What do you think?
Rate this book
The Texicans
NOT another story about Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston and the boys.
Decades before Crockett, Bowie or Houston even set foot in Texas, Frederick Stockman was already there. Author Jinx Schwartz, a ninth-generation Texan, has delved deep into her ancestral roots to create this moving story of the Frederick Stockman familys' courageous determination to make Texas their home during the turbulent period between 1806 and 1836.
The Texicans was inspired by a Texas history book calling her ancestral clan a "congenial society for evil"--rogues "skilled in many forms of villainy" for their role in the tumultuous years of first Spanish, the Mexican rule.
Frederick Stockman and his family immigrate to Spanish Texas in 1806 to ranch, but soon find themselves inexorably drawn into the bitter conflict between Mexico and Spain. They join forces with a dashing young Spanish deserter, Miguel Gonzales, in his successful campaign to liberate Mexico and Texas from Spanish rule. Their ties are further cemented when Gonzales marries into the family.
As Heroes of Mexico, the Texicans--staunch supporters of Mexican rule for Texas--find themselves vilified by North American settlers illegally flocking across the unprotected border. These newcomers, calling themselves Texians, view Mexico, Mexicans and Texicans as the enemy. Targets of bigotry, the Texicans themselves are torn along cultural lines as their hero-turned-despot, General Santa Anna, propels them towards a deadly showdown.
Decades before Crockett, Bowie or Houston even set foot in Texas, Frederick Stockman was already there. Author Jinx Schwartz, a ninth-generation Texan, has delved deep into her ancestral roots to create this moving story of the Frederick Stockman familys' courageous determination to make Texas their home during the turbulent period between 1806 and 1836.
The Texicans was inspired by a Texas history book calling her ancestral clan a "congenial society for evil"--rogues "skilled in many forms of villainy" for their role in the tumultuous years of first Spanish, the Mexican rule.
Frederick Stockman and his family immigrate to Spanish Texas in 1806 to ranch, but soon find themselves inexorably drawn into the bitter conflict between Mexico and Spain. They join forces with a dashing young Spanish deserter, Miguel Gonzales, in his successful campaign to liberate Mexico and Texas from Spanish rule. Their ties are further cemented when Gonzales marries into the family.
As Heroes of Mexico, the Texicans--staunch supporters of Mexican rule for Texas--find themselves vilified by North American settlers illegally flocking across the unprotected border. These newcomers, calling themselves Texians, view Mexico, Mexicans and Texicans as the enemy. Targets of bigotry, the Texicans themselves are torn along cultural lines as their hero-turned-despot, General Santa Anna, propels them towards a deadly showdown.
- GenresHistorical FictionAmazon
289 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2000
121 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Jinx Schwartz
29 books317 followersJinx Schwartz is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of the award-winning Hetta Coffey series.
JUST ADD WATER, first in the series, introduces Hetta, a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it. JUST ADD SALT, JUST ADD TROUBLE, JUST DESERTS, JUST THE PITS, JUST NEEDS KILLIN', AND JUST DIFFERENT DEVILS get her into hot Mexican Waters. JUST PARDON MY FRENCH, BOOK 8, FINDS HETTA IN FRANCE and Book 9: JUST FOLLOW THE MONEY, takes a wild ride on two continents, and JUST FOR THE BIRDS, Book 10, gets her afowl of exotic bird smugglers. Book 11 finds her in Texas, and living in an RV until her boat goes missing back in Mexico, and in Just On Porpoise (12 ) her attention is drawn to the almost extinct Vaquita, and JUST SO WRONG (13) finds Hetta taking on the dogfighting trade. Her other books: The Texicans (Texas 1806-1836 Historical Western), Land of Mountains, a YA/TWEEN set in Haiti in the 1950's, Troubled Sea, a thriller in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, and BAJA GET AWAY, suspensful romance in Mexico.
Jinx spends equal time in Arizona and Mexico.
JUST ADD WATER, first in the series, introduces Hetta, a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it. JUST ADD SALT, JUST ADD TROUBLE, JUST DESERTS, JUST THE PITS, JUST NEEDS KILLIN', AND JUST DIFFERENT DEVILS get her into hot Mexican Waters. JUST PARDON MY FRENCH, BOOK 8, FINDS HETTA IN FRANCE and Book 9: JUST FOLLOW THE MONEY, takes a wild ride on two continents, and JUST FOR THE BIRDS, Book 10, gets her afowl of exotic bird smugglers. Book 11 finds her in Texas, and living in an RV until her boat goes missing back in Mexico, and in Just On Porpoise (12 ) her attention is drawn to the almost extinct Vaquita, and JUST SO WRONG (13) finds Hetta taking on the dogfighting trade. Her other books: The Texicans (Texas 1806-1836 Historical Western), Land of Mountains, a YA/TWEEN set in Haiti in the 1950's, Troubled Sea, a thriller in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, and BAJA GET AWAY, suspensful romance in Mexico.
