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The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo--and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation
The gripping and definitive chronicle of the iconic battle that inspired a nation--a sweeping saga of 200 brave Americans who stood tall against an overwhelmingly superior Mexican force.
On February 23, 1836, a Mexican army thousands of soldiers strong attacked a group of roughly 200 Americans holed up in an abandoned mission just east of San Antonio, Texas. For nearly two...more
On February 23, 1836, a Mexican army thousands of soldiers strong attacked a group of roughly 200 Americans holed up in an abandoned mission just east of San Antonio, Texas. For nearly two...more
Hardcover, 512 pages
Published
May 15th 2012
by Little, Brown and Company
(first published April 17th 2012)
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I recently read "A Terrible Glory" (Custer and the Little Big Horn) by James Donovan and was so impressed with it that I immediately went out and bought "The Blood of Heroes". I found it to be an excellent read. I knew the basics of the story of the Alamo, but Donovan's in-depth research and telling the story from the perspective of both the Texians and the Mexicans really brought this struggle to life. As with his Custer book, Donovan manages to build suspense, even though the reader already kn...more
Well, this isn't as bad as Donovan's Custer book. (Which I feared it would be, when I saw the author, and the similarly poor in style paragraph-length subtitle. [In "A Terrible Glory" Donovan goes back to old time Custer-defending on the amount of discretion he allegedly had in his orders, blaming Reno for many of his problems, etc., while failing to take full account of the latest findings in battlefield ballistic analysis to show that Custer's troopers were shellshocked as soon as they realize...more
This is one of the better books I have read on the history of the Alamo and war for Texas Independence. James Donovan does a great job of researching a variety of sources and giving the reader an in-depth look at the Alamo and those that died defending it. I liked this book much better than Donovan's first book, A Terrible Glory, which was a look at Custer's last stand. The one thing I did not like about the book is that I thought it could have used more maps in the book. It would have been usef...more
I have stated before in reviews of book on American history that my knowledge is weak on my own country's history. I have always been far more fascinated with Europe's history. I have, though been making an effort to learn more about the events that formed the United States. Most school children know the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo" but how many of them know what went on AT the Alamo? In all honesty no one REALLY knows but Mr. Donovan writes a fascinating and well researched book taking us o...more
I wanted to like this book... but I didn't. Born in Texas and lived here most of my life, plus the mandatory Texas History in middle school, I knew that early Texas history was a little chaotic. Okay, okay a lot chaotic. That's the theme of this book although it's very well researched and could have been made into a respectable story. A story about grand adventure, patriotism, heroism, and sacrifice. Instead it's more of a boring text book that magnified the all too human character flaws of hero...more
It is a wider ranging history than the title implies - the battle lasted 12 days, but in the book it barely lasts one chapter. Donovan spends a lot of time relating peripheral information about people who ultimately have some connection to the battle at the Alamo, and events that ultimately lead to the battle - but relatively little text dealing with the battle, although what he does relate is excellent, though limited almost entirely to the final day. He provides a compelling picture of the cha...more
I just came back from San Antonio and a visit to the Alamo so I read this book before departing. The book did an excellent job describing the characters involved in the battle for the Alamo, including the Mexican generals. I also got an appreciation for the difficult terrain that the Mexican army had to traverse to reach Bexar.
The other point the book made was that pretty much everyone was either too rational or too afraid to come and help Travis and the rebels at the Alamo. It really makes the...more
The other point the book made was that pretty much everyone was either too rational or too afraid to come and help Travis and the rebels at the Alamo. It really makes the...more
As a native of San Antonio, Texas, I have always been fascinated by the history of my hometown, and the surrounding areas. As a young child, I had the opportunity to visit the Alamo and the surrounding missions. I'm not sure about other states, but Texans are extremely proud of their history, so I have read and studied about the Battle of the Alamo in school and on my own for many years. Every once in a while, new details emerge, inspiring new versions of the story of the Battle that took place...more
One of the blurbs on the back says that this "reads fast, like a gallop through South Texas." I think it more like a slow trot on an exhausted horse, which in a way, I think fits it better--there was nothing as fast and straightforward about the revolution as a ride across the plains. Although the title references only the Alamo, the book actually covers from Goliad and Gonzales all the way to San Jacinto, although nothing besides the Alamo is covered in great detail. I learned more about the Al...more
Prince Geoffrey: My you chivalric fool. As if the way one fell down mattered.
Prince Richard: When the fall is all there is – it matters…
-- John Castle and Anthony Hopkins in The Lion in Winter
The first time I ever saw the Alamo, I had just consumed a 46 ounce margarita at The Republic of Texas Restaurant on the Riverwalk.
My wife and I had made it to San Antonio earlier in the evening, having started out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (and with a side-trip to the environs of Houston to see the San Ja...more
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A well written straight forward account of the Fall of the Alamo. I think others have mentioned the use of the narrative style - and I would say that although the captions mention the use of "new" archival material - that there is not really anything new revealed here.
The book makes good use of source material and is up to date with regard to the materials discovered to date. The notes are not really well referenced as they are not noted with numbers to specific passages.
