Sleuthing the Alamo: Davy Crockett's Last Stand and Other Mysteries of the Texas Revolution

by James E. Crisp

In Sleuthing the Alamo , historian James E. Crisp draws back the curtain on years of mythmaking to reveal some surprising truths about the Texas Revolution--truths often obscured by both racism and "political correctness," as history has been hijacked by combatants in the culture wars of the past two centuries.
Beginning with a very personal prologue recalling both the pride and the prejudices that he encountered in the Texas of his youth, Crisp traces his path to the discovery of documents distorted, censored, and ignored--documents which reveal long-silenced voices from the Texan past. In each of four chapters focusing on specific documentary "finds," Crisp uncovers the clues that led to these archival discoveries. Along the way, the cast of characters expands to a prominent historian who tried to walk away from his first book; an unlikely teenaged "speechwriter" for General Sam Houston; three eyewitnesses to the death of Davy Crockett at the Alamo; a desperate inmate of Mexico City's Inquisition Prison, whose scribbled memoir of the war in Texas is now listed in the Guiness Book of World Records ; and the stealthy slasher of the most famous historical painting in Texas. In his afterword, Crisp explores the evidence behind the mythic "Yellow Rose of Texas" and examines some
of the powerful forces at work in silencing the very voices from the past that we most need to hear today.
Here then is an engaging first-person account of historical detective work, illuminating the methods of the serious historian--and the motives of those who prefer glorious myth to unflattering truth.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Read For School

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2004

Reviews

[lisa jahnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a small book, but it is powerful in the way it handles the myths of Texas history. There are so many misconceptions about what actually happened at the Alamo and James Crisp does a wonderful job exploring these thoughts and showing which ones are possible. I enjoyed the fact that he brought in de la Pena's diary as a way to show what might have actually happened. It also does a great job of helping clear the air about Houston's famous speech and help show that Sam Houston was not a racist. It is an increadible read and a very quick read that can be done over an afternoon.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether or not one is interested in Davy Crockett or the Texas Revolution, this little book is a fantastic look at the process of what it looks like to do really solid research and interpretation in the field of history. James Crisp (who was one of my thesis advisers at NC State) writes an engaging tale of his own detective work in uncovering and re-interpreting lost and misunderstood sources about what really happened at the Alamo.

[Ross Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many public school children in Texas, I had to take a Texas history class at some time.
7th grade.
Originally, I was part of Mrs. W____'s 7th period history. But within days of this, I had my schedule switched - and I found myself in 1st period Texas History with Band teacher Mr S. The switch in class peers was something else - I went from decent students to ...well, this would be the start of many of what I call "misfit" classes. Ones where the peers are a hodge-podge. In my particular class, there were two or three students who were smart, and few that were decent, and one that, rumor had it, drove himself to school every day. In 7th grade. (He always had a pack of cigs in his leather coat pocket).
Now, I had a smattering of education on Texas history - mostly independent learning from reading more than a few Davy Crockett and Sam Houston biographies for kids. (I was a HUGE Davy Crockett fan. And Harry Houdini). But, other than having to build a fort in 3rd grade (Thank you, Lincoln Logs. Only project in the whole grade that was 100% Dad;s help free. And one that was built in front of my teachers).
But the class was easy at first - This is Texas. IT is big. Here are the rivers. The major cities...
At the end of the first 6 weeks, I had a surprise - I got a perfect grade. 100% Mr S even sent a note home to my parents, saying in all the years he had been teaching, I was the first to get a perfect grade for the 6 weeks.
During the Open House, Mr S told Mom "Ross is the first student who absorbs this faster than I can teach it. I use his paper as a key, and I know he is getting it, because he helps other students learn too".
Mom: "Well, he didnt get it from me, being from Canada"

Later on that year, I got a surprise - I was picked to be part of the Texas History team. I was one of a few students who were picked who weren't part of the the Talent and Gifted / Honors class. Mr. S was escalated about it - HIS student was part of this team. He sent me home with a Note to my parents, praising my hard work and the honor that it was to be part of this. "I hope that Ross is as proud of this as I am".
Problem was - I was in the Misfit class. Which meant I got NO notices of team meetings or practices or anything else. Mrs S_____n, the team's sponsor, got very upset by this. "If you cant take this serious, I will remove you from this team"
"Mrs S_____N - I dont know when practice is. No one tells me"
"I tell people to tell you. Not their fault you can make it"
(I would learn, later, no one wanted to tell me. I was a "challenge" to them, in their eyes. Someone who, through hard work and tutoring and skills training, went from the lowest of the low to being as smart- or smarter- than many of them).

Well, one weekend, in the Spring, we all loaded up in a bus one saturday morning and drove 90 minutes to Denton, to take part of in the state wide Texas History contest. It was a 2 part test - morning was multiple choice and afternoon was essay. The drive there was memorable - no one on my team wanted to sit or quiz me, so I sat with my friends in the 8th grade American History team And I read my book - one my parents gave me for Easter a few weeks before- which was a Quiz on Texas history and geography.
Now, the tests were easy - questions I knew like the back of my hand. And the essays werent hard either - I basically stated the stuff Mr. S had talked about in class.

That afternoon, all over us were then taken to a massive auditorium, for the awards. We were seated by school and by team - which meant I had to sit beside people who didnt like me, but in front of one of my best friends in 8th grade. And then they started to announce the names of the winner and honorable mention.
"Nicholas Junior High. Philip M_____"
{no surprise there - in the top 2 smartest kids in the grade}
"Chad S____"
{3rd smartest kid}
"Joseph T____"
{Smartest kid in the class}
"Ross Vincent"
{Wait- what?!?! hold on.... that's me!!!}

Out of a team of 30 students, 4 of us were picked as Honorable Mentions. And I was one of the 4. This threw me.. as well as many of the people on the team. {As I got up to accept my certificate, a couple of my "peers" said "Cheater". #HatersGottaHate}
As I sat down, I was higher than the highest of Texas derricks. I was in the group of the SMARTEST KIDS IN MY GRADE!!

When I got on the bus, I had to pass Mrs S_____n. She had a look of shock and confusion. "Well, congratulations, Ross. Good job"
"Thanks. Not bad for the kid who didnt know about practice and you wanted to throw off the team" #INYOURFACE
As the bus pulled into the parking lot of our school, to drop us off, there was Mom and Mr S____, talking. He said he was there to "organize the band room". Nope, he was there to welcome HIS Texas History Team student back. Except now, he had an HONORABLE MENTIONED TEXAS HISTORY STUDENT in his class. I talked about the test - 'It was everything you taught in class" - and the essay - "Gold, God, and Land. That is what easiest to remember. Like you said in class". And Mom was "Who else won?" and was shocked to learn who the other 3 were. We ended up calling my grandparents in Canada that night (something we never did on a Saturday) and I told them about the test and winning and everything.
Grandmother: "So all that singing about Davy Crockett helped?"
Me: "Well, I was told stop humming it during the test"

When Monday rolled around, they announced my name, with the others, over the loudspeaker for the school, about going and bringing back honorable mention. Abd Mr. S____ spend the rest of the day sending me letters of congrats / way to go / good things are happening in NJH notes during every one of my class periods. (Little praise goes a long way - especially with all the other teachers).
--------------------
"Ross - why are you sharing this?"
Well, I figure since this book is less about the HISTORY of the Alamo and Texas Revolution and more an essay collection that starts with the author's earliest days of learning about Texas history and then talks about his academic research and papers over the years, why not start my review with the same.


Now, every year for the past 7 years, during the period between the start of the Siege of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, I spend it reading a book about Texas history. Sometimes, it is about the battle of the Alamo; sometimes, it is a biography of one of the founding fathers of the Texas Revolution. This year, it was this book. Ironically,I almost didnt read this book - picked it up, to sent to my cousin in Montreal, who has taken an interest in Texas. However, while skimming it, I saw notes and highlighted sections. Yeah, keeping it here. I will read it instead.
I made the right and wrong decision.
This isnt a book about the History of the Texas Revolution. It is a college level "additional readings" you would find on a syllabus and which would cost $35 to buy and read for a class where maybe ONE question Might find its way on the final from this book. (I'm glad I paid $1 for mine. #ClearanceBooks).
I did learn some things - some academic/ scholar studies about the Alamo battle (did Crockett Surrender? Was Houston a Racist? Was Santa Anna a dick?) But mostly, it was stuff I already had read in other books over the years.

Would I recommend it? Well, if you were taking Texas History in college.
But honestly, there are some better books for the casual reader looking to learn more about Texas and the war for independence.

[vittoria ascione · Rating 3 out of 5]

the things i read for college 😔

[Bathed In Sin · Rating 3 out of 5]

mandatory for school, had to read over the course of two days.. his language and vocabulary are quite extensive and its easy to get lost in what he's trying to say, as opposed to being able to figure out simply what he is trying to say. Confusing and the time leaps are way confusing. The forward is so strange and doesnt tie into much until the very end... His points are often convoluted and somewhat confusing as well

[KaleAllerion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don’t like history as a subject, but I don’t think this is a horrible book. I was required to read it for school, and a history class at that, but at least it was an interesting read. Now all I have to do is write a 1000 word paper about it. Joy.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the beginner, but an honest view of how history can be distorted by the viewer. This is a magnificent book on doing honest research.

[Brian Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting explication of the role of the historian in the creation of history as well as a compelling reconstruction of certain details of the mythical accounts of the Texas Revolution.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

History and detective novel all in one. Believe it or not I couldn't put this down.

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

That Sleuthing the Alamo has no index is a tip-off that this volume is not the sort of academic book usually published by Oxford University Press.

Crisp does two things well here: 1. he carefully unravels the earlier bowdlerizing, mistranslation, and general mishandling of a German memoir of the Texas Revolution by one Herman Ehrenberg, a retelling that puts anti-Mexican sentiments into the mouth of Sam Houston, and 2. he defends the authenticity of a diary of a Mexican soldier, Jose Enrique de la Peña, which (among other merited swipes at Santa Anna) asserts that the general ordered Davy Crockett’s murder after the latter was taken prisoner following the fall of the Alamo.

Around these two themes are wrapped the author’s musings about his Texas childhood and the racism once de rigueur in Texas elementary schools, as well as speculations about the Yellow Rose of Texas and overly solemn assessments of silly missives Crisp and his predecessors received from amateur defenders of the received wisdom about the Texas Revolution.

If you’re a Texas Revolution buff and already have a command of its controversies and primary sources, this is an important book. If you have limited interest in Sam Houston’s views of Mexicans or in how Davy Crockett died, then you’ll probably find Sleuthing the Alamo of marginal interest.

It’s a poor historian whose juices don’t flow when he’s on the hunt for documentary shenanigans. But it takes an unusual one to make a coherent narrative out of the search.

[Peter McGinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is apparently just one more entry in an ongoing literary feud to decide whether to believe Mexican accounts of what happened at the Alamo or to stick with the revisionist, rifle swinging to the end Davy Crockett Disney version. I don’t say that cynically. History is written by the victors and it would be singularly unusual for the winners, theTexans in this cares, not to change the details of the story to make themselves look better, create legends, or whatever.

So I wouldn’t dream of weighing in on the controversy here but rather will keep my opinion to myself. In order to support his own interpretation of the events, James Crisp trots out layer upon layer of supporting documentation and analysis of the same. He rummages down in the reeds to do this, and I confess that, not having a horse in the race, so to speak, I found myself skimming in some sections where letters or journals were deconstructed at painstaking lengths.

Only my lifelong interest in the Alamo kept me in the game until the end, so if you aren’t a student of this part of history, you may want to give it a miss. It is sort of like the discussions over the decades of whether George Mallory beat Edmund Hilary to the summit of Mt. Everest: without video or photographic evidence, the controversy can never truly be settled, so we are left with the winners’ version of history.

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In preparation for my trip to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, I took a chance on gaining some background knowledge on Crisp’s “Sleuthing the Alamo…” Surprisingly, this history book did not disappoint. Through incredible detective work and cooperation from fellow historians and editors, Crisp manages to shed light on individuals whose narrative accounts were silenced due to various circumstantial instances. His determination to uncover the truth of what occurred is evident through his analytical efforts. From de la Peña’s diary to the story of Sally West and the Yellow Rose, Crisp successfully uncovers the real story behind the myths and legends that have plagued the Alamo since it’s defeat. This was a fantastic and enlightening read!

[Kevin Prewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and researched, Professor Crisp reaches conclusions on the death of Crockett that some will find controversial. I find Crockett died a valiant death whether he went down fighting or was executed.
I believe the author sees what he wants in art, racists Anglos. I would have enjoyed the book much more if he didn’t find a racist everywhere he looks.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Myths, their busting, and the research that went it to it all was nothing short of marvelous. But it wasn't just about the myths, Crisp took it further to consider what the myths meant to people then, now, and in between. He also explored the emotional connections and silences that are so common when discussing history today. Great read, great thoughts, and so interesting!

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story great research

Interesting and thought provoking analysis of history. What else have we gotten wrong due to deep seated biases in our society of which we are not even aware? I am very impressed by James crisp’s diligence and high standards fir detail. Davy Crockett was captured and executed. He did not die fighting. Similarities to Custer in paintings is unreal.

[Sam Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and comprehensive take on Texas history. Does an excellent job tying in historic events and themes with those of the present, as well as in examining historiography and historical memory. Unique perspective and personal angle through which it is written provides an entertaining and fast-paced narrative.

[viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if you're looking for a book that gives a good description of the research and behind the scenes of investigations in history. It can trail off a lot and be a slow read for such a small book.

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book for a history class in college. I enjoyed reading about the myths surrounding both the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. I loved that it was very informative. I thought the book was well written. It is a must read.

[sheila]

This was required reading for my history class. The assignment was to write a book review. I was dreading to read the book, but Crisp made the topics very enjoyable. I learned a lot of new facts. I’ve always thought Texas history was boring, but this book made it very fun and insightful!

[Polly Callahan]

Recommended by Heather Cox Richardson

[FRANK GALLO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting history

Good book if you like the history of the alamo
I didn’t know any of the facts he stated. I only knew the movie version with Fess Parker

[Christine Eskilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent example of history, who makes it and why, and who gets left out, viewed through the lens of Davy Crockett and the Alamo.

[James Bechtel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[jazlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

actually quite interesting and got a 100 on the quiz!!! 🕺🏽🫶🏼

[Justin Krudop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little book. What this book demonstrates is that both American and Texas history has a fantasy problem based in inaccurate mythology. Specifically, Texas history has/had a history of poor translation and not fully citing sources in academic history.

One of the primary subjects for debate is how did David (Davy) Crockett die? It seems that a culmination of both Disney and John Wayne have forever soured the punch here. It has been proven throughout the historical record that Crockett is/was not the musket swinging bragadocio that he was depicted as in popular media in the 1950's and 1960's, but these images are what we use to develop our understanding of the man and the myth.

This book provides an in-depth look at the sources used for the Davy Crockett death myth, Sam Houston's perspective on race and leadership in the early Texan army, and Santa Anna's tenure in Texas. The book is small, short and easy to ready. I definitely recommend for anyone interested in Texas History.

[Doris Herrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sat down to read this book thinking it might be a nice book to add to my class library. The book itself is engaging as Crisp looks at the myth versus the reality placed around the Battle of the Alamo.

This is a good book for anyone studying Texas History who might be looking for historically accurate text as opposed to the glorified version of what is often seen in movies.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisp was one of my profs in grad school, and someone I continue to keep in touch with. It's a great Texas myth-busting book, along with a good exploration of how historians do their work. However, it is a bit slow in places--but then Crisp is quite the talker in real life too!

[Caroline Frye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish it wasn't as opinionated and described more of the actual fighting of the Alamo and not so much Crisp trying to research.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A penetrating look inside historians and their craft.

[Gracie]

I had to read this for APUSH and it made me want to cry.