Jinx spends equal time in Arizona and Mexico.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Want to read
January 30, 2020TheFussyLibrarian
January 18, 2016
A great historical fiction book! Being a historical fiction writer myself, it was refreshing to read this account of the author's ancestors in a time of Texas history that is not often looked at. While most people know the story of the Alamo, this predates those events by over 20 years, but then carries forward to beyond the end of the Texas revolution.
The style is at once comfortable, the pace steady, and the characters believable. I was saddened by the events at the conclusion, but still this was a very enjoyable read. I heartily recommend it for everyone.
The style is at once comfortable, the pace steady, and the characters believable. I was saddened by the events at the conclusion, but still this was a very enjoyable read. I heartily recommend it for everyone.
December 30, 2012
Jinx Schwartz’s book is about one family’s story in the history of Texas. She weaves her ancestors along with historical characters into an intriguing plot.
The story tells of the adventures and misadventures of family members pitched alongside the events of the rebellion of Mexico from Spain, and Texas’ rebellion from Mexico.
Her characters are well rounded and the story very entertaining.
I recommend it.
The story tells of the adventures and misadventures of family members pitched alongside the events of the rebellion of Mexico from Spain, and Texas’ rebellion from Mexico.
Her characters are well rounded and the story very entertaining.
I recommend it.
October 29, 2019
If history is your thing, this may be for you
I started this thinking of all the Schwartz books already under my belt. I'm not sure why I expected this to be funny, knowing it is a fictionalized account of her family's immigration to Texas. It was interesting, but not enough to hold me to the end. Partly some poor editing, tired of the back and forth from English to Spanish with the names, (if Enrique was Henry, James was Jaime, Katherine was Katrina, Stockman became Estocoman, etc., why was Miguel never Mike?), and the skipping around places and people; all too much for me.
This will probably be loved by history buffs so if that's your cuppa, give this book a shot.
I started this thinking of all the Schwartz books already under my belt. I'm not sure why I expected this to be funny, knowing it is a fictionalized account of her family's immigration to Texas. It was interesting, but not enough to hold me to the end. Partly some poor editing, tired of the back and forth from English to Spanish with the names, (if Enrique was Henry, James was Jaime, Katherine was Katrina, Stockman became Estocoman, etc., why was Miguel never Mike?), and the skipping around places and people; all too much for me.
This will probably be loved by history buffs so if that's your cuppa, give this book a shot.
August 19, 2019
This historical novel reads like fiction but is partially based on the author's family. And what a history it is! Texas really went through many changes--first under Spanish rule--then Mexican and finally the United States.
Births, deaths and the struggle to find their identity in those troubling times. This is the story of how that family lived through it all and still resides in Texas as proud Texans!! The author does tell which of the character's are real and which are fictional at the end of this novel!
Births, deaths and the struggle to find their identity in those troubling times. This is the story of how that family lived through it all and still resides in Texas as proud Texans!! The author does tell which of the character's are real and which are fictional at the end of this novel!
November 13, 2023
Mexico, Texas, and a war.
A thoroughly enjoyable read about a family attempting to start anew in a great land called Texas. Although fiction, it is easy to imagine this story having happened. Jinx Schwartz has captured the feel of the time and the frustration of the characters all the while knowing that a battle for land can create war amongst even the most peaceful. Even the great, great, great, great grandfather you couldn't have known.
A thoroughly enjoyable read about a family attempting to start anew in a great land called Texas. Although fiction, it is easy to imagine this story having happened. Jinx Schwartz has captured the feel of the time and the frustration of the characters all the while knowing that a battle for land can create war amongst even the most peaceful. Even the great, great, great, great grandfather you couldn't have known.
May 1, 2023
Interesting history
Since this is based on actual history, it interests me more than pure fiction. The characters come across as real, since most of them are.
However, the author needs to learn better Spanish if she is going to use it. Example: she has "buenos noches" at one place. Since 'noches' is a feminine noun it should be "buenas noches" .
Since this is based on actual history, it interests me more than pure fiction. The characters come across as real, since most of them are.
However, the author needs to learn better Spanish if she is going to use it. Example: she has "buenos noches" at one place. Since 'noches' is a feminine noun it should be "buenas noches" .
October 13, 2023
A story about Katherine and Frederick Stockman who did immigrate to Spanish Texas in 1806 and having 8 children. This is about how they lived and fought for freedom. A really good story from their arrival to the Alamo!
May 23, 2018
A terrific stand-alone book. It gives you a lot of history and you get to follow the lives of an interesting family. Jinx always delivers an amazing story!!
Read
May 20, 2020I really enjoyed learning a little about Texas history. And about the authors ancestors. Good read.
October 7, 2022
Fun read
I love a good historical novel. Read this one pretty much straight through. It left me wondering about the rest of the story.
I love a good historical novel. Read this one pretty much straight through. It left me wondering about the rest of the story.
April 21, 2023
A blend of part true, mixed with fiction. Makes it a blend of a well written & a nice historical story.
