The Alamo: A Cultural History

by Frank T. Thompson

After two short weeks under siege, the climactic battle of the Alamo lasted under an hour, but its aftermath spawned a legend. The A Cultural History explores the transformation of the fort from its 1718 inception as a Franciscan mission to its current status as a tourist attraction, historical monument, and international symbol of freedom.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Historical, Westerns

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ross Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in Texas, it is all but impossible NOT to hear the stories of the Battle of the Alamo. How heroes like Bowie, Travis, and Crockett held off an overwhelming army for almost 2 weeks, only to fall to the last man at the hands of Santa Anna.
And how this defeat, like the one that was to come for Fanin at Goliah, would be the rally cry for the Texas War for Independence.

This book, while a "novelization" of the most recent movie about the Alamo, helps to tell the story, in simple terms, of those 13 days of the siege, and the part Houston had in the same war.

I would recommend this book for anyone not familiar with Texas history, but wanting to get a bit of a background.

[Davy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked a prickly pear start by the railroad tracks in Goliad in the 1980's. It grew to be a giant yellow flowering cactus on my front porch in Pasadena TX.

I really like Billy Bob Thornton but was a little disappointed by his Alamo movie.
I burned out on John Wayne before I was 20 in the 1970's. I think we need a 3rd Alamo movie.

Pasadena is in the shadows of the Texas Monument and the San Jacinto Battlefield.
The Battleship Texas is there too.

You should visit that complex while in Houston, and eat at the Monument Inn. It is right there at the Lynchburg Ferry that crosses the Ship Channel. Don't mind the refineries, that is the smell of money.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on CD and enjoyed it.

[Jeffrey Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes me want to learn more, but not a great telling of it

[Ricki Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Texas, the tale of the Alamo is a familiar one and the names Bowie, Crockett, Travis, and Houston are as well known as Washington and Lincoln. The image of the Alamo defenders stepping across the line drawn in the sand is etched into your brain and you learn the phrases "Come and Take It," "Victory or Death," and "Remember the Alamo!" at an early age. As a native Texan and history lover, I'm naturally drawn to stories of the Alamo and the fight for Texas Independence, so when I saw this version of The Alamo by Frank Thompson at the used bookstore I scooped it up. At the time I didn't realize that the novel is based on the screenplay for the most recent movie of the same name. It definitely has the feel of a movie, with brief caricatures of dozens of various characters, and with the exception of perhaps Davy Crockett, none of them feel fully fleshed out. When you pick up a novel about the Alamo, it's a lot like reading about the Titanic, you already know how the story will end, so it's really all about the characters. I liked that the author included many sides to the battle and offered so many different perspectives, from the native Tejanos, the Mexican soldados, the Alamo fighters, the founders of the republic, etc., and that he extended the story to the surrounding battles at Goliad, Gonzales, and ultimately San Jacinto. I wanted meatier character development, but then I guess the novel would actually be the size of Texas.

The battle of the Alamo was a 13 day siege, so the first half of the book works to build tension and once the action ramped up at around page 250, I was so engrossed in the battle that I stayed up half the night to finish the book. I think it's important to remember that this isn't just the stuff of movies. Whether courageous or foolish, these were real men fighting for a place to call home. When I visit what's left of the Alamo mission in San Antonio next month, the experience will be all the more intriguing and haunting.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting book that detailed the events that took place at one of the most important battle sites during the Texan War for independence the Alamo. The book detailed the thirteen day siege of the barracks by the Mexican army lead by Santa Ana. It also described the heroics of the defenders including those of William Travis, James Bowie, and Davie Crockett along with the Tennessee volunteers. The book talks about the cultural impact the battle had on Texas history and how it served as a turning point in the Texas War for Independence. I found myself to be very engaged while reading this book partly because I enjoy reading about Texas history but also because I was inspired by the volunteers who remained in the barracks at all cost and sacrificed their lives knowing they would not make it out of the barracks if they stayed until the final day of the battle. The book's account of this sacrifice along with the other historical accounts of what happened at the Alamo make it a timeless read and I highly recommend you read this if you get the chance, especially if you are interested in Texas history.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly informative and (I thought) entertaining. The book covers historical background and setting of the Alamo battle as well as the cultural impact it has had. Thompson is apparently a "Alamophile" as most of the many illustrations scattered throughout the book have the credit, "from the author's collection". The book is full of cool little stories: Apparently

John F Kennedy visited [the Alamo] in 1965, giving rise to the priceless (and possibly apocryphal) anecdote. Standing inside the church, Kennedy sought to avoid the pressing crowd waiting out front. He asked if there wasn't a back door he could use. "Senator," he was told, "if the Alamo had a back door, there wouldn't have been so many heroes!"

This book is well-written with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor. It's one of the few history books I've ever read where I became so immersed I completely ignored everyone around me and that's a compliment.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to San Antonio for the first time and wanted to brush up on the history of the Alamo. Although I love immersing myself in both detailed histories and lengthy historical fiction, I was looking for something fairly light and short enough to read on the plane down to Texas that would give me an overview of the battle of the Alamo, what led up to it, and what followed from it. This novelization was a good choice for this purpose. It taught me enough to understand what I was seeing at the Alamo and understand a bit of the context, but also has inspired me to seek out other more detailed accounts of that period of history.

The Kindle edition, I must say, was littered with typos and errors.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history behind the origins of Texas and the conflict between the frontiersmen of Texas and the Mexican army lead by Santa Ana. Devastating leadership mistakes made by the Texans cost hundreds of lives.

Interesting biography of sorts into the person of Santa Ana, too. He was power hungry, had a keen strategic military mind but was also crazy ruthless when it came to the lives of others, even his own men. But when it came down to his own welfare and life, he was nothin' but a yellow-bellied COWARD. A pathetic man.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most famous battles in modern history, the second Battle of the Alamo is steeped in legend, myth, and controversy. The abandoned Spanish mission was defended against orders by less than two hundred men in the against Santa Anna de Lopez, dictator of Mexico. The thirteen day standoff gave the Texas Army a change to organize and provided a rallying cry for battle. Many last ditch efforts since then have been portrayed as Alamo type stands. The author explores the leaders on both sides as well as the Alamo's role in literature and movies. An interesting read.

[Mady · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story based on the screenplay on the film. Maybe because it was written based on the screenplay instead of being the basis for a screenplay, I didn't really liked it... too many names made it hard for me to distinguish the different characters. And it seems to me the movie should be quite bloody and violent. Anyway, it was interesting to get to know a bit more of the Alamo's story :)

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was based on the movie. It was actually pretty well done and kept my interest, there was plenty of background, drama and action. I do not know how historically accurate it is, but from what little I know about the actual Alamo battle and the eventual defeat of Santa Ana, it may not be too far off.

[Nataraj Sundar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does no justice to such an event.

[Jerry Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. based on the movie with billy bob thornton