle in detail and every skirmish, every wound, and maybe even every shot fired. The descriptions of the major battles were interesting, but most of it came across as a data dump in text form.
January 2, 2017
Good, not great.
In the end, as much as the Texas Revolution chapters are great, the remainder reads like a log book of action for the Texas Rangers. I don't know what more I wanted, but I was not moved deeply after a strong start.
In the end, as much as the Texas Revolution chapters are great, the remainder reads like a log book of action for the Texas Rangers. I don't know what more I wanted, but I was not moved deeply after a strong start.
September 7, 2016
This is a history of Texas that covers colonization, revolution and independence, and statehood up to the Mexican-American War. The formation and roles of the Texas Rangers are also included.
September 9, 2019
A very detailed account of the beginning of the state of Texas. The history takes us through the rise of rebellion against Mexico, through the Alamo, to actual statehood. As mentioned, very detailed. There are so many names, and ranger outfits, and army units, and commanders, and Indian tribes, and Indian chiefs, ad infinitum. Some names keep popping up, whether Texians (yup, that’s one of the spellings, not an error), or Mexicans, or Indians.
The two main groups of people opposing the Texan Republic/State are the Mexicans and the Indians (maybe 10-15 tribes). The Mexicans were not much of a factor after Santa Anna’s defeat, more of an annoyance. The Cherokees, the Comanches, and some of the tribes in southern areas were persistent and brutal. The Indians had to be forced, almost annihilated, before they would give up.
The sub-title of the book indicates it is about the ‘Texas Rangers’. That is nominally true, since the groups of volunteer men, assembled to ‘range’ about the Texas countryside, providing protection from Indians and Mexicans. The Rangers were not the elite police organization we think of today. These men were compensated by the provisional, then republic, and finally the state. In almost every case a leader would recruit men to serve with the leader. Usually was for short term sign-ups. I believe this was very similar to the militias were formed at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and the same for companies formed for the Civil War. Usually, these companies were integrated into the regular army.
The two main groups of people opposing the Texan Republic/State are the Mexicans and the Indians (maybe 10-15 tribes). The Mexicans were not much of a factor after Santa Anna’s defeat, more of an annoyance. The Cherokees, the Comanches, and some of the tribes in southern areas were persistent and brutal. The Indians had to be forced, almost annihilated, before they would give up.
The sub-title of the book indicates it is about the ‘Texas Rangers’. That is nominally true, since the groups of volunteer men, assembled to ‘range’ about the Texas countryside, providing protection from Indians and Mexicans. The Rangers were not the elite police organization we think of today. These men were compensated by the provisional, then republic, and finally the state. In almost every case a leader would recruit men to serve with the leader. Usually was for short term sign-ups. I believe this was very similar to the militias were formed at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and the same for companies formed for the Civil War. Usually, these companies were integrated into the regular army.
July 8, 2020
Honestly, I read this only to complete the final book for a "Broaden Your Shelf" challenge. I was hoping, based on the description, that it was written in an entertaining style more like a novel. Instead it was written more like a history book. It begins about the time of the Alamo battle and ends shortly after the arrival of the Colt revolver in Texas. I picked up a few interesting bits of trivia but a lot of was like listening to the biblical book of Numbers - lots of lists of names. Having grown up in San Antonio, I recognized a lot of names of the early Texans as names of streets and schools in the San Antonio area.
June 3, 2023
I gave up on this one.
Moore is a popular (rather than academic) historian, and wrote this as a tie-in with a History Channel series. Predictably, then, it’s a flag-waving, gung-ho account in which the Texians are invincible and Mexicans depicted in silhouette. As a work of history it’s utterly unsatisfying.
Worse: the prose is utterly wooden and dull. Moore, presumably, *can* write much better. This, though, reads like something a basically competent hack has cranked out to meet a deadline.
Moore is a popular (rather than academic) historian, and wrote this as a tie-in with a History Channel series. Predictably, then, it’s a flag-waving, gung-ho account in which the Texians are invincible and Mexicans depicted in silhouette. As a work of history it’s utterly unsatisfying.
Worse: the prose is utterly wooden and dull. Moore, presumably, *can* write much better. This, though, reads like something a basically competent hack has cranked out to meet a deadline.
March 1, 2016
95% more accurate than the terrible, fictional version on television. I should know as a Texan who grew up in Houston.
June 22, 2021
-3.4- This book finished strong in my opinion but the author spent page after page listing and naming inconsequential characters. On one page alone he lists 16 separate names! Newsflash this is not supposed to be a roll call of who participated in Texas independence! As a result of this name listing serious momentum in telling the story was lost. On several occasions throughout this book I had to find the will to push past the absurd roll call to find the story. I blame the editor as much as the author. If an amateur history reader, can say what the fuck is this guy babbling on about? Then where is the editor to turn the screws and tell him; "Yeah this is hot garbage, take it out." Unless the author was paid by the name listed, I truly see no point in why this element so dominated the book. Now finally to the actual story, the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad are key moments in Texas and American history. The author did a fine job of describing the Battle of San Jacinto and the defeat of General Santa Anna. One aspect that has always annoyed me is that vile turd Santa Anna should have been executed when he was captured. He ordered the murder of several hundred Texans and walked free. Ludicrous. Sam Houston shit the bed on this one. Also, the Texas Rangers vs. the Indians is well written in the last 50 pages. I wish the author could have stuck to a more linear narrative and avoided the roll calls and confusing miss mash that dominated aspects of this book.
March 31, 2020
Love Texas history. The story line was well written an had some stories I had not heard is such detail before. The life of each person is played out as they happened. Many great Rangers were killed in battles they fought in both Mexican and Indian wars to keep Texas free. They loved their country and fought in battles were they were out numbered 20-30 to one . A special breed of man who put his live on the line for others.
This is a story of pride ,low pay and politics from the start. Texas was its own country and the people who moved here wanted freedom an opportunity to own land. It never would have happened it it was not for the Texas Rangers.
Fun read and exciting facts and stories.
This is a story of pride ,low pay and politics from the start. Texas was its own country and the people who moved here wanted freedom an opportunity to own land. It never would have happened it it was not for the Texas Rangers.
Fun read and exciting facts and stories.
April 24, 2020
This was really, really interesting! A trip to the restored Fort Chadbourne, and the museum that is there pricked a desire in me to learn more about western, and Texas history, this is the fourth book that I have read in the genre -- and I really liking it. I have the seen the History Channel production from this book, but I knew that they would not follow it accurately; so the book helped fill in some gaps and answer some questions. The part that was the most interesting to me was the story of the struggles and formation of the Texas Rangers. After reading the book, there are two men that I want to learn more about: Deaf Smith and Jack Hays. I think most anyone interested in the history of Texas, or history in general would enjoy this book.
November 1, 2017
This is an easy to read history of Texas during the period when people like Sam Houston and Stephen Austin and William Travis were moving towards forming the Republic of Texas. It really tells the story of the Texas Rangers who were formed primarily to protect the settlers from the Native Americans and eventually the Mexican Army. Lots of fighting described especially by the Rangers and of course the Alamo and the battle of San Jacinto are covered. Many unique characters are highlighted such as, Three- Legged Willie Williamson, "Bigfoot" Walker and "Deaf" Smith. The TV Mini Series parallels the book. Texas was a dangerous place to live around 1836!
July 22, 2025
Texas has such a wild history I couldn't resist learning more. I listened to the audio and the reader performed very well. It is astounding, and sad, how much fighting occurred between settlers, Mexicans and Native Americans to make Texas independent. There was only one occasion, at least in this book, when someone initiated discussions instead of a battle. The violence and cruelty in some situations was devasting to learn about, much less experience. I can't begin to fathom how people coped, especially women who had to oversee everything while their husbands were away. I sometimes forget how hard life was during those years but the author paints a stark portrait.
July 24, 2018
I have always been drawn to Texas history. I remember being taught the Texas Revolution with Santa Anna as the hero of the story when I was in a California elementary school. Many years ago I read Texas by James Michener. This history of the Republic is very specific in the actions which happened and very explicit in its description. This is more of a military history than a social or political history. The rise of the Texas Rangers is also discussed well in this book.
March 19, 2020
As great as Texas
I enjoyed this book for the depth of its coverage of the establishing of the Texas Republic in the 1830's. However if you are thinking this a rehash of the TV series, Texas Rising, then you will be disappointed. This is history book not a historical novel. For me it was great because I like to read a good historical account of some event and that was what is here. So if you like History then this is a book to have.
I enjoyed this book for the depth of its coverage of the establishing of the Texas Republic in the 1830's. However if you are thinking this a rehash of the TV series, Texas Rising, then you will be disappointed. This is history book not a historical novel. For me it was great because I like to read a good historical account of some event and that was what is here. So if you like History then this is a book to have.
January 21, 2018
Companion piece to the Mini-series. The book is a pretty high level description of events, not much depth or analysis. Almost no background on the various cast of characters. Last third of the book lists out the various battles and skirmishes between the Texas Rangers and Native peoples, prior to annexation by the US.
December 21, 2019
The book was very detailed and provided a comprehensive insight into Texas's war for Independence and how the Rangers played a part. Some of the content is difficult, especially the parts discussing Indian raids. All in all a good read for anyone interested in Texas history.
January 18, 2020
While I truly appreciate the efforts of the author to write this historical book, it actually became boring near the end. There was so many dates & numerical accounts until it was hard to stay focused on the story line. Still it was a good even though I had to speed read the last few chapters. 😂
March 2, 2020
This book has its moments, particularly detailed descriptions of some interesting historical characters. However, the emphasis on a moment-to-moment perspective lacks the big picture framing that gives it more context and keeps it comprehensible for the layman.
March 7, 2020
Interesting history
Interesting detailed accounts of battles and the weapons used. Also how ranger units were formed and used and the effectiveness of small groups of determined to get a job done.
Interesting detailed accounts of battles and the weapons used. Also how ranger units were formed and used and the effectiveness of small groups of determined to get a job done.
June 5, 2017
I didn't realise how violent the clashes between the Indians and settlers were during this time period.
May 31, 2018
liked the history
September 23, 2018
Mostly a historical novel based on statistics and troop records. Still interesting, but not a moving piece.
September 25, 2018
Disappointing.
March 4, 2019
A great overview of Texas history. I must admit, seeing things from the early settlers point of view both warmed and broke my heart. I’m even more proud to be a Texan after reading this great book.
June 22, 2019
Boring !!!
Very boring book. 1/4 of the book just contains names. If those were deleted, the book would shrink by 25%. Read like a college history dissertation.
Very boring book. 1/4 of the book just contains names. If those were deleted, the book would shrink by 25%. Read like a college history dissertation.
November 24, 2019
A well written book and very engaging.
November 11, 2022
Texas 1836 to 1846
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews