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Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers: The Texas Victory That Changed American History
The New York Times bestseller now in paperback with a new epilogue.
In March 1836, the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna massacred more than two hundred Texians who had been trapped in the Alamo. After thirteen days of fighting, American legends Jim Bowie and Davey Crockett died there, along with other Americans who had moved to Texas looking for a fresh start. It was a crushing blow to Texas’s fight for freedom.
But the story doesn’t end there. The defeat galvanized the Texian settlers, and under General Sam Houston’s leadership they rallied. Six weeks after the Alamo, Houston and his band of settlers defeated Santa Anna’s army in a shocking victory, winning the independence for which so many had died.
Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers recaptures this pivotal war that changed America forever, and sheds light on the tightrope all war heroes walk between courage and calculation. Thanks to Kilmeade’s storytelling, a new generation of readers will remember the Alamo—and recognize the lesser known heroes who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
In March 1836, the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna massacred more than two hundred Texians who had been trapped in the Alamo. After thirteen days of fighting, American legends Jim Bowie and Davey Crockett died there, along with other Americans who had moved to Texas looking for a fresh start. It was a crushing blow to Texas’s fight for freedom.
But the story doesn’t end there. The defeat galvanized the Texian settlers, and under General Sam Houston’s leadership they rallied. Six weeks after the Alamo, Houston and his band of settlers defeated Santa Anna’s army in a shocking victory, winning the independence for which so many had died.
Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers recaptures this pivotal war that changed America forever, and sheds light on the tightrope all war heroes walk between courage and calculation. Thanks to Kilmeade’s storytelling, a new generation of readers will remember the Alamo—and recognize the lesser known heroes who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2019
1979 people are currently reading
3335 people want to read
About the author
Brian Kilmeade
12 books548 followersAs cohost of FOX & Friends, the number one rated morning program on cable television for the past nine years, Brian Kilmeade shares his unique perspective on the daily news. He has interviewed the biggest names in politics, sports and entertainment, often securing exclusive content.
Kilmeade played a large part in FOX ís coverage of September 11th, as well as coverage including reporting from war zones in the middle east and over a dozen military bases from coast to coast. In addition, he has contributed live coverage of both the Democratic and Republican Party Conventions.
Also serving as the networks sports anchor, Kilmeade has reported on or provided live coverage of every major American sport over the last twenty years.
Currently, he is the host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show on FOX News Radio, Kilmeade & Friends. The show is heard on 80 stations, as well as XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Kilmeade’s first book, The Games Do Count: America’s Best & Brightest On The Power Of Sports (2004), was The New York Times best-seller and presents more than seventy stories straight from America’s top leaders and those who were closest to them. Kilmeade reveals this simple and compelling truth: America’s best and brightest haven’t just worked hard—they’ve played hard, too.
His companion volume, It’s How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America’s Finest (2007), reveals personal stories of the defining sports moments in the lives of athletes, CEOs, actors, politicians, and historical figures—and how what they learned on the field prepared them to handle life and overcome adversity with courage, dignity, and sportsmanship. Sports Illustrated said of it, “This book taught me more about some of my favorite leaders than any profile of them I had ever read.”
A graduate of Long Island University, Kilmeade began his career as a correspondent on Channel One, a daily national high school television news program. He then served as an anchor and host for KHSC-TV in Ontario, California. Brian also hosted sports talk radio for top rated XTRA-AM 690 whose duties included co-hosting The Jim Brown Show.
Prior to joining FOX News Channel, Kilmeade served as a freelance sports anchor for NBC in Hartford, as well as a sideline reporter for the MSG Network, where he covered the New York/New Jersey Metro-Stars, a major league soccer team based in Giants Stadium. He worked as a feature reporter and anchor for Newsport TV, where he hosted Newsport Journal, a daily magazine show for the national sports network. He also anchored Scoreboard Central, a live half-hour general sports program.
In addition to his career in journalism, Kilmeade has 10 years of experience as a stand-up comedian. He lives in Massapequa with his family, where he still coaches soccer.
Kilmeade played a large part in FOX ís coverage of September 11th, as well as coverage including reporting from war zones in the middle east and over a dozen military bases from coast to coast. In addition, he has contributed live coverage of both the Democratic and Republican Party Conventions.
Also serving as the networks sports anchor, Kilmeade has reported on or provided live coverage of every major American sport over the last twenty years.
Currently, he is the host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show on FOX News Radio, Kilmeade & Friends. The show is heard on 80 stations, as well as XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Kilmeade’s first book, The Games Do Count: America’s Best & Brightest On The Power Of Sports (2004), was The New York Times best-seller and presents more than seventy stories straight from America’s top leaders and those who were closest to them. Kilmeade reveals this simple and compelling truth: America’s best and brightest haven’t just worked hard—they’ve played hard, too.
His companion volume, It’s How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America’s Finest (2007), reveals personal stories of the defining sports moments in the lives of athletes, CEOs, actors, politicians, and historical figures—and how what they learned on the field prepared them to handle life and overcome adversity with courage, dignity, and sportsmanship. Sports Illustrated said of it, “This book taught me more about some of my favorite leaders than any profile of them I had ever read.”
A graduate of Long Island University, Kilmeade began his career as a correspondent on Channel One, a daily national high school television news program. He then served as an anchor and host for KHSC-TV in Ontario, California. Brian also hosted sports talk radio for top rated XTRA-AM 690 whose duties included co-hosting The Jim Brown Show.
Prior to joining FOX News Channel, Kilmeade served as a freelance sports anchor for NBC in Hartford, as well as a sideline reporter for the MSG Network, where he covered the New York/New Jersey Metro-Stars, a major league soccer team based in Giants Stadium. He worked as a feature reporter and anchor for Newsport TV, where he hosted Newsport Journal, a daily magazine show for the national sports network. He also anchored Scoreboard Central, a live half-hour general sports program.
In addition to his career in journalism, Kilmeade has 10 years of experience as a stand-up comedian. He lives in Massapequa with his family, where he still coaches soccer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 554 reviews
November 27, 2019
The diagrams in the book were not easy to make out.
November 10, 2019
Originally I gave this book 4 stars as the author makes this a fun dramatic story. I enjoy the details on the Texas Revolution trail, or events leading up to the Alamo.
As usual Travis, Crockett, and Bowie are highlighted as defenders of the Alamo. I think it was a bit unfortunate that more time was not spend telling the story of the soldiers.
Also, the Alamo eye witness accounts vary greatly. The author seems to pick the most popular theories of how Bowie and Crockett died. Theories I have heard or read include Crockett was captured and executed by swords. Or shot. Or died from a bayonet to the heart. Or he died fighting. First he was using his famous knife to stab Mexican soldiers as the entered a building. He was shot in his right arm and then used his left arm and rifle to club more soldiers. He was then hit with a bayonet in the heart. Or under his right eye. One eye witness said he was dead on the ground surrounded by dead Mexican soldiers with his famous hat laying next to him on the ground.
By writing details that sound like proven fact in a book that should be non fiction is a mistake in my opinion.
The story of the Alamo is both heartbreaking and inspiring. This book is heavy on the inspiring. Perhaps this book was meant for people who don’t usually enjoy nonfiction.
As usual Travis, Crockett, and Bowie are highlighted as defenders of the Alamo. I think it was a bit unfortunate that more time was not spend telling the story of the soldiers.
Also, the Alamo eye witness accounts vary greatly. The author seems to pick the most popular theories of how Bowie and Crockett died. Theories I have heard or read include Crockett was captured and executed by swords. Or shot. Or died from a bayonet to the heart. Or he died fighting. First he was using his famous knife to stab Mexican soldiers as the entered a building. He was shot in his right arm and then used his left arm and rifle to club more soldiers. He was then hit with a bayonet in the heart. Or under his right eye. One eye witness said he was dead on the ground surrounded by dead Mexican soldiers with his famous hat laying next to him on the ground.
By writing details that sound like proven fact in a book that should be non fiction is a mistake in my opinion.
The story of the Alamo is both heartbreaking and inspiring. This book is heavy on the inspiring. Perhaps this book was meant for people who don’t usually enjoy nonfiction.
May 1, 2023
Brian Kilmeade seems to have replace Bill O’Reilly as the pop-history guru at the FNC with his highly entertaining, readable stories…He covers the rise of Texas and its war for independence from Mexico here and along with its rise, the story of Sam Houston’s rise… A quick, entertaining read, but it really elides over the role the the defense of slavery had in Texas’ fight!
January 12, 2020
Another great book by Kilmeade. So readable.
I loved getting to know the men who fled to Mexican territory to start their lives over after they'd messed up royally in the states. Most of these Texians (initial spelling) were drunks and cheats and failures in their previous lives. Their second chance was to settle in Mexico, which meant facing the shear brutality of starting from nothing while always on the lookout for Indian attacks. It was a tough life, but nothing compared to the callous cruelty and viciousness of Santa Anna.
Loved reading about the good and bad choices made at the Alamo and the battles that occurred afterward. Excellent detail. Helped me to finally understand how Texas became an independent nation from Mexico and then part of the US.
I loved getting to know the men who fled to Mexican territory to start their lives over after they'd messed up royally in the states. Most of these Texians (initial spelling) were drunks and cheats and failures in their previous lives. Their second chance was to settle in Mexico, which meant facing the shear brutality of starting from nothing while always on the lookout for Indian attacks. It was a tough life, but nothing compared to the callous cruelty and viciousness of Santa Anna.
Loved reading about the good and bad choices made at the Alamo and the battles that occurred afterward. Excellent detail. Helped me to finally understand how Texas became an independent nation from Mexico and then part of the US.
November 18, 2019
Disappointing — this book comes across more as a school book report than a scholarly examination of the Alamo and its aftermath. It seemed Mr. Kilmeade watched the movie and then wrote a book. I paid $30 for this at an airport bookstore. What a mistake.
March 15, 2020
Kilmeade's book is clearly pop history. Written at a very low level for easy reading, this is not a challenging or thought-provoking book in the slightest. Kilmeade takes extreme liberties in his depiction of Jackson's policies, and worse, he takes great pains to erase the accomplishments and sacrifices of Tejano fighters and enslaved men. He fails to even mention the possibility of slavery as being one of the factors in the desire for independence from Mexico. This is a slimmed-down, whitewashed retelling of a story of great bravery but also of flawed men and women rising up against an autocratic despot.
November 19, 2019
A must read for all lovers of liberty. Kilmeade skims off the cowardly patriot’s dross by placing us right in the action of freedom’s furnace. There we are beaten on the anvil of the example of Texas liberation: “God and Texas - Liberty or Death.” History shows that freedom comes only through acts of bravery. Just ask Jesus.
May 16, 2022
This book was better than the last Kilmeade. book I read. Much better. Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett and many other less famous heroes were brutally murdered at the Alamo.
But not Sam Houston, who had avoided being present at the Alamo. He was more of a politician who kept in the background and watched others take the risks while he garnered the credits. Sam managed to keep himself physically away from several battles and massacres by the treacherous Santa Anna who would make truces and then viciously break his promises and murder the Texans.
However, because Sam had maneuvered himself into such political prominence, he was swept forward as the General of the final deciding Battle at San Jacinto for the state of Texas when Santa Anna was captured. Sam’s ankle was permanently injured in this battle.
The Texans were so afire against the dishonorable Santa Anna that the army unanimously went after Santa Anna and Sam was a puppet leader, he didn’t even give orders. The army knew what moves to make and they made them without asking. They captured Santa Anna and would have executed him, but Sam kept Santa Anna alive and later helped him to be released back to Mexico.
Sam’s later life was interesting. Sam then married Margaret Lea, 26 years younger, and they had eight children.
During the Civil War, President Lincoln knew that Sam was on the Union side and sent him a written offer to pay Texas money for joining the Union side. Sam knew that Texas was on the Confederate side and would never accept this, so he spent his energies keeping Texas from joining the Confederacy. However his own teenaged son, Sam Houston Junior, went against his father and joined and fought with the Confederate army.
This was an interesting book and it included a middle section of wonderful photographs.
It also included important maps throughout, and I wish the maps had had more detail.
But not Sam Houston, who had avoided being present at the Alamo. He was more of a politician who kept in the background and watched others take the risks while he garnered the credits. Sam managed to keep himself physically away from several battles and massacres by the treacherous Santa Anna who would make truces and then viciously break his promises and murder the Texans.
However, because Sam had maneuvered himself into such political prominence, he was swept forward as the General of the final deciding Battle at San Jacinto for the state of Texas when Santa Anna was captured. Sam’s ankle was permanently injured in this battle.
The Texans were so afire against the dishonorable Santa Anna that the army unanimously went after Santa Anna and Sam was a puppet leader, he didn’t even give orders. The army knew what moves to make and they made them without asking. They captured Santa Anna and would have executed him, but Sam kept Santa Anna alive and later helped him to be released back to Mexico.
Sam’s later life was interesting. Sam then married Margaret Lea, 26 years younger, and they had eight children.
During the Civil War, President Lincoln knew that Sam was on the Union side and sent him a written offer to pay Texas money for joining the Union side. Sam knew that Texas was on the Confederate side and would never accept this, so he spent his energies keeping Texas from joining the Confederacy. However his own teenaged son, Sam Houston Junior, went against his father and joined and fought with the Confederate army.
This was an interesting book and it included a middle section of wonderful photographs.
It also included important maps throughout, and I wish the maps had had more detail.
September 1, 2022
Most people think the Texas Battle cry is "Remember the Alamo" - and it might be for all I know - and have only the minor knowledge that the historic occurrence was connected in a fight between the Mexican government and American Texian residents. Echoes of the American Revolution which had the rebellious colonists verses the English crown.
Well, Kilmeade gives the reader a more complete picture of what brought about the conflict between the Texian settlers and the Mexican government under Santa Anna, the actual battle that lead to the massacre of the defendants at the Alamo Mission and how it galvanized not only the rest of the population but brought American troops into the territory. Texas gained it's independence to a republic but it was only a short time later that it joined - was annexed - by the United States.
Intriguing amount of information in a very readable format. The heroes, the villains, the everyday people fighting for their homes. Interesting and I certainly will be looking up a couple more of Kilmeade's published works to see his twist on some other pivotal junction in history.
2022-190
Well, Kilmeade gives the reader a more complete picture of what brought about the conflict between the Texian settlers and the Mexican government under Santa Anna, the actual battle that lead to the massacre of the defendants at the Alamo Mission and how it galvanized not only the rest of the population but brought American troops into the territory. Texas gained it's independence to a republic but it was only a short time later that it joined - was annexed - by the United States.
Intriguing amount of information in a very readable format. The heroes, the villains, the everyday people fighting for their homes. Interesting and I certainly will be looking up a couple more of Kilmeade's published works to see his twist on some other pivotal junction in history.
2022-190
January 14, 2020
Two-stars might be a stretch. Who among us (of a certain age) was not at some point caught up in the fight for Texas independence with the siege of the Alamo at the core. The question always remained what part myth, what part reality? Kilmeade does little to move past myth. Indeed, in the 'Acknowledgements' he concedes that the historic record is cloudy and conflicting and faced with such he compared, examined, contrasted . . . and used his judgement for what 'most likely happened'. In short, he runs with myth.
The expansion of slavery, the No. 1 political topics of that era, was underneath the Texas Revolution. The Anglo-Americans swore to obey the laws of Mexico, including the 1829 emancipation proclamation. Mexico was ardently Catholic and wanted nothing to do with the peculiar institution that was slowly ripping the US apart. You will find none of that here.
The expansion of slavery, the No. 1 political topics of that era, was underneath the Texas Revolution. The Anglo-Americans swore to obey the laws of Mexico, including the 1829 emancipation proclamation. Mexico was ardently Catholic and wanted nothing to do with the peculiar institution that was slowly ripping the US apart. You will find none of that here.
February 22, 2020
This was an easy-to-read history of Texas and its founders as a Republic. As with other Kilmeade books, there is obviously a lot of assumption and triangulation (which the author acknowledges) in order to have a readable story.
February 9, 2020
This was really great! I expected it to be good and informative, but it was much more lively and riveting than I expected. I'm a Texan, so I know the story and most of the details, but Brian's style kept me on the edge of my seat as we marched toward Texas Independence at the Battle of San Jacinto. Along the way I learned some details I didn't know, and got to know the personalities of several important Texas Heroes I only knew from a distance before.
February 16, 2021
Having been educated in Texas, it would be easy for me to say that this book is an overview of the Texas Revolution. By saying the easy thing, I would be ignoring how Killmeade worked to include women's presence and participation in the Texas Revolution, how he worked to indicate the importance of the fledging newspaper the Telegraph and the Texas Register. Maybe someone who still can will seek out the newspapers records and write a historical/rhetorical analysis of the part the newspaper played in spreading information or propaganda.
This is the second book by Killmeade that I have read. I have also read Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History. I hope to read more.
Read as part of my nonfiction personal challenge: 21 All About Texas in 2021.
This is the second book by Killmeade that I have read. I have also read Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History. I hope to read more.
Read as part of my nonfiction personal challenge: 21 All About Texas in 2021.
June 3, 2021
This was an excellent telling of what happened after the slaughter at the Alamo. Sam Houston was in a position to lead a ragtag army against a very well-drilled and well-armed Mexican army led by General (and President) Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Houston was on the verge of seeing his army fall apart due to the lack of engagement on his part. However, Houston took a page from General George Washington and waited until the time was right. While the US government was not officially involved in the Secretary of War Thomas Jefferson Rusk was involved in the planning. He did not represent the US Government. Although Andrew Jackson was surely supportive of his protege Houston the US Government was neutral. The final battle was fraught with good luck and good timing on the part of the Texians. The victory led to independence for Texas as a nation which of course would become a state in the not too distant future.
I highly recommend this book by Brian Kilmeade. I recommend any book he has written. His writing is excellent. His writing makes history come alive. If you enjoy history read this book you will not be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book by Brian Kilmeade. I recommend any book he has written. His writing is excellent. His writing makes history come alive. If you enjoy history read this book you will not be disappointed.
December 26, 2019
A very action packed and dramatic accounting of the losses at the Alamo and at Goliad. He also describes Houston’s often controversial journey leading up to his stunning victory over Santa Anna at San Jacinto. All major characters and founders of Texas are brought to life and help weave the story of Texas independence. Excellent book.
February 13, 2020
I’m glad I read it.
It was a good historical read. I’m traveling to San Antonio and wanted to know the history of this region before I head down there. Kept me interested unlike other history books.
It was a good historical read. I’m traveling to San Antonio and wanted to know the history of this region before I head down there. Kept me interested unlike other history books.
May 30, 2020
From the host of Fox and Friends comes the epic story of Texas independence. I will respect the author's copyright by refraining from quoting this book, but this book should be required reading for all high school civics classes. It tells of the struggle for Texas independence without fluff and prose/poetry. A very satisfying summertime read.
August 9, 2021
One of the best accounts of the big picture of the fight for Texas independence that I have ever read.
April 16, 2021
Revisionist history. The pacing is good and it is entertaining enough, though a little cliché with the hero worship. Sam Houston, and co, while important figures, were not the unimpeachable superheroes this book childishly paints them out to be. Yes, let me reiterate: they WERE important historical figures. But they had their faults - such as fighting to make Texas a slave state to bring into the union, tipping the political scale in the USA in the slave states favor. This was just one of several crucial details Kilmeade chose to ignore. Another one is the dehumanizing simple labels on Santa Anna. Yes, he sucked, but him being portrayed as basically completely evil and brutal is a huge cop-out. Oh, and Kilmeade chose to ignore the fact that a lot of Mexicans, the Tejanos, fought with the Texans to secure independence. The support from the Tejanos was a pivotal piece in swaying the rebellion in the favor of Texas sovereignty. The writing was also on a middle school, simplistic level: not to the standards of legitimate historical writing.
December 17, 2019
I actually only read this because I live in Texas and figured it would be good to actually learn something about the names of some cities and counties here. I didn't like it. I'm probably losing my Texan status because I'm firmly convinced that these founding fathers were incompetent blowhards and your typical entitled white guys who just got really lucky. The narrative is very much military history and I don't really like retellings of who marched where and when. I much prefer social histories that give me perspective on how people actually lived in a particular era. So my rating may have as much to do with my personal preferences as the writing. Because I'm an entitled white woman who didn't get all that lucky with this reading choice.
December 2, 2019
The book content was good, but I did not enjoy the author reading the book. The inflection was all wrong making sad events appear exciting. It just made the book hard to listen to when the author read it with the excitement of a party instead of a war. Sorry Brian. Please let someone else do the audio version next time. :-(
January 12, 2020
Excellent! Great detail but never gets bogged down and boring like some nonfiction. A must-read for all Texans as well as anyone interested in American History.
February 18, 2025
"'They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates.'"
Loved getting to know more about the Alamo (which I was lucky enough to visit in Middle school on a trip with my family and do in fact often remember) and the Texas War for Independence. History is cool, dammit
Loved getting to know more about the Alamo (which I was lucky enough to visit in Middle school on a trip with my family and do in fact often remember) and the Texas War for Independence. History is cool, dammit
March 12, 2024
This was a very informative and enjoyable read. If you love history you will think the book a wonderful read. If you have visited San Antonio and the Alamo, the story is even more interesting.
February 28, 2020
I knew very little about the Battle of the Alamo going into Brian Kilmeade’s latest historical nonfiction book, “Sam Houston & the Alamo Avengers”, and that’s a shame, because while I consider myself somewhat learned in American history, clearly there are major gaps in my knowledge. I can only imagine that the average American knows very little about it as well, unless you are a Texan, and you are probably taught it starting in Kindergarten, in which case you know everything about Texas history.
I was not born in Texas, so the story of the brave men who fought and died at the Alamo Mission church in what is today the city of San Antonio, was not a major part of the curriculum of American history in school. Sure, it was mentioned briefly as a vital battle that ultimately led to Texas becoming a state of the Union, but it tended to get short shrift compared to the American Revolution and the Civil War. As a kid we were taught to “Remember the Alamo!”, but we just weren’t taught exactly what to remember it for.
Kilmeade has done another fine job of telling a piece of American history in a way that makes it real and relevant. He has managed to humanize and bring to life the many colorful characters involved, including James Bowie, David “Davy” Crockett, William Travis, and El Presidente General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (a most vicious and cruel villain if there ever was one).
Houston, of course, is the focal point in Kilmeade’s book. Starting with his stint, under General Andrew Jackson, at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend against marauding Red Stick Creek American Indians, where he learned a valuable lesson in leadership, Houston went on to live an extremely exciting life: living among the Cherokee tribe, winning the war against Mexico, capturing Santa Anna, becoming president of the Texas Republic before it became a state, becoming a Congressman, governor of Tennessee, and later retiring with his Cherokee friends in Arkansas.
But that list of achievements tells only a small part of the fascinating story of the man and his life experiences, as well as the intersection of other fascinating people in his lifetime.
I’ll be honest: I don’t normally like books about war and battles. Most of the time, it is an endless stream of boring numbers and dates---troop counts, casualties, when this happened, when that happened---and strategy that I simply don’t find interesting. While Kilmeade succumbs to this preoccupation occasionally, he keeps coming back to what I feel is the most important part of the story: the human drama, the real people and how they felt and what they believed and why they fought.
This is why I felt “Sam Houston & the Alamo Avengers” was a great book. It’s certainly the best one among Kilmeade’s four other historical books he has written and co-written, all of which I have enjoyed. And while I know that there is more story to tell than the 232 pages in Kilmeade’s book, this is certainly a good starting point.
If Kilmeade succeeds in merely sowing the seed of interest in American history in a reader where none existed before, then he has done a good job. I can honestly say that he has certainly ignited a passion for reading more history in me.
I was not born in Texas, so the story of the brave men who fought and died at the Alamo Mission church in what is today the city of San Antonio, was not a major part of the curriculum of American history in school. Sure, it was mentioned briefly as a vital battle that ultimately led to Texas becoming a state of the Union, but it tended to get short shrift compared to the American Revolution and the Civil War. As a kid we were taught to “Remember the Alamo!”, but we just weren’t taught exactly what to remember it for.
Kilmeade has done another fine job of telling a piece of American history in a way that makes it real and relevant. He has managed to humanize and bring to life the many colorful characters involved, including James Bowie, David “Davy” Crockett, William Travis, and El Presidente General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (a most vicious and cruel villain if there ever was one).
Houston, of course, is the focal point in Kilmeade’s book. Starting with his stint, under General Andrew Jackson, at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend against marauding Red Stick Creek American Indians, where he learned a valuable lesson in leadership, Houston went on to live an extremely exciting life: living among the Cherokee tribe, winning the war against Mexico, capturing Santa Anna, becoming president of the Texas Republic before it became a state, becoming a Congressman, governor of Tennessee, and later retiring with his Cherokee friends in Arkansas.
