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The Texas Rangers: The History and Legacy of the West’s Most Famous Law Enforcement Agency
*Includes pictures
*Includes contemporary accounts of the Rangers
*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading
In the second decade of the 19th century, the precarious state of America’s transatlantic relationships began to stabilize. The War of 1812 ended, and the border status with Canada grew somewhat more settled. Turning its efforts toward the taming of an unwelcoming West, the young country faced new and less well-understood enemies. These included a vast array of indigenous Native American tribes, a general lawlessness roaming free from an absence of social protections, and Mexico’s historical claims on a large swath of the westernmost portions of the continent.
The contested ownership of Texas produced hostility over the following decades in what is now the 28th American state. The threat of relocating the border with Mexico far to the south at the Rio Grande River was seen as an American land grab of enormous proportions. The Comanche and other large tribes of the region, forced out by farmed acreage and barbed wire fence, viewed the onslaught of American settlement in much the same way. Within these cultural and legal collisions, an outlaw culture took advantage of the structural void. The creation of the Texas Rangers as a response to Indian retaliations and renegade assaults on the banking and transportation systems was born of a need to react quickly. Special skills were required, and unlike the military, resourcefulness and improvisatory thinking were prized alongside obedience to orders. Author Mike Cox described the ideal Texas Ranger as one who is “able to handle any situation without definite instruction from his commanding officer.”
It is this resourcefulness, a colorful and non-conformist personality, and a sense of vigilantism that has lent the Texas Rangers a special charisma since their formation. From 19th-century newspaper articles and short stories through early films, the legend of this paramilitary organization has never been without a willing audience. The Ranger’s Bride was released in 1901, followed by The Border Ranger and The Ranger and His Horse over the next four years. Radio of the 1940s created a sensation with its treatment of the old Lone Ranger story. The tale continued to bloom in television with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as the Ranger and his companion, Tonto. Karate champion Chuck Norris continued the trend with his serial titled Walker, Texas Ranger, employing the name of a famous figure from the Rangers’ early years. Uniformly idealized, the true nature of the organization could not be accurately captured by entertainment media. The behavior of the famed citizen protectors fluctuated consistently through their almost two-century existence, complete with tales of heroism and a string of atrocities committed against the innocent.
The Texas The History and Legacy of the West’s Most Famous Law Enforcement Agency chronicles the remarkable story of the Rangers and their place in fact, legend, and lore. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Texas Rangers like never before.
*Includes contemporary accounts of the Rangers
*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading
In the second decade of the 19th century, the precarious state of America’s transatlantic relationships began to stabilize. The War of 1812 ended, and the border status with Canada grew somewhat more settled. Turning its efforts toward the taming of an unwelcoming West, the young country faced new and less well-understood enemies. These included a vast array of indigenous Native American tribes, a general lawlessness roaming free from an absence of social protections, and Mexico’s historical claims on a large swath of the westernmost portions of the continent.
The contested ownership of Texas produced hostility over the following decades in what is now the 28th American state. The threat of relocating the border with Mexico far to the south at the Rio Grande River was seen as an American land grab of enormous proportions. The Comanche and other large tribes of the region, forced out by farmed acreage and barbed wire fence, viewed the onslaught of American settlement in much the same way. Within these cultural and legal collisions, an outlaw culture took advantage of the structural void. The creation of the Texas Rangers as a response to Indian retaliations and renegade assaults on the banking and transportation systems was born of a need to react quickly. Special skills were required, and unlike the military, resourcefulness and improvisatory thinking were prized alongside obedience to orders. Author Mike Cox described the ideal Texas Ranger as one who is “able to handle any situation without definite instruction from his commanding officer.”
It is this resourcefulness, a colorful and non-conformist personality, and a sense of vigilantism that has lent the Texas Rangers a special charisma since their formation. From 19th-century newspaper articles and short stories through early films, the legend of this paramilitary organization has never been without a willing audience. The Ranger’s Bride was released in 1901, followed by The Border Ranger and The Ranger and His Horse over the next four years. Radio of the 1940s created a sensation with its treatment of the old Lone Ranger story. The tale continued to bloom in television with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as the Ranger and his companion, Tonto. Karate champion Chuck Norris continued the trend with his serial titled Walker, Texas Ranger, employing the name of a famous figure from the Rangers’ early years. Uniformly idealized, the true nature of the organization could not be accurately captured by entertainment media. The behavior of the famed citizen protectors fluctuated consistently through their almost two-century existence, complete with tales of heroism and a string of atrocities committed against the innocent.
