The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900

by Mike Cox

Texas writer/historian Mike Cox explores the inception and rise of the famed Texas Rangers. Starting in 1821 with just a handful of men, the Rangers' first purpose was to keep settlers safe from the feared and gruesome Karankawa Indians, a cannibalistic tribe that wandered the Texas territory. As the influx of settlers grew, the attacks increased and it became clear that a much larger, better trained force was necessary. From their tumultuous beginning to their decades of fighting outlaws, Comanche, Mexican soldados and banditos, as well as Union soldiers, the Texas Rangers became one of the fiercest law enforcement groups in America. In a land as spread-out and sparsely populated as the west itself, the Rangers had unique law-enforcement responsibilities and challenges. The story of the Texas Rangers is as controversial as it is heroic. Often accused of vigilante-style racism and murder, they enforced the law with a heavy hand. But above all they were perhaps the defining force for the stabilization and the creation of Texas. From Stephen Austin in the early days through the Civil War, the first eighty years of the Texas Rangers is nothing less then phenomenal, and the efforts put forth in those days set the foundation for the Texas Rangers that keep Texas safe today.

Genres: History, Westerns, Nonfiction, American History

512 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2008

About the author

I am the author of 15 nonfiction books, the most recent being "Time of the Rangers" (New York: Forge Books, 2009), the second of my two-volume history of the Texas Rangers. Also just out is "Historic Photos of Texas Oil," (Nashville: Turner Publishing), a coffeetable book containing some 200 vintage photos from the oil patch. My other books include a study of Texas disasters, three other books on the Texas Rangers, one true crime story, a biography, a memoir and three local histories, as well as numerous magazine articles, essays and introductions for other books. I have been an elected member of the Texas Institute of Letters since 1993.

My byline regularly appears in a number of national and statewide magazines and I have been an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly 20 years, most of that time with the Austin American-Statesman.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

As deeply researched as anything you will find on the subject. Cox knows Texas backwards and forwards and does not miss a beat when he follows history beyond its borders into the periods larger context.
He avoids the pitfalls of the over informed and presents the subject in an easy flowing and consistantly entertaining form.
If you are interested in the subject it is required reading and a joy as well, cover to cover.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Amazon:
Cox breathes new life into the legendary Texas Rangers in this lively, enlightening history of one of the oldest, most esteemed law-enforcement agencies in America. Founded in 1821 in order to protect settlers from the fearsome Karankawa Indians, the force’s members and the scope of their mission grew in proportion to the sprawling territory they helped patrol. Though the threat of Indian attacks eventually abated, the Rangers fought an array of new enemies, including Mexican bandits and Union soldiers. Revered and reviled for their vigilante brand of justice, the Rangers constituted a law unto themselves on the raw Texas frontier. Cox, former spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, does an admirable job of documenting the first 80 years of this often controversial but always intriguing organization.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched, but horribly painful at times. Just a absolute horror to our American Indians. I am ashamed at times, during this book, at the behavior of American men. It was a mess on both sides. What a complete land greed on the part of the Americans "the only good Indian is a dead Indian". No thought of that fact that it wasn't our land? A complete disgrace at the brutal violence. Happy at times, Indians got the best of the Rangers. It wasn't that we just butchered the Indians, we also butchered the Mexicans. Sad, all the way around.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting history of the larger-than-life Texas Rangers.

[Claudia Hatchel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good coverage of 1800's Rangers

This book is chock full of detailed Ranger history, but is sometimes difficult to follow because of the way Cox jumbles the characters. Be ready to continually flip back and forth to figure out who he is referring to as characters are reintroduced by out of context by last name only. In addition, his attempts to be witty with historical information were off putting to me. For example, when describing the mob lynching of two criminals in one town, he referred to it as a"suspended sentence."...really?

[David Ingrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd wanted to read a book about the Texas Rangers for some time when I found this book at a local used bookstore. It was such a great read that I immediately ordered the companion volume, and started in on it after finishing the first volume (setting aside the many books I already own in the process.) Superb job by the author.

[C Settles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of the Texas Rangers is the history of Texas. If you want to understand the Texas mentality and world view, this two volume set is a must read.

[CW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Cox delivers a fabulous history of the legendary Texas Rangers. This is the 1st book in a two book series that chronicles the Rangers history from 1821-1900. Well documented history of the frontier peacekeepers from the days of Stephen F. Austin's colinization to the beginning of the 20th century. Gives well researched accounts of the battles against Indians, rustlers, desperados, train robbers, and those truly evil wire cutters. I have read a couple of other books about the Texas Rangers and this book is far and away the best of the bunch.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed history of the men who eventually were called Texas Rangers. I was especially intrigued by the period just prior to, during, and after the Civil War and Reconstruction, when political tensions were still high and volatile.

I took my time reading this book because of all the details, and I probably would have gotten more out of it had I been more familiar with Texas history. But I enjoyed the book and look forward to tackling Volume Two next.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stuff. Some of the stories are fascinating, but the author gets a little too into state budget concerns, who got promoted to what office, etc. Anyone who's reading a book on the Texas Rangers is more likely to be looking for gunfights with outlaws than Texas budgetary politics. Still, I enjoyed the read and will most likely start the second volume soon.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting history book from which I learned a lot. It's sometimes hard to keep track of the cast of characters, because there are so many people involved. It reads less like a history book and more like a series of short stories. If you're interested in this topic, you'll enjoy the book.

[Thelma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this book after checking out other reviews, but just couldn't get very far into it. It was very dry, disconnected and not at all like a collection of short stories that other reviewers indicated. Maybe you'll have better luck, or more patience. I can't recommend it.

[Don Thompson]

Was an interesting book as for me the Texas Rangers are some sort of mythical super hero's and all I really knew or most it came from movies. This book was factual and I found it interesting. If you want to find out the real down and dirty history of Texas and the Rangers this is a book to read

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

My step-dad's brother in law is quite the prolific Texas Ranger historian...this is his latest, and in my opinion best, work to date

[Joe]

Half way this this 2-volume set of the history of the Texas Rangers. Pretty good so far. I found out that I have ancestors who belonged to th erangers

[David R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lush with detail about seemingly every firefight waged by rangers in the 19th Century. Unfortunately I didn't engage with the book.

[Wayne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good ealry history

[Kuzriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great hx insite on early TX rangers.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow...

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough, well written also; a few boring stretches average it out.

[Lee White · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Texas you'll love this book!

[Mustang USMC]

America's Texas Rangers



This is an exceptional account of America's premiere law enforcement agency. If you enjoy history, you'll love this book. Truly excellent.

[Kathryn Adam-Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Texas Rangers from 1821-1900. Excellent. Well written.

[Kjeld Mikkelsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900