Massacre at Goliad [Large Print]

As always Elmer Kelton's history is spot on. He uses the Buckalew brothers to tell the story of the beginning of the Republic of Texas. Here the battle which followed the one after the Alamo. But the book opens with the two brothers still in Tennessee and is told by Joshua Buckalew in first person--not my favorite way of story telling. This is the only reason I gave the book four stars instead of five. And in these opening pages we learn about the brothers--their likes and dislikes; their similarities and differences; and their trust of one another. And distrust of some of the Mexicans. Historical personages are present or at least called out by name--Stephen Austin, Sam Houston, William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, and the like as these brave men, including the Buckalews, formed a freed land. It took men like these to forge a new country. This is history every American needs to know.

Let me begin by saying that this is a very typical historical fiction novel. You take a real place, real events, and then weave the characters in. Kelton, who sets most of his work in Texas during this time period, produces a book that his fans will love.What is strange with this book is the time and place chosen -- the site of the worst attrocity of the Texas War for Independence. And yet it works. Kelton's Buckalew brothers are solid characters, and will certainly appeal to most readers. Teresa, the book's love interest, is appropriately enticing. If there is one problem with the book, it is that Kelton makes the romance seem too unattainable. This is especially true in light of the fact that so many Tejanos were active supporters of Independence, and indeed were leaders in it. Furthermore, the selection of Goliad for the backdrop is disconcerting -- the tragedy to come is almost too overpowering for those who know Texas history. But the key word here is "almost," for that is Kelton's gift. Much as the improbable romance and impending tragedy of TITANIC appealed to millions, so, too, does this story.