But that list of achievements tells only a small part of the fascinating story of the man and his life experiences, as well as the intersection of other fascinating people in his lifetime.
I’ll be honest: I don’t normally like books about war and battles. Most of the time, it is an endless stream of boring numbers and dates---troop counts, casualties, when this happened, when that happened---and strategy that I simply don’t find interesting. While Kilmeade succumbs to this preoccupation occasionally, he keeps coming back to what I feel is the most important part of the story: the human drama, the real people and how they felt and what they believed and why they fought.
This is why I felt “Sam Houston & the Alamo Avengers” was a great book. It’s certainly the best one among Kilmeade’s four other historical books he has written and co-written, all of which I have enjoyed. And while I know that there is more story to tell than the 232 pages in Kilmeade’s book, this is certainly a good starting point.
If Kilmeade succeeds in merely sowing the seed of interest in American history in a reader where none existed before, then he has done a good job. I can honestly say that he has certainly ignited a passion for reading more history in me.
December 3, 2019
The history of Texas and especially the The Alamo and its brave heroes is always fascinating. As always I try to read along with the audiobook. However the ebook was not available with the audiobook.
To hear Brian (the bolillio) Kilmeade murder the pronunciation of most counties and rivers is hilarious. He did his homework as far as resources and research he might have gone a step further to get the pronunciations correct.
That does not take away from the book. This is a first rate book and should be read by all. Sam Houston a flawed man in his own right made up for it with bravery and leadership. After his first wife left and him abandoning his second wife and children he made Texas his life long mistress.
I have not read any books on Sam Houston and really enjoyed my first. Thankfully my first focused on the battles which led to his successes. The stories did not include much if any time that he spent with the Cherokee Indians.
Although with such a long career it is much easier to focus on a shorter period. And the Alamo is a great place to start.
This really was a brief focused telling on the events leading up to the slaughter at the Alamo, and the slaughter at Goliad, and final Texian victory at San Jacinto. If you are looking for an on depth telling of Sam Houston's life and times this is not it.
However if you want a down and dirty working making mans telling of those events. You will enjoy this .
So enjoy!
To hear Brian (the bolillio) Kilmeade murder the pronunciation of most counties and rivers is hilarious. He did his homework as far as resources and research he might have gone a step further to get the pronunciations correct.
That does not take away from the book. This is a first rate book and should be read by all. Sam Houston a flawed man in his own right made up for it with bravery and leadership. After his first wife left and him abandoning his second wife and children he made Texas his life long mistress.
I have not read any books on Sam Houston and really enjoyed my first. Thankfully my first focused on the battles which led to his successes. The stories did not include much if any time that he spent with the Cherokee Indians.
Although with such a long career it is much easier to focus on a shorter period. And the Alamo is a great place to start.
This really was a brief focused telling on the events leading up to the slaughter at the Alamo, and the slaughter at Goliad, and final Texian victory at San Jacinto. If you are looking for an on depth telling of Sam Houston's life and times this is not it.
However if you want a down and dirty working making mans telling of those events. You will enjoy this .
So enjoy!
June 12, 2024
Am I a history nut...yes! Do I love the Alamo story...yes! So, it is natural that I liked this book. Sort of dramatic to make that point but a long winter has put me in a dramatic frame of mind. This book explores more than just the Alamo and more than just Sam Houston. It is well researched and detailed without getting boring or too dense. The battle over Texas is a critical piece of our nation's history and is often not looked at in that light. This book shines that light on the point and manages to show that even in 1836 the people who had immigrated to America had a singular will when it came to matters of liberty (and land). I am going to read more of the books written by this duo.
P.S. My most recent "reading" of this book was listening to the audible version of it. Read by the author, it leaves a bit to be desired from an audible standpoint, but the content itself is solid as outlined above. I can add that it does a great job of providing a timeline of events leading up to the Alamo. Most people are familiar with that incident, but many are not familiar with several battles and skirmishes that occurred before. I highly recommend this book to any history buffs or people who want to read up on this part of history without investing in a book several hundred pages long.
P.S. My most recent "reading" of this book was listening to the audible version of it. Read by the author, it leaves a bit to be desired from an audible standpoint, but the content itself is solid as outlined above. I can add that it does a great job of providing a timeline of events leading up to the Alamo. Most people are familiar with that incident, but many are not familiar with several battles and skirmishes that occurred before. I highly recommend this book to any history buffs or people who want to read up on this part of history without investing in a book several hundred pages long.
September 30, 2023
This is the best book I have read on the history of Texas.
Kilmeade clears up the confusion surrounding the founding of Texas.
I will begin with a bunch of confusing dates. It may be bad writing to load the details at the opening of this review, but I am writing this for my own future reference, and I want to cover this in chronological order. Not all of what follows is from Kilmeade's book--he does not get lost in the weeds on these dates, merely explaining that "Jefferson believed the Purchase to include Texas." But I am heading into the weeds for one paragraph:
You could argue the story of Texas begins with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Thomas Jefferson (and presumably Napoleon) believed the Louisiana Purchase to include the land of Texas, the Rio Grande being the understood (but unstated) western border. Spain later disputed that, claiming to have purchased Texas from France in 1762 (though the boundaries of that purchase were also unstated), and President John Quincy Adams surrendered Texas to Spain when he agreed to make the Sabine the border instead of the Rio Grande in 1819. When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, naturally it claimed Texas. Nevertheless, there remains some grounds for a US claim to Texas based on Jefferson's understanding of the Louisiana Purchase.