January 27, 2015
A FASCINATING FACET OF HISTORY
Most of us Americans have grown up with at least a vague awareness of the phrase, ‘Remember the Alamo!’ But few have been really taught about the events leading up to that horrific event, or what happened afterwards in the intriguing story of how Texas earned its statehood. In Jinx Schwartz’s THE TEXICANS, that’s exactly what she does, and does it extremely well. Using the Stockman family (German immigrants) as her epicenter, she introduces us, through them, to the complicated intermingling of land possession, land grants, revolution, changing allegiances, prejudices, and much, much more.
First owned by the Spanish, this land, locally known as The Zone, became a battleground for Mexico’s revolution, followed by the Texas Revolution. Land grants had wooed American citizens there as well as Mexicans, and one never quite knew who was loyal to whom. Much like the predawn days of the American Revolution where neighbors distrusted neighbors, this point in time was dangerous as well as colorful. Names like Santa Anna, Hidalgo, Stephen Austin, and Andrew Jackson, all of whom we probably have heard about, here, are presented up close and personal in this very well written, descriptive, informative novel.
Having expected the same charming, clipped style of Ms. Schwartz’s Hedda Coffey series, I was surprised and pleased at how different her prose appeared here––erudite and flowing, it befitted the time period and genre perfectly, while demonstrating the author’s great versatility. A highly recommended read!
Most of us Americans have grown up with at least a vague awareness of the phrase, ‘Remember the Alamo!’ But few have been really taught about the events leading up to that horrific event, or what happened afterwards in the intriguing story of how Texas earned its statehood. In Jinx Schwartz’s THE TEXICANS, that’s exactly what she does, and does it extremely well. Using the Stockman family (German immigrants) as her epicenter, she introduces us, through them, to the complicated intermingling of land possession, land grants, revolution, changing allegiances, prejudices, and much, much more.
First owned by the Spanish, this land, locally known as The Zone, became a battleground for Mexico’s revolution, followed by the Texas Revolution. Land grants had wooed American citizens there as well as Mexicans, and one never quite knew who was loyal to whom. Much like the predawn days of the American Revolution where neighbors distrusted neighbors, this point in time was dangerous as well as colorful. Names like Santa Anna, Hidalgo, Stephen Austin, and Andrew Jackson, all of whom we probably have heard about, here, are presented up close and personal in this very well written, descriptive, informative novel.
Having expected the same charming, clipped style of Ms. Schwartz’s Hedda Coffey series, I was surprised and pleased at how different her prose appeared here––erudite and flowing, it befitted the time period and genre perfectly, while demonstrating the author’s great versatility. A highly recommended read!
January 14, 2015
"The Texicans" by Jinx Schwartz is a fascinating historical novel that intertwines the lives of German Immigrants with the history of the state Texas from ca. 1800 onwards.
For this European/German reader it was an eye opener to learn so much I hadn't known about, yet be entertained with great characters and a good storyline at the same time.
I instantly took to the characters.
Overall, I must say that I am stunned by this book: knowing the author from her light-hearted and highly amusing detective series I am impressed at the effortless versatility.
With just the right balance between historical facts and storyline this is highly recommended.
For this European/German reader it was an eye opener to learn so much I hadn't known about, yet be entertained with great characters and a good storyline at the same time.
I instantly took to the characters.
Overall, I must say that I am stunned by this book: knowing the author from her light-hearted and highly amusing detective series I am impressed at the effortless versatility.
With just the right balance between historical facts and storyline this is highly recommended.
August 6, 2012
Nice overview of the early Spanish, then Mexican, then Independent Texas prior to and including the Alamo, using real and fictional characters who lived it. The story gets a little muddled in places, trying to weave the family into the historical context of the Texas Independence. Both get lightly (perhaps too lightly) covered in places, probably due to trying to keep the book of manageable length. On a positive note, it leaves the reader wanting to know more.
May 1, 2013
A well written book, with believable characters. I found it even more interesting because it follows the author's personal relatives through a period of volatile history. I had visited some of the areas/town mentioned in the book and was intrigued with the history divulged. My preference has been Sci-fi but this was a welcome change of my usual reads.
August 11, 2012
Great read for someone from San Antonio! Covered TX history leading up to Battle of Alamo & right after, but covered the battle in about a paragraph .. Just as well! Held my interest.with developing characters during that time .. Early 1800s.
January 7, 2014
Great read.. thanx Jinx..
August 14, 2015
Great historical novel covering the early days of Texas!
April 30, 2017
Almost everybody has a family history they think would make a good book. But very few people are skilled enough to write a book about it that's worth reading. Jinx Schwartz has done so with this historical fiction of her Texas ancestors, a far cry from her best-selling Hetta Coffey nautical adventure series. Yeah, sometimes the sheer quantity of fictionalized dialogue had me wondering where she was going next, or swiping backwards on my iPad to see how a new event related to a previous event. But overall, Jinx tells and writes a good story. In fact, her writing might inspire me to dust off the papers in that box from my late Aunt Geraldine who told and retold of ancestors who were farmers in England, settled on marshland in the New World, moved Westward, and finally resettled in the Oklahoma territory. Today, the place the ancestors originally settled in New England is called Cape Cod...Thanks for the inspiration, Jinx!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews