The Alamo

John Myers Myers, in the last sentences of his book, The Alamo, perfectly captures the essence of what this story means to America. He writes, "The Alamo isn't a structure now; it is a symbol of valor in the minds of men. It can never fall again." Though he closes with that thought, it is obvious that he wrote this history with the knowledge that this particular event is just as important as myth as it is as history, and that it presents unique challenges to the historian to distinguish between the two. In the forward, he addresses the issue of how hard it is to find solid, historical evidence about the Alamo. The combatants were killed to a man, and as for the non-combatants who survived to tell their tales, none were professional writers, and no historian bothered to interviewed any of them during their lifetimes. He explains in some detail how he decided the veracity of the various surviving source materials: letters, journals, official orders of the Mexican officers, and interviews of survivors. He then launches into the tale. Myers divides his book into three sections. The first third is devoted to the history of the structure of the Alamo, from mission to military outpost, and to the history of the roots of the conflict between the Texians and Mexico. This is vital information to understanding what happened at Bexar during those fateful twelve days in 1836. The fact that Myers devotes so many pages to explaining this background and placing the story in its proper historical context is one of the books strongest points. In the second third of the book, Myers introduces the principal players who history associates with the Alamo - Bowie, Travis, Crockett, and Santa Anna. A chapter is devoted to each of them, and Myers does an admirable job of placing each within the context of their own personal histories without resorting to what later became so controversial as detracting "revisionism". He notes that while Bowie and Crockett were already legends in their own time, that Travis' fame is tied exclusively to his participation in the Texian revolution. He solidly establishes who they were as flesh and blood men, rather than the demigods of myth that they became, yet does so respectfully. Likewise, he paints a balanced portrait of Santa Anna rather than simply demonizing him. In the book's final section, Myers writes skillfully of the siege and storming of the Alamo. It is a tale that comes with its own in-built drama, which requires only an expert storyteller to assure its success, and Myers is indeed an outstanding storyteller. He has an idiosyncratic style of writing that lends itself perfectly to the telling of this particular tale. Throughout, he is generally faithful to the more traditional interpretations of what happened at Bexar, but does acknowledge some of the elements that smack more of legend than of historical fact (such as Travis' saber-drawn line in the sand). Myers has written a fine history of an event that has become an indispe

Newer books have been written based on more recently available sources, but this book stands the test of time. It is based on solid research, it doesn't spend entire chapters digressing into, for instance, the ins and outs of the Bowies' business dealings, and it keeps speculation on the motivations of Travis, Crockett, Bowie and Santa Anna to a couple of paragraphs each. Any speculation is just the author's guesswork, and I find Myers guesses to be kept more brief - and more to my personal taste - than, say, William C. Davis' in "Three Roads to the Alamo". It has been said that a revisionist is one who, lacking the notion of honor in his/her own character, cannot understand it when encountered in others. While Myers examines the actions of the three main personalities in a journalistic manner, the enormity of their patriotic sacrifice is never deprecated as is the fashion in modern, revisionist historical writing.This book remains not only the best single volume on the siege, it provides a great introduction to the historic and social melieu of the era for those seeking to understand the background of the Mexican-American War. -

Although written in 1948, John Myers Myers "The Alamo", proves that he did his homework well way back then. As a result, the factual conclusions he arrived at then, dovetail with those arrived at by other Alamo authors in later years, including Walter Lord. Myers writing presents the subject in a historicly accurate manor, but at the same time with the wit and insight of a newspaper editorial, which brings it to life on a human level.

In American history there are a great number of battles that have shaped the United States into the country we have become, the Alamo is among them. This audio recording is one of the most complete accounts of that historic event that Texas to independence.Myers take you on a journey back to the days of Jim Bowie, William Barret Travis, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston and Stephen Austin. The journey begins with the American immigration into the Mexican Territory of Texas and how the Spanish rule was law of the land.The history books fall short when recounting the exploits of the over 180 men who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, this recording gives them the just and well deserved place in the annals of history. The recording is 5 1 ½ Hour cassettes and well worth the time to listen to each.If you wan to learn what really happened in the mission turned fort spend the time and money to get this recording, you won't be disappointed. John Myers Myers is certainly the foremost expert on the subject.

Most people are aware of the history of the Alamo. This book gives us some in-depth background of the incredible story of how a group of a little over one hundred men, chose certain death, instead of surrender, or retreat, in front of a hopeless situation. More incredible still, is the fact that only nine of the Alamo defenders (curiously, all of Mexican origin!) were actually born in Texas! How were these passions created? The book is short & always to the point. Myers deals with the social & historical factors that drove the action in a logical, simple & interesting way. The central characters are beautifully developed. The reader actually cares about their welfare & ultimate fate. So important in holding one's attention. The whole account runs logically & unfussily to the momentous final conclusion. Here too, the author does not disappoint. The battle scenes are rousing, all-action & the tactics, weaponry, etc., are clearly described. Throughout, Myers is very careful to differenciate between known fact & heresay. He shows great impartiality too, between the Mexican & American positions. All in all, I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to both serious & occasional military history readers. Totally entertaining!