It is a grave misunderstanding that allows many today to believe--because of badly made movies--that America's acquisition of Texas was nothing more than a massive "land grab." In response to this, Kilmeade proves the simple truth: Spain and Mexico had long encouraged Americans to leave their homes and come settle the wilderness of Texas in exchange for land. Thousands came and put down roots, only to be kicked out a few years later by Santa Anna, the dictator who said all Americans must get out of Texas or be killed. More on that below.
This book has short chapters and makes for relatively easy reading. This is not a historical tome, but a page turner. Enjoyable and somewhat light. For those who want to go deeper, the author provides a tremendous bibliography, end notes, and more at the end of the book.
My only complaint about Kilmeade's work is that I believe the subtitle promises what the book fails to deliver. I believe he is correct in calling it "the Texas victory that changed American history," but I'm not convinced we have heard enough about that in this book. How did the victory change American history? How exactly? I believe there is a story here--not simply that America gained the land of Texas--but a story of valor and inspiration, of integrity and honor among warring nations, and more. There is a reason that for many generations Americans all over the country were inspired by the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. I would love to hear more about that.
What follows is not strictly a book review, per se. But these are two posts on Facebook that I wrote while reading the book....
***
I'm not a fan of the 2004 Alamo movie starring Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid. It oversimplifies the issues, making the whole battle nothing more than a land grab. The truth is, the Mexican government had encouraged Americans to move into Texas, offering cheap land if the newcomers would farm it, defend it, and settle it. Then after the Americans had moved in and built homes, villages, schools, and churches, the tyrant Santa Anna took over and decreed (among other things) that all Americans had to get out of Texas or be killed. After investing the best years of their lives carving a civilization out of a hostile wilderness, no one was interested in running back to Tennessee.
The Texians (American settlers) along with Tejanos (Mexican citizens partial to the Texian cause) eventually drafted a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE in which they set down in print their numerous complaints against Santa Anna, the new King George to the south. Because of Santa Anna's tyranny and despotism, the entire U.S. found itself rooting for the rebels in Texas--the obvious parallels to the fight with England 60 years before lost on no one.
This was not a land grab. It was a battle for freedom and basic human rights.
NOW, why do I bring this up? Because one of my complaints about the movie is its ubiquitous use (in marketing materials) of a line spoken by Davy Crockett: "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."
Even though I have the blue coffee cup with these words on it, I was convinced the line was apocryphal, made up in Hollywood.
I was wrong.
When Crockett faced a losing election, he explained:
"'I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but if not, they might go to hell, and I would go to Texas.' After losing by 252 votes, Crockett, true to his word, lit out on the Southwest Trail." (And he then spent three months WALKING to Texas with his rifle Betsy.)
--From SAM HOUSTON AND THE ALAMO AVENGERS: THE TEXAS VICTORY THAT CHANGED AMERICAN HISTORY, by Brian Kilmeade.
***
A MOST UNUSUAL FUNERAL IN MEXICO.
Following his humiliating loss at San Jacinto (or Lynch's Ferry), Santa Anna briefly withdrew from public life. Not only had he lost the war and lost Texas, but his men could not forget he ordered them to slaughter the Texian prisoners at the Alamo and at Goliad. Following the two massacres of unarmed men, one Mexican soldier wrote home, "any more victories like this one and we shall all go to straight to Hell." The bodies of the murdered prisoners were not buried, but burned in massive pyres.
Eventually Santa Anna went to war again fighting off a French invasion of Mexico at Vera Cruz. The "Butcher of the Alamo" performed nobly (i.e., he didn't lose) and was also valiantly injured. His leg had to be amputated. The injury restored some of the shine to the name of the disgraced former president. Soon his fame and regal bearing won the people over and he would be elected president of Mexico again ...
but not before they first held a STATE FUNERAL for the butcher's amputated leg.
--Based on passages in SAM HOUSTON AND THE ALAMO AVENGERS, by Brian Kilmeade.
Kilmeade clears up the confusion surrounding the founding of Texas.
I will begin with a bunch of confusing dates. It may be bad writing to load the details at the opening of this review, but I am writing this for my own future reference, and I want to cover this in chronological order. Not all of what follows is from Kilmeade's book--he does not get lost in the weeds on these dates, merely explaining that "Jefferson believed the Purchase to include Texas." But I am heading into the weeds for one paragraph:
You could argue the story of Texas begins with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Thomas Jefferson (and presumably Napoleon) believed the Louisiana Purchase to include the land of Texas, the Rio Grande being the understood (but unstated) western border. Spain later disputed that, claiming to have purchased Texas from France in 1762 (though the boundaries of that purchase were also unstated), and President John Quincy Adams surrendered Texas to Spain when he agreed to make the Sabine the border instead of the Rio Grande in 1819. When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, naturally it claimed Texas. Nevertheless, there remains some grounds for a US claim to Texas based on Jefferson's understanding of the Louisiana Purchase.
It is a grave misunderstanding that allows many today to believe--because of badly made movies--that America's acquisition of Texas was nothing more than a massive "land grab." In response to this, Kilmeade proves the simple truth: Spain and Mexico had long encouraged Americans to leave their homes and come settle the wilderness of Texas in exchange for land. Thousands came and put down roots, only to be kicked out a few years later by Santa Anna, the dictator who said all Americans must get out of Texas or be killed. More on that below.
This book has short chapters and makes for relatively easy reading. This is not a historical tome, but a page turner. Enjoyable and somewhat light. For those who want to go deeper, the author provides a tremendous bibliography, end notes, and more at the end of the book.
My only complaint about Kilmeade's work is that I believe the subtitle promises what the book fails to deliver. I believe he is correct in calling it "the Texas victory that changed American history," but I'm not convinced we have heard enough about that in this book. How did the victory change American history? How exactly? I believe there is a story here--not simply that America gained the land of Texas--but a story of valor and inspiration, of integrity and honor among warring nations, and more. There is a reason that for many generations Americans all over the country were inspired by the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. I would love to hear more about that.
What follows is not strictly a book review, per se. But these are two posts on Facebook that I wrote while reading the book....
***
I'm not a fan of the 2004 Alamo movie starring Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid. It oversimplifies the issues, making the whole battle nothing more than a land grab. The truth is, the Mexican government had encouraged Americans to move into Texas, offering cheap land if the newcomers would farm it, defend it, and settle it. Then after the Americans had moved in and built homes, villages, schools, and churches, the tyrant Santa Anna took over and decreed (among other things) that all Americans had to get out of Texas or be killed. After investing the best years of their lives carving a civilization out of a hostile wilderness, no one was interested in running back to Tennessee.
The Texians (American settlers) along with Tejanos (Mexican citizens partial to the Texian cause) eventually drafted a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE in which they set down in print their numerous complaints against Santa Anna, the new King George to the south. Because of Santa Anna's tyranny and despotism, the entire U.S. found itself rooting for the rebels in Texas--the obvious parallels to the fight with England 60 years before lost on no one.
This was not a land grab. It was a battle for freedom and basic human rights.
NOW, why do I bring this up? Because one of my complaints about the movie is its ubiquitous use (in marketing materials) of a line spoken by Davy Crockett: "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."
Even though I have the blue coffee cup with these words on it, I was convinced the line was apocryphal, made up in Hollywood.
I was wrong.
When Crockett faced a losing election, he explained:
"'I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but if not, they might go to hell, and I would go to Texas.' After losing by 252 votes, Crockett, true to his word, lit out on the Southwest Trail." (And he then spent three months WALKING to Texas with his rifle Betsy.)
--From SAM HOUSTON AND THE ALAMO AVENGERS: THE TEXAS VICTORY THAT CHANGED AMERICAN HISTORY, by Brian Kilmeade.
***
A MOST UNUSUAL FUNERAL IN MEXICO.
Following his humiliating loss at San Jacinto (or Lynch's Ferry), Santa Anna briefly withdrew from public life. Not only had he lost the war and lost Texas, but his men could not forget he ordered them to slaughter the Texian prisoners at the Alamo and at Goliad. Following the two massacres of unarmed men, one Mexican soldier wrote home, "any more victories like this one and we shall all go to straight to Hell." The bodies of the murdered prisoners were not buried, but burned in massive pyres.
Eventually Santa Anna went to war again fighting off a French invasion of Mexico at Vera Cruz. The "Butcher of the Alamo" performed nobly (i.e., he didn't lose) and was also valiantly injured. His leg had to be amputated. The injury restored some of the shine to the name of the disgraced former president. Soon his fame and regal bearing won the people over and he would be elected president of Mexico again ...
but not before they first held a STATE FUNERAL for the butcher's amputated leg.
--Based on passages in SAM HOUSTON AND THE ALAMO AVENGERS, by Brian Kilmeade.
September 5, 2021
Brian Kilmeade is an engaging storyteller. However he barely mentioned the role slavery played in the reasons Texians sought “liberty” from Mexican rule. I’d like to add that Simon was Austin’s SLAVE and not his”servant” like Mr. Kilmeade states. And although the author mentions Seguin, de Zavala, Navarro and other Tejanos who fought in the Texas Revolution, I really wish they were given little biographic paragraphs like the Anglos were.
For a more nuanced and complete version of events, I’d read another account of the Alamo.
For a more nuanced and complete version of events, I’d read another account of the Alamo.
Read
December 15, 2019Brian Kilmeade’s Sam Huston and the Alamo Avengers presents a thorough account of the pre-and post- Alamo events and personalities. Even if you know and enjoy historical writing, Kilmeade’s research will still inform you. He footnotes information so you can research areas which specifically interest you. Kilmeade also includes photos, maps, and paintings of people like Stephen F. Austin, Houston, and General Santa Ana.
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