The Battle of the Alamo: Texans Under Seige

by Steven Otfinoski

Vivid storytelling brings American history to life and place readers in the shoes of twelve people who experienced an iconic moment of U.S. history - the Battle of the Alamo. In early 1836, a small group of Texas volunteer soldiers occupied the Alamo fort and withstood a 13-day siege by a massive Mexican Army force. Suspenseful, dramatic events unfold in chronological, interwoven stories from the different perspectives of people who experienced the event while it was happening. Narratives intertwine to create a breathless, "What's Next?" kind of read. Students gain a new perspective on historical figures as they learn about real people struggling to decide how best to act in a given moment.

112 pages, Library Binding

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Peter A. van Tilburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently I visited San Antonio to take a look at he battle side of the Alamo. I bought this book to ‘remember the Alamo’ and the facts. Mexico independant in 1824, letting settlers in from the USA as protection from the Comanches in the North. Because Mexico already abolished slavery in 1829 and the settlers numbers increased and they hold slaves the Mexicans ended the American immigration in 1830. In 1832 Santa Anna became president in Mexico and established a dictatorship. He refused a peacefull compromise with the settlers and these strived for independence and hostilities started. In 1835 general Cos was beaten but Santa Ana did not let go and went with a large army group to Alamo In 1836 where he sieged the previous mission church in Marchwith 1600 men against about 200 men in the Alamo. The siege lasted from February 23 to March 6 for 16 days and ended with the killing of all defenders as their supplies were depleted.
Only about one month later April 21 general Sam Houstons army defeated Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto under the cry ‘remember the Alamo’ and Santa Anna was captured and agreed to allow Texas to be independant in exchange for his freedom. In December 1845 after almost 10 years of independance Texas joins the USA and becomes the 28th state. The northern states of USA did not want Texas to join fearing that slave states would get a majority in the union. But under president James Polk, a slaveholder himself, Texas joined. Polk made a border conflict an issue to start a war against Mexico in 1845. Both Lee and Grant were in the same army at that time and they were far stronger that the Mexican army. Vast land parts California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico were added to the USA.

Interesting to learn about this part of US history. Also good to realise that the consequences of a deed (allowing settlers to come) eventually had such far reaching effects. In these days were short term vision seems to be the standard (I think because of time in office of politicians) this is good to remember. In that sense the saying ‘remember the Alamo’ gives me a new dimension.