Book Description
In 1966, college basketball was almost completely segregated. In the championship game for the NCAA title that year, Don Haskins, coach of the then little-known Texas Western College, did something that had never been done before in the history of college basketball. He started five black players and in the now legendary game, unseated the nationally top-ranked University of Kentucky. Broadcast on television throughout the country, the Miners victory became the impetus for the desegregation of all college teams in the South during the next few years. Now, for the first time, Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins tell his story. Beginning as a small-town high school basketball coach, Haskins was known for his tough coaching methods and larger-than-life personality. As a child growing up during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, he developed a strong set of values and discipline that he would instill in his players throughout his coaching career. With recollections from his former players, including those of the 1966 team, along with Haskinss own Seven Principles for Success, Glory Road is the inspiring story of a living legend and one of the most respected coaches of all time. With a foreword by basketball legend Bobby Knight, and coinciding with the release of the film Glory Road, the story of Don Haskins and his championship team is sure to become a classic for sports fans and historians.
Customer Reviews:
A few observations from someone who was there.......2007-06-10
Your current published reviews are enthusiastic but in some cases contain factual inaccuracies. The movie and the book are related in title and subject (Don Haskins); but that is about as far as it goes. The movie which focuses on 1966 is moving and concludes with a happy and factual ending - that is, that Texas Western won that game in 1966 --- but the movie not always true to the facts. Understandably I suppose when you try to compress a life story, even if only one year of a life, into a 2 hour or so movie. The book, from someone who played for Coach, reviewed and commented on the galley proof, and has represented Coach Haskins and the '66 team as a lawyer and a friend for 35 plus years, is "spot-on" and should be read by everyone who has ever had an interest in basketball.
As to the fortunes of 1966 team and the gentlemen representing that team so well, then and now, suffice it to say that the past 3 or 4 years have indeed been a trip down Glory Road: The team was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA this past April, only the 6th team to ever be so honored - and the first collegiate team --- with the enshrinement proceedings to be held on September 7 and 8, 2007 at the HOF facility. The team has also been honored with dinner and a movie at the White House with President and Mrs. Bush; the team will be inducted in the Boys Clubs of New York Hall of Fame in October of 2007, and some of the members volunteered to take an Armed Services Entertainment Tour to Germany, the Netherlands and England in February of 2007 to entertain our country's troops and their families. Also, Texas Western's victory on March 19, 1966 in College Park, Maryland over Hall of Fame Coach Adolph Rupp and his great Kentucky Wildcat team, that included Pat Riley, Louie Dampier and Larry Conley, among others, was selected by the National Collegiate Athletic Association ("NCAA") as one of 25 defining moments in the 100 year History of NCAA sports.
I could go on but I think this should at least clear up a few matters and hopefully whet the appetite of prospective readers and reviewers to pause and consider reading this book, viewing the movie. Coach Haskin's story is presented in an interesting manner, containing both Coach Haskin's well known skills as a pick-up riding around story teller and the literary skills of Dan Wetzel who spent hours upon hours riding, listening and recording those stories.
It is well written and factual to a fault; and points out what people can do when they put aside prejudices, rediculous stereoptypes (blacks had no discipline, couldn't be a point guard or quarterback) and circumstances and judge people by character and performance; not color and privilege. Every one of those (then but now not so) young men -- all are still alive except Bobby Joe Hill who passed away of a heart attack in 2002 --- that comprised the Texas Western Team in 1966 had talent and skill; more importantly they had character and heart and respect for each other and their coaches and that combination took them to over the top.
Enjoy this story and share it with others - because of their courage and accomplishments, and those of others in other aspects of the 60's civil rights movement, questions surrounding recruiting, playing, starting and honoring people of color in sports today seem strangely quaint, and beyond the imagination of most people born after the '60s. But it wasn't always so and for this all of society owes a debt of gratitude to Don Haskins, the members of his '66 team, the University of Texas at El Paso (formerly Texas Western College) and the citizens of El Paso for contributing to the environment in which we now find ourselves with respect to race relations in sports.
Kudos to a teammate!.......2007-04-05
I have the honor of being Don Haskins teammate at Oklahoma A & M, now Oklahoma State University and couldn't be prouder and happier for a very good film about a very historic Coach and athletic event. Please be advised that Don's whole 1966 team was just inducted into the new Collegiate Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Missouri. Buy it, you will like it...!
An Autobiography That Needs To Be Read.......2006-11-30
In one of those quirky moments in the book and movie industries, the autobiography of coach Don Haskins was already "in the pipeline" before the development of the picture.
The book and movie share the title - Glory Road - which is a name of a street on the UTEP campus to commemorate the championship basketball season.
The book obviously gives a more fuller picture of Haskins and does not solely focus on the monumental victory by Texas Western College (UTEP) over Kentucky in the 1966 NCAA Finals. There will be areas "filled-in" where the movie takes artistic license with some facts/scenes to push the plot along.
The years after the title run are especially interesting, since the basketball program somewhat faded from national view as the sport became a multi-billion-dollar industry.
It is a shame that history - especially when it comes to matters of race - oftentimes become blurry as the years lumber forward. Though Haskins has always downplayed his role in what was a defining moment on the court of race & athletics, he truly deserved the attention from the national platform that propelled the book to national bestseller status.
The lessons learned along that glory road are as important today as they were 40 years ago.
Glory Road.......2006-07-10
I had great service arrived just in time for fathers day and my father went to UTEP during the duration of the book so it made for a great fathers day present and the service from amazon was awsome thanks alot amazon.
AN AMAZING BOOK.......2006-06-08
Glory Road is a very expiring book. I like how it tells people how it was for African American people to play professional basketball and it helps understand teamwork.
I thought it was very cool how they told you what white people did to black people. One part of the book one of the black players goes to the bathroom and two white guys jump him and beat him up. Thats how rotten people can be to others just because of their skin color.
There is a lot of teamwork in this book also. At the end of the novel the coach tells the players only black people will be playing in the championship and the white guys cheer them on. The team had a rough time in the beginning because of the skin color but by the end they worked it out and won. That shows true teamwork.
Book Description
Buck Buchanan was the beloved equipment manager for the Dallas Cowboys for 25 years, during which time the Cowboys won four Super Bowls. Written with the consent and support of the Dallas Cowboys organization, Buchanan provides a unique behind-the-scenes look--from the logistics of moving equipment for away games, to the proclivities and needs of individual players. On the sidelines for every Cowboys game, he also describes how the coaches and players interacted during some of the team's most legendary moments.
Customer Reviews:
Jace and Honor-SPOILERS.......2005-04-20
Favorite scene with Honor-
Telling Buck the truth about who she really was.
Favorite scene with Jace-
Telling the sheriff about what was going on, and going to find the bad guy.
Together-
Telling Honor about what happened to his wife, and begging her to leave. She refuses.
What did you like about Honor-
Her stubborness (which got her into trouble). Her toughness. Standing up to Celeste and Buck. Loving Jace, despite his past.
What didn't you like about Honor-
There really wasn't anything I didn't like about Honor. But I did find her too stubborn for her own good sometimes.
What did you like about Jace-
Although I had to think about it at first, because it was too soon, his love for Honor. He was a hard man who didn't trust and was in pain, and yet, it didn't take him long to find love with Honor.
What didn't you like about Jace-
There wasn't really anything I didn't like about Jace. I just think that he should have told the ranch hands and Buck the truth about his past sooner.
If I had to cast Honor, I'd cast Tiffani Thiessen.
If I had to cast Jace, I'd cast Julian McMahon.
A CLIFFHANGER ENDING MAKES IT UNIQUE.......2005-01-16
I'VE ENJOYED PREVIOUS BARBIERI BOOKS AND WHILE THIS ONE ISN'T PACKED WITH TRAFFIC STOPPING SURPRISES IT DOES HAVE A SPECIAL TWIST TO IT THAT MAKES IT UNIQUE."TEXAS STAR" (THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS POST CIVIL WAR ERA TRILOGY) IS THE NAME OF THE HUGE SPREAD OWNED BY AGING, WOMANIZER BUCK STAR. WHEN HIS WIFE DIES AND HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER, BONNIE, IS KILLED, BUCK HAS A FALLING OUT WITH HIS 2 SONS, CAL AND TAYLOR. CAL LEAVES THE RANCH FOR PARTS UNKNOWN AND TAYLOR IS PUT IN A BOARDING SCHOOL BACK EAST BY HIS CONNIVING STEPMOTHER.IN "TEXAS STAR" CAL GETS A CRYPTIC NOTE: "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN BONNIE? IT'S TIME TO GO HOME." AND HE DOES ALTHOUGH HIS DAD HAS DISOWNED HIM. THIS 2ND BOOK, "TEXAS GLORY" VEERS OFF A BIT. BUCK'S ILLEGITIMATE DAUGHTER, HONOR, HEADS TO THE TEXAS STAR LOOKING FOR VENGEANCE AGAINST THE FATHER WHO DOESN'T KNOW OR CARE THAT SHE EXISTS. HONOR CAN LOOK OUT FOR HERSELF AND DOESN'T SUFFER FOOLS GLADLY, MUCH LIKE HER FATHER. SHE'S AS GOOD WITH A GUN AS SHE IS IN A KITCHEN! UNFORTUNATELY, HER PLAN STALLS WHEN SHE SEES THIS ILL AND FRAIL MAN UNDER THE EVIL THUMB OF HIS YOUNG CONNIVING WIFE. EVEN WITH ALL THE PAIN HER PAST HAS PUT HER THROUGH, THE TOUGH GAL WITH THE SOFT HEART CAN'T CARRY OUT HER PLAN. COINCIDENTALLY THE ONCE LUCRATIVE TEXAS STAR RANCH IS STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. (BUCK'S WIFE AND HER VOODOO NANNY FROM NEW O'LEANS ARE POISONING BUCK AND SABOTAGING HIS RANCH.) ENTER THE NEW COWHAND, JACE WHO IS ALSO TORMENTED BY HIS PAST BUT IS INSTINCTIVELY DRAWN TO PROTECT HONOR. BUT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO KILL JACE AND HONOR'S RIGHT IN THEIR PATH! THE PLOTS ARE SEPARATE BUT BARBIERI GETS THEM TO INTERTWINE NICELY. IT IS AN EASY READ AND YOU KEEP HOPING THAT BUCK, DESPITE HIS LESS THAN ADMIRABLE PAST, WILL FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY REAL AND THE DIALOGUE IS NATURAL AND WITTY. HONOR AND JACE OVERCOME THEIR PASTS TO FALL IN LOVE, AND THE BAD GUYS WHO ARE AFTER JACE GET CAUGHT BUT THE STORY ENDS WITH LOTS OF LOOSE ENDS!! WHERE IS THE SECOND SON, TAYLOR? WILL BUCK FIND OUT ABOUT HIS WIFE'S ATTEMPTS TO POISON HIM AND INHERIT HIS RANCH? WILL CAL AND HONOR BE ACCEPTED AS BUCK'S CHILDREN? AND WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR BONNIE'S DEATH? I USUALLY DON'T READ THE 'TEASERS' ABOUT THE NEXT BOOK, BUT HAD TO WITH THIS ONE. IT SEEMS THAT MISSING SON TAYLOR, A PINKERTON AGENT, GETS A WIRE THAT SAYS : "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN BONNIE? IT'S TIME TO GO HOME?"....
enjoyable historical romance .......2004-09-08
In 1869 with the death of her beloved mother, Honor Gannon decides it is time to confront her biological womanizing father for ruining her mom and ignoring her. She travels to Logan, Texas where instead of finding a virile aging Lotharios, she meets an ailing Buck and his wife.
Even worse than her sympathy towards her dad, Honor is attracted to his new hand Jace Rule. As she obtains work at the Texas Star, she vows not to allow passion or love to cause her the heartache that her mother suffered through when Buck chose to stay with his spouse. However, Jace is quite persistent that Honor will be his.
The middle book in the Texas Star trilogy is an enjoyable historical romance starring two magnificent lead protagonists and a fine support cast starting with the ailing Buck. The story line is fun to follow as Jace has his work cut out for him to persuade his beloved that his intentions are honorable as she fears being a chip off the old block. Though less dark and with no major conflict unlike the first tale, TEXAS STAR, Elaine Barbieri provides a solid story built around whether Honor will stay or not with Jace.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
When a beautiful woman admits a stranger into her London boarding house, she cannot help being irresistibly attracted to him. He is the handsomest man she has ever seen--and so badly wounded he cannot remember his own name. But in his possession is an ancient stone seal that matches one owned by her father. Now in a search that leads to a legendary diamond, and a secret involving Queen Victoria herself, she discovers his true identity, and suddenly, the two are hurtling toward an explosive clash of destinies...and a passionate joining of two desperately yearning hearts....
* Each of Lorraine Heath's novels has received two or more nominations by romance reviewers for top romance awards!
* Compares to bestselling author LaVryle Spencer
* Texas Destiny has been sold to the Doubleday Book Club
* Set in Texas in the 1880's
Customer Reviews:
Lorraine is the Best!!!.......2007-06-15
If you haven't read one of her books, you are definitely missing out!!! I promise you won't be disappointed!
As one of my favorite authors and I buy anything with her name on it!!!
Compelling characters and wonderful, heart-touching stories are always a given with Lorraine!
Another great book in this series..........2006-02-09
I absolutely loved the first book in this series & although I really liked this book as well it just didn't measure up to the first. I will admit that this book made me cry probably more then I've cried in any other book I've read. It was very intense & interesting but I'm just kind of bored of the story lines where the couple is constantly at odds because neither one of them confess their love until the end of the book. Both love the other & both think that the other doesn't feel the same so they hold back their feelings & it causes many problems throughout the story. Then at the end they both confess their love only to learn that they've both loved each other the whole time.
Overall though the book was very good & this series is awesome so far. I highly recommend this series.
#1 Texas Destiny
#2 Texas Glory
#3 Texas Splendor
Good characters, writing suffers............2004-05-03
It's a pity Lorraine Heath is not a better writer because she creates appealing characters whom you come to care about even while you flinch at her awkward writing, trite situations and predictable denouements. She also glaringly ignores and omits information most readers expect--and like to see--in an historical romance. For instance, the main character--Dallas Leigh-- has a huge house but no mention is made in this book or the first one of who takes care of it while he's out "checking on the herd." He does have a cook but no mention is made of a houseboy. A bride coming into that kind of house in West Texas would need to be concerned at least about dust, instead of staying in her room all day! But this kind of realism is not important to Heath or her story so she leaves it out, focusing instead on the romantic relationship of her characters. She should take a note from Lyvyrle Spencer's ability to blend great characters, a well-researched background, and enough realistic detail to make the story and the characters more intriguing. Heath also has a regrettable habit of using certain words and phrases that begin to grate after awhile. No character is ever said to merely close his eyes; instead he/she always "slams" them shut. She also continually uses "within" where she should use "in," and she is apparently unclear on the connotation the verb "stroll" imparts. Her characters "stroll" when they should simply "walk." I suspect a Thesaurus at work here. It's an editor's job to catch this kind of amateurism, of course, so perhaps Heath is not totally to blame. And it's not as if she's alone; at least one notable best-selling author has made a fortune telling good stories with bad writing.
Heath does better creating characters, although she has some problems with Cordelia, especially at the beginning. It's clear that Heath loves the Leigh brothers and has struggled to make them real; she succeeds in that the reader does come to care about them and their happiness. I would not have bought Texas Destiny or Texas Glory had I sampled the writing first; however, now that I have, I find I must finish the Leigh sibling series by reading Austin's story, as well. Let's hope the writing is better the third time out. As a fellow Texan and a fellow writer, I wish Heath luck and a good editor!
Fabulous!.......2003-08-22
After reading "Texas Destiny" there was absolutely NO DOUBT in my mind that I had to finish the series. "Texas Glory" did not disappoint. I have to admit that Dallas wasnt my fave after meeting him in the first book, but wow! This was fantastic. I thought that he and Dee were great together..what a 2 hanky read! Whew! My only complaint with this book is that I felt like Dallas and Dee needed to work on communicating a little bit better..so much heartache could have been avoided if only they would have opened up a bit more to eachother. Other than that..perfect.
A well written Texas romance story!.......2003-05-20
This story caught me a bit by surprise. I pulled it off my shelf expecting a quick read about light hearted subjects. What I got was a well written romance story (the 2nd in a trilogy) about a number of subjects. There are children of abuse, prejudice and general meanness as well as very well developed characters who also know how to love and not belittle their mates. I wound up immediately looking for the next book in this series. I will also go back and read the first one also.
Dee McQueen in one of the few women of marriageable age in this part of Texas, and to much surprise she agrees to marry, sight unseen Dallas Leigh. In fact she has barely ever been out of her families house which leads to quite a few revelations. Dallas thinks all that he now needs to make himself complete is to a son and will do just about anything to get one.
Average customer rating:
- Mythmaking at its Finest
- A good read,.... but
- Entertaining, Absorbing
- The Truth of Myth
- "No rendirse, muchachos"
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13 Days to Glory: The Siege of the Alamo (Southwest Landmark, No. 2)
Lon Tinkle
Manufacturer: Texas A&M University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Old West | 19th Century | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Texas | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0890967075 |
Customer Reviews:
Mythmaking at its Finest.......2004-10-31
No more mythic a story exists in the history of North America than the siege of the Alamo in 1836. Virtually all Americans, unless they have been living under a rock their entire lives, have been exposed to the myth. In it, a band of less than 200 brave and intrepid men stood fast against insurmountable tyranny and sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. A trio of great leaders--William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett--presided over an American Thermopylae. They fought to the last defender, and while they died at the Alamo they held out long enough for General Sam Houston to build the army of the Texas Revolution. In the process a horrendous military disaster was turned, abracadabra, into a political and cultural victory. And many Hispanic freedom fighters such as Juan N. Seguin--first mayor of San Antonio--took their stand as legendary defenders of liberty inside the walls of the Alamo against Mexican strongman Santa Anna alongside their famous comrades. Accordingly, the heroic myth extends beyond the Anglo-American settlers to others in Texas.
This is the mythic story told in Lon Tinkle's masterful recounting, "13 Days to Glory." He recites this master narrative very well. It reads like a novel--and in some ways it is fictional--never failing to engage the reader. In it one learns all of the major elements of the myth:
1. A small group of Texans stand up to Santa Anna's numerous and armed Mexican army. Far from a senseless confrontation with the Mexicans, the defense of the Alamo becomes a delaying tactic making possible the later success of the Texas Revolution.
2. Determined to stall Santa Anna's march to the north the Texans agree to stand and fight to the last man. In a dramatic event, Travis forms up his troops, draws a line in the sand, and asks those who will stand and fight to cross it. All do so except for Frenchman Louis Moses Rose--a veteran of Napoleonic Wars--who leaves the Alamo and is the only source for the "line in the sand" incident.
3. They experience a siege lasting thirteen days and then a final assault comes on March 6, 1836. All 187 defenders of the Alamo died in the final assault, heroically in this master narrative. Mexican casualties range from a low of about 70 killed as reported by Santa Anna (which no one believes) to somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 Mexicans killed. Capture of the Alamo exacted, therefore, an enormous price for Santa Anna.
4. A few weeks later, time gained by the defense of the Alamo, Sam Houston's army surprised Santa Anna at Goliad and scored a great military victory. In the process Texas achieved its independence from Mexico.
If this sounds familiar it is because it is the still widely accepted story of the Alamo. It is ensconced in the interpretation offered at the historic site in San Antonio. It is still the basic account taught to schoolchildren in Texas, and in most other high school history courses. It is the story depicted in many books and in most of the films made about the siege, especially Fess Parker's "Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier" (1955) and John Wayne's "The Alamo" (1960).
Lon Tinkle's "13 Days to Glory" is a valuable statement of the myth. It is important to recognize that this myth is not so much falsehood--as many people seem to believe--as it is a story about our past that points up the highest ideals of the society. As James Oliver Robertson observes in "American Myth, American Reality" (Hill & Wang, 1980), "Myths are the patterns of behavior, or belief, and/or perception-which people have in common. Myths are not deliberately, or necessarily consciously, fictitious" (p. xv). The story of the Alamo depicted here and in other mythic treatments, is a kind of poetry, about events and situations that have great significance both for those involved and those that follow. Myths are, in fact, essential truths for the members of a cultural group who hold them, enact them, or perceive them. They are sometimes expressed in diffuse ideologies, but in literate societies like the United States they are also embedded in historical narratives such as Lon Tinkle's.
What does the myth of the Alamo say about the culture that has embraced it? Everyone will have individual answers to that question, but let me offer a couple of suggestions. First, the ideology of freedom and democracy as manifested in the United States is heavily wrapped up in it. The idea of American exceptionalism, that American institutions and beliefs are penultimate in human history, finds representation there as well. In addition, the concept of personal sacrifice for a larger, presumably positive goal finds its place in the story. The coming together of a diverse group of people, some of whom intensely disliked each other, for a significant purpose also makes its way into the narrative. Finally, the demonization of "the other," in this case the dictator Santa Anna and his tyranny sets up the defenders of the Alamo as persecuted innocents.
How far to carry these discussions of myth is everyone's prerogative. For fuller explications of the mythic aspects of the story, as well as excellent narratives, I would recommend these four books:
James E. Crisp, "Sleuthing The Alamo: Davy Crockett's Last Stand And Other Mysteries of the Texas Revolution" (Oxford University Press, 2004).
William C. Davis, "Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis" (Perennial, 1999).
Stephen L. Hardin, "Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836" (University of Texas Press, 1996).
Jeff Long, "Duel of Eagles: The Mexican and U.S. Fight for the Alamo" (William Morrow, 1990).
"13 Days to Glory" is not the "state of the art" in the history of the siege of the Alamo, but it is a very good place to start in any exploration of the mythology of the event.
A good read,.... but.......2004-03-16
Tinkle's book was originally written in 1958. Not surprisingly, it closely mirrors what I learned as a student in the 1960's in Coach Woldt's Texas History classes. The trouble is, neither one turned out to be very accurate. Sorry, Coach. I don't have any way of knowing, but the way it reads and the information it provides the reader make it quite possible that Tinkle's work may have been used as the primary reference in Texas public school history books on lesson plans pertaining to the Alamo.
I shy away from writing harsh book reviews, and will say the book is an enjoyable read and gives good basic information about the account, however; the book does contain a considerable amount of unsubstantiated myths and legends.
Tinkle takes a good deal of liberty with things, such as this note in the Appendix:
Page 1. The placing of Daniel Cloud in the bell tower is the author's single assumption in this book as to the position of any character at any specific time.
The knowledgeable reader will find Tinkle made many such "assumptions" throughout the book.
The release of yet another Hollywood account of the Alamo will likely spawn renewed interest on the events there. If you are such a reader, looking to learn more of the history of the Alamo, there are numerous more accurate sources, such as my favorite on the subject, Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution by Stephan Hardin, Sullivan's Fall of the Alamo, or A Time to Stand by Walter Lord.
Entertaining, Absorbing.......2000-09-16
This is an entertaining, absorbing tale of the Alamo--it is written like a novel. It provides a good rendition of the traditional story--one where valiant, noble Texans fight evil Mexicans. This book is not one to read to get a balanced, in-depth account. For that, read Jeff Long's Duel of Eagles. Read this one for entertainment and to appreciate why the Alamo has stood the test of time as a symbol of the American fighting spirit.
The Truth of Myth.......2000-03-19
Dr. Tinkle's account of the Battle of the Alamo has, in some ways, been a life-forming book. It was in these pages (as a child in the early 1960s) that the heroic/epic myth of the Alamo became realized to me. What culture (native Celt-German-Texan) had begun in me, and what Disney and the Duke has fueled, became a way of life after reading Tinkle's account of the events now carved in stone in our national conscious. Col. Wm. Barrett Travis' mythical drawing of the line in the courtyard (whether true or not, true myth becomes myth made true) became a model for life. The pattern has been repeated dozen's of times: find a worthy cause, draw a line, get massacred. I owe it all to this book. Get a copy if you can.
While the recent Texian Illiad by Stephen Hardin, and Stephen Harrigan's The Gates of the Alamo are both good reads (Gates of the Alamo sits on my nightstand, waiting its turn) that do much to shed both historical light on the battle, and dispel popular revisionist histories (the probably forged De la Pena's Diaries being the worst), Thirteen Days to Glory remains my sentimental favorite, the stuff that myths are made of, and fed by.
"No rendirse, muchachos".......2000-01-24
While profound, Travis's words: "Don't surrender, boys" (spoken in Spanish) - tell only part of this story of the Siege of the Alamo. But because of the circumstances surrounding the battle (no Texan Survivors) there is no way to ever truly know all of the events surrounding those final days. Yes this is not the only book on the subject that one should read if you want a well-rounded impartial view of these events. Regardless it makes for good reading and I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Texas revolt and it's ramifications. Many still affecting us to this day.
Average customer rating:
- One of the best breakfast cookbooks I've found
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Texas Morning Glory
Manufacturer: Great Texas Line
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1892588072 |
Book Description
Memorable breakfast recipes selected from top bed and breakfast inns around the Lone Star state:
Texas breakfast tamales, pecan-crusted bacon, blintz souffle, sweet potato pancakes, morning glory muffins, cranberry & white chocolate biscotti, poblano grits, pan-fried pork with peaches, peach & blueberry cobbler, and scores of other delectable dishes.
B&Bs in Jefferson, Frerdericksburg, Austin, Fort Worth, Tyler, Brenham, the South Plains, LaGrange and elsewhere contributed. Included are descriptions of the inns with contact information.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best breakfast cookbooks I've found.......2007-08-02
There are few great breakfast cookbooks, and none this handy and inexpensive. Texas inn owners share their secrets with easy-to-follow breakfast, brunch and snack recipes.
Average customer rating:
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Slam Dunk to Glory
David Lattin
Manufacturer: White Stone Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Texas | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1593791178
Release Date: 2007-03-15 |
Product Description
Great things can happen when you dare to seize your dream! It was the college basketball game that changed everything. When five young black athletes from Texas Western took the court and defeated an all-white squad from Kentucky for the 1966 NCAA championship, the doors of opportunity were immediately knocked down allowing greater racial equality in college sports to become the norm. David Big Daddy D Lattin was one of the driving forces in that game from the opening tip right down to his earth-shattering, establishment-shaking dunks. Slam Dunk to Glory is Lattin s personal account of the magical season that was recently portrayed in the major motion picture Glory Road. With an honest and transparent writing style, Lattin takes sports fans back in time to an era of civil unrest and societal turmoil. While some of the country s darker moments are exposed, Slam Dunk to Glory is ultimately about achieving greatness despite overwhelming odds. This engaging autobiography also includes a 31-page center section of photos from the 1966 season and other key parts of Lattin s life. For sports fans and history buffs alike, Slam Dunk to Glory offers a challenging yet inspirational look at the evolution of race in the United States. Destined to become an instant classic, this title will likely earn its way into the essential sports library.
Book Description
As newlyweds in 1853, Daniel and Mary Anna Thornton dream of carving out an empire on the Texas frontier. The young couple is unprepared for just how much the dream will cost in this harsh land. Where will Daniel and Mary Anna find the strength to raise a family and make a home? Love and faith are their only wealth, but even that will have to be defended. And when their grandson Tom seeks to make his own mark on Texas in 1925, what will remain of the family legacy for him to build upon?
Customer Reviews:
adventure enough...but SLOPPY editing.......2006-08-28
Let me first say that this is the first thing of Linda Herring's I have read. I do, however read lots of this inspirational romance, historical fiction type stuff, and often these four-in-ones.
Most of the time they are action packed enough to be entertaining, and worth finishing. This book falls along that line, and I enjoyed it as mid-19th cent/post civil war/ westward expansion type stuff is my favorite 'sub-genre', so to speak.
I do not even mind some of the unrealistic circumstances; that is what makes them 'romantic'.
One thing I cannot stand, though is sloppy editing, whether on the part of the writer, editor, or both. This one is ridiculous over the top with such mistakes. So much so, that a time or two I found myself confused about earlier pages.
Dates don't always add up, Christmas comes more that once a year, pregnancy lasts six months, memories are recalled with the wrong people in them, and believe it or not... a reference is made to a male dog having pups.
It gets the three stars since I did actually finish the read.
Good family story otherwise.
Average customer rating:
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Simon Bolivar's Quest for Glory (Texas A&M University Military History Series, 86.)
Richard W. Slatta , and
Jane Lucas De Grummond
Manufacturer: Texas A&M University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Military | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | 19th Century | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | South America | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
General | World | History | Subjects | Books
Imperialism & Independence | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1585442399 |
Customer Reviews:
Good synopsis.......2005-03-01
This book is largely fact based description of Simon Bolivar's military and political exploits. While the authors' writing style is a bit disjointed at times, they reveal few biases in their writings. They obviously respect Bolivar's strengths but don't ignore his flaws and their occasional dry wit is a welcome addition. A small minus are the maps, they tended not be very detailed, so the reader is left wondering the location of some events. However, that isn't enough to drop the evaluation.
The story itself seems to be well-researched. It has one flaw that plagues many military histories, perhaps by necessity, of focusing too much on the exploits of the generals rather than the troops who do the fighting. On the whole, this book certainly leaves the reader with a good overall description of the life of Simon Bolivar and the era in which he lived.
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