The author presents a se...more
The book makes good use of source material and is up to date with regard to the materials discovered to date. The notes are not really well referenced as they are not noted with numbers to specific passages.
The author presents a se...more
After my first attempt at reading an Alamo book, this one was a real joy. Straightforward and plainly written, but packed with information. Donovan tells a good story, and his authorial voice doesn't intrude on it. That is, any author telling this story is obviously going to be telling things his way with some bias, but I didn't find myself questioning Donovan's much.
Basically, I would recommend this book to anybody looking to get a good understanding of the Alamo in context.
Basically, I would recommend this book to anybody looking to get a good understanding of the Alamo in context.
I enjoyed the book. I had heard the story of the Alamo and seen at least one movie (perhaps two) about it. I appreciated the backstory the book provides about many of the pivotal characters in the Battle of the Alamo, especially individuals outside of the big three (Bowie, Crockett and Barrett).
The pace of the narrative moves quickly and rarely bogs down, though I found myself wanting to get to the actual Battle of the Alamo and it seemed that I was nearly to the end of the book when it actually...more
The pace of the narrative moves quickly and rarely bogs down, though I found myself wanting to get to the actual Battle of the Alamo and it seemed that I was nearly to the end of the book when it actually...more
I have read a few books about the Alamo. However, this is the best book I have read about the Alamo. I found everything detail interesting. I like how it describe the Mexican Army during the period of the 1830's, From the battalions, their weapons, and artillery during that time. The men who defended the Alamo-including David Crockett, William B. Travis, and James Bowie sacrificed their lives as well as others for Texas's independence from Mexican tyranny.
With a title like "Blood of Heroes", I expected a work playing to the semi-legendary status of the last, hopeless, desperate, and near mythical stand that had the seeming impossible attendance of Bowie, Crocket, and Travis. However, especially the first, dragging half earns the book the dry, detailed title of "A Military History of the Texan War for Independence", or something. However, things pick up when the author "cuts to the chase" for the actual fall of The Alamo, the later massacre at Gol...more
Jul 04, 2012
Mike Brown
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone with an interest in United States History.
Still early into my journey with this book. I've read other accounts of this time in history but this is the one that from the opening sentence, I've found most interesting detailing the events leading up to the Battle of The Alamo. It has painted a scene(s) in my mind that I had been unable to imagine previously. I've managed to visualize William Travis, James Bowie and several other figures in the story moving about, though Davy Crockett has yet to be introduced. It digs into the mindset and a...more
I love books like this that take a comprehensive look at historical events. The amazing twists of fate, decisions that should have been disastrous weren't, the human frailties and egos, the acts of selfless bravery -- they're all here. This is an AMAZING read.
Good book. Detailed the lives of the major players at the Alamo - Jim Bowie, Steven Travis, Davy Crockett. He then tells the story of the Texas fight for revolution. A great book - certainly a time period I haven't read about often. Highly recommend.
Dec 25, 2012
Christie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Christie by:
Brian Donovan (authors brother)
I'm behind on reading this book but my mom just finished it. This is her review. The Blood of Heroes was excellent! Every kid in Texas has taken Texas history in school and knows the story of the Alamo and the heros but this book tells that story from both sides with facts from extensive research. Loved reading the factual story of the lives of the Heros - not just the legends - and what lead them to the Alamo! The struggle for Texas independence was not pretty but it sure was interesting! If yo...more
An excellent job of providing the Alamo's full story. Includes the events leading up to and after this historic battle. Excellent mini-biographies of all the key figures involved in the fight for Texas independence.
Jun 07, 2012
Yesteeyear
added it
Check out our review at http://yesteeyear.com/history-book-reviews/review-the-blood-of-heroes-by-james-donovan/
The book was good, but did not focus enough on why Mexico felt betrayed by the Texan colonists and in my opinion only gave the American/Texan side of history yet again. I enjoyed the book, but it was not as good as expected.
An interesting read that removes much of the mythologizing of the various well known historical characters involved in Texas' fight for independence.
A factual and interesting account of the battle for The Alamo. Provides good historical background on what led up to it.
Loved it. A well researched and thoughtful story about the myth and reality of the Texas' fight for independence.
A dramatic and historically intriguing account that places the heroic epic in context.
Brilliant. A pleasure to read.
Texas history, well written.
An excellent telling of the story of the Alamo, this book offered a great deal of information that I'd not heard or read about before. In particular I enjoyed learning about the post siege events and how the word was spread, the stories of those who survived (and Moses Rose, the only one who chose to leave before the siege), the attack of the Rebels on Santa Anna's army post-Alamo and how Santa Anna fled (more like deserted) from that battle. An outstanding, engaging and eye-opening read!
I loved Donovan's treatment of Custer and how objectively he presented all events and perspectives of all involved to the degree ascertainable. I was therefore very excited to see how he would present something as emotional and often exaggerated as the Alamo. He did not disappoint, hence the rating. Stone who reads this needs to read the afterword setting forth the debate on Travis' line in the sand as it offers a window to the depth of research and insight behind each fact in the book.
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James Donovan is the author of the classic illustrated account of Custer's Last Stand, A Terrible Glory, and Custer and the Little Bighorn. He lives in Dallas.
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