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. ( )

Mr Kilmeade's fourth history book covers Sam Houston & his role in the battle for Texas Independence. The author begins with Spain's desperate ploy to lure immigrants to settle in a land between the Red River & the Rio Grande. But once Mexico's Independence is secured, trouble starts. With the ever changing Mexican governments in the south, immigration continued unabated until Santa Anna, the latest ruler of Mexico begins to make demands. Soon the Texans declare independence & the war commences. Kilmeade covers the battle for the Alamo to the battle of San Jacinto, from disaster to complete victory over Santa Anna's army. Very well researched & readable as well. ( )

One never wastes time when one learns new things. There are elements in this book that were news to me. Perhaps the greatest is that the whole of it covered such a short period of time. Of lesser note is the fact that the Texians took the Alamo from the Mexicans just a few months before the Mexicans took it back. That's the beauty of studying history: although the events are in the past, what history can teach us is dynamic. ( )

Author reads his own books--his excitement shows. Book is a pretty good discussion of Houston's life....it was a LOT more than just San Jacinto. The book easy to read and follow the characters. Gen...Santa Ana was also a major character--can't tell Texas history without him. Like Houston, his life goes up and it goes down. A cool read for those interested in Texas history and a small biography of those who participated in it's early days. The book cover looks like Parnell Roberts sat for the image....I was looking for others on California's Ponderosa set. ( )

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. ( )