The Texas The History and Legacy of the West’s Most Famous Law Enforcement Agency chronicles the remarkable story of the Rangers and their place in fact, legend, and lore. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Texas Rangers like never before.
- GenresHistory
56 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2017
About the author
Charles River Editors
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 15, 2020
The book goes into the history of the Texas Rangers, how they were founded, disbanded, restarted and so on. It discusses the role of Mexican and American politics at the time and how this resulted in violence, including the massacre of over 500 prisoners-of-war by Santa Ana.
It covers how the Texas Rangers were not always focused on crime alone but were also involved in wars against the Native Americans. The role of slavery in the area is discussed. The book also covers how the Texas Rangers evolved into the image we have of them today.
Quite interesting.
It covers how the Texas Rangers were not always focused on crime alone but were also involved in wars against the Native Americans. The role of slavery in the area is discussed. The book also covers how the Texas Rangers evolved into the image we have of them today.
Quite interesting.
February 20, 2022
An overview of the inception of the Texas Rangers through modern times. Even though not an in depth read it does cover the basics. It shows how the Texas Rangers required a certain type of man to execute the job he was given, which in itself did attract some more vindictive characters but that was a small minority of the men and most of them were honorable and courageous. It also touches on the fact that the Rangers were always greatly outnumbered and had to use force and their own wits to get the job done and protect the people.
March 21, 2022
Scattered
Writing was very scattered and confusing. Writer bounced around offering little detail on most of the stories. Left you with little insight to what the rangers were actually about. Too many other books that make the reading much more interesting and captivating. Can't recommend this book to anyone.
Writing was very scattered and confusing. Writer bounced around offering little detail on most of the stories. Left you with little insight to what the rangers were actually about. Too many other books that make the reading much more interesting and captivating. Can't recommend this book to anyone.
October 19, 2017
A truncated history of Texas and its Rangers from its beginning as an assembly of volunteers in 1835 forward. Not the best thesis I've ever read.
Scott Clem does his best with the material he is given to narrate.
Scott Clem does his best with the material he is given to narrate.
February 7, 2018
Another quick informative read. This book tells the history of the Texas Rangers, and covers their formation, early history and all notable stories. It even includes Chuck Norris's Walker: Texas Ranger!
November 18, 2019
Some unknown history!
Excellent and brief synopsis of the Rangers from last to present. For me, there was a lot of new information, a lot of which portrayed the darker side of the Texas Ranger story. I enjoyed it very much.
Excellent and brief synopsis of the Rangers from last to present. For me, there was a lot of new information, a lot of which portrayed the darker side of the Texas Ranger story. I enjoyed it very much.
December 9, 2019
Interesting
This a very short summary of the history of the Texas Rangers that jumps along a chronological history of incidents from historic references.
This a very short summary of the history of the Texas Rangers that jumps along a chronological history of incidents from historic references.
April 5, 2021
Great Texas history. I
I enjoyed reading this book about the Texas Rangers. It shows that these men werey not always the white hat heros that they are known for today.
I enjoyed reading this book about the Texas Rangers. It shows that these men werey not always the white hat heros that they are known for today.
October 2, 2021
To brief
Might as well be called the “cliff notes” version of Texas Ranger history. The lack of references after 1834 is appalling.
Might as well be called the “cliff notes” version of Texas Ranger history. The lack of references after 1834 is appalling.
September 29, 2023
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Texas Rangers. A quick read, a short book. No page numbers, small print.
December 5, 2023
short but informative book on the Texas Rangers
Read
September 18, 2018I love reading the history of all kinds (people, places, and things) well now I have found another outlet to get my fill! It is so nice to quickly read about times and people and have all of the important bits right at my fingertips. I loved all the info in this book as some of my family were members way back then.....My thanks to Charles River...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews