
A Line in the Sand
The Alamo in Blood and Memory
The Free Press
Published on 1. May 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-7432-1233-5 (ISBN)
Description
San Antonio, Texas, 1836. A Mexican army led by Santa Anna attacks a small fort called the Alamo. Disputes still rage over exactly what happended, why it happened, and how it should be remembered. Indeed, the battles fought over the memory of the Alamo have been almost as fierce as their subject. In a riveting combination of history and cultural analysis, historians Randy Roberts and James N. Olson blend a rich narrative of the battle, told from the perspectives of both the Anglo and Mexican troops, drawing from a wide range of sources, including newly released documents from Mexican military archives and just-discovered pages of the famous de la Pena diary. Still controversial after all these years, the events at the Alamo pose some fascinating questions: Did Crockett really die a hero, or did he surrender before a summary execution? And why have Americans built a shrine for an event that lasted no more than ninety minutes, and inflated it into one of the country's biggest tourist attractions? A full explanation of the San Antonio encounter requires a peeling back of many layers. With powerful writing, Roberts and Olson retell the story of a great American myth, and show how and why it endures. This original volume is sure to change the way readers remember the Alamo.
Reviews / Votes
Dan Rather The Wall Street Journal Rich in historical and biographical detail...one of the strongest accounts I've read of the drive for Texas independence. David Uhler San Antonio Express-News A rare overview of historic Alamo controversies and a thorough examination of the reasons why the Shrine of Texas Liberty has been elevated to the status of worldwide icon. The New Yorker Enjoyable, innovative....Roberts and Olson do a commendable job of re-creating the murky circumstances of the battle.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
16pp b-w insert
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
543 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7432-1233-5 (9780743212335)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2001
1st Edition
Free Press
€15.81
Available for download
Persons
Randy Roberts is distinguished professor of history at Purdue University and an award-winning author.
James S. Olson is an academic and the Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of over thirty books.
James S. Olson is an academic and the Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of over thirty books.
Content
Contents
Preface
Map
Prologue
In the Footsteps of History
"The Free Born Sons of America"
"The Bones of Warriors"
"Those Proud Tow'rs"
"VICTORY or DEATH"
INTERLUDE
In Search of Davy's Grave
Retrieving the Bones of History
King of the Wild Frontier
Only Heroes, Only Men
De la Pena's Revenge
The Third Battle of the Alamo
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliographic Essay
Index
Preface
Map
Prologue
In the Footsteps of History
"The Free Born Sons of America"
"The Bones of Warriors"
"Those Proud Tow'rs"
"VICTORY or DEATH"
INTERLUDE
In Search of Davy's Grave
Retrieving the Bones of History
King of the Wild Frontier
Only Heroes, Only Men
De la Pena's Revenge
The Third Battle of the Alamo
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliographic Essay
Index