Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen

Michael Spradlin and Roxie Munro have paired to present an entertaining and informative story of the famous Texas Rangers and the state that shaped that organization. Spradlin's story of the Texas Rangers progresses chronologically, from their origins as Texas "Minute Men," through the days of the Republic to the oil boom of the early 20th century through today. I did not know that the Texas state legislature mandates the number of Rangers serving, there are only about 120 at any given time. A single vacancy can attract over 100 applicants. Much of the history of the Rangers is founded in the personalities who wore the badge. John B. Armstrong, Lone Wolf Gonzaullas, Frank Hamer were responsible for the capture of some of the most notorious outlaws in American history, including John Wesley Hardin and Bonnie and Clyde. The picture book aspect might discourage junior high librarians from adding this title to their collections. Do not make that mistake. Spradlin's writing is concise but not simplistic. Roxie Munro's clear, bright illustrations depict the daring-do of the Rangers. Her distinctive style commemorates the landscape and the personalities of the state.

Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 6) for Reader Views (7/08) "Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen" by Michael P. Spradlin is a terrific book about the Texas Rangers, the first law enforcement officers in Texas. This book has a lot of really interesting information about the history of Texas and good stories about the battles fought by the Texas Rangers. Texas Rangers first roamed the Texas plains in 1823 when Texas was still part of Mexico. They didn't have to wear uniforms. They just dressed however they liked. They supplied their own gun and horse. The government supplied them with ammunition and food. In 1836 when Texas decided to secede from Mexico and become an independent country, Mexican President General Santa Anna sent a large army to punish the Texians. The Texians went to the Alamo, an old mission in San Antonio. Texas Rangers went to help them defend the Alamo. On their way there they were tricked and ended up in crossfire between the Texians and the Mexicans. Read the book to find out exactly what happened and if the Rangers survived. This book also tells stories about some famous Texas Rangers like John Coffee Hays who fought off a large band of Comanche warriors. It also tells about "Big Foot" Wallace who got lost in the desert and had to eat bugs and snakes. He survived and became a captain. There many more adventures of the Texas Rangers waiting for you in this book, along with some very good illustrations. I recommend "Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen" by Michael P. Spradlin to people from three-years-old to a hundred-years-old. I could read the book by myself, but I would not consider this an easy-reader book. I really liked this book a lot.

Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen is an amazing children's picturebook about the legendary Texas Rangers, lawmen who worked to protect fellow citizens from the hazards of frontier life in the 1820s. The Rangers were also present at key moments of Texas history, such as the defense of the Alamo along with heroes such as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and their espionage of the Mexican army during the war for independence. The simple illustrations add life and color to this fascinating tribute, which offers a glimpse of what the life of an Old West lawman was really like."Ranger Gonzaullas eventually rose to the rank of captain. He believed in using scientific methods such as fingerprints to capture outlaws, and he started the first modern laboratory for crime detection in Texas. He went on to solve some of the most famous crimes in Texas history." Highly recommended.