Books

	Despite a troubled production history including a switch in directors, budget overruns, and delayed release dates, *The Alamo* turned out to be a remarkably intelligent mini-epic of corrective historical biography. Dispensing with the grandiose myth-making of previous films on this subject (including John Wayne's gung-ho 1960 version), this well-written film breathes new, credibly dimensional life into the stodgy legends of Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton), Jim Bowie (Jason Patric), and Lt. Col. William Travis (Patrick Wilson), who fought with 185 Anglo-"Texican" settlers (some historians claim their numbers were closer to 250) during the bloody 13-day siege by 5,000 Mexican soldiers at the titular San Antonio mission-turned-fortress in 1836. While Gen. Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) anguishes over military strategy and reluctantly withholds much-needed support, the Alamo defenders face the unbeatable multitudes commanded by Mexican Gen. Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria), and the screenplay (on which John Sayles was an early contributor, when Ron Howard was slated to direct) allows the central heroes to reveal a richer, more substantial humanity beneath their mythic reputations. Tackling his biggest production to date, director John Lee Hancock (who previously worked with Quaid on The Rookie) reportedly shot 100 hours of footage, so it's almost miraculous that this 135-minute battle drama is so evenly balanced in telling its oft-told tale. Thornton was deservedly singled out for his fine performance, and Dean Semler's cinematography is Oscar-worthy throughout. Of course, any film about the Alamo necessarily includes speculative history, and this one's no exception, but it's got a ring of truth that previous versions conspicuously lacked. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to the Theatrical Release edition. *Click on cover to purchase*

	THE TEXAS WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1835-1836 From Outbreak to the Alamo to San Jacinto The Texas Revolution is remembered chiefly for the 13-day siege of the Alamo and its immortal heroes. This book describes the war and the preceding years that were marked by resentments and minor confrontations as the ambitions of Mexico's leaders clashed with the territorial determination of Texan settlers. When the war broke in October 1835, the invading Mexicans, under the leadership of the flamboyant President-General Santa Ana, fully expected to crush a ragged army of frontiersmen. Led by Sam Houston, the Texans rallied in defense of the new Lone Star state, defeated the Mexicans in a mere 18 minutes at the battle of San Jacinto and won their independence. *Click on cover to purchase*

	BLOOD OF NOBLE MEN: THE ALAMO SIEGE AND BATTLE This book started out with questions: What specific events happened at the Alamo siege and battle? What was the siege chronology? To answer these questions, participant accounts are arranged by date and presumed time of day. This is to allow the people who witnessed or participated in this thirteen day siege, to finally speak for themselves. Their vignettes are supplemented with extensive footenote commentary. Hopefully, what resulted was a siege chronology, previously undefined. This book takes no sides and was approached with intellectual honesty, to get at the truth of the events. There are no socio-political axes to grind; the Mexican-Centralists are not treated as villians and, conversly, the Texian/Tejano- Federalists are not portrayed as willing martyrs. The Alamo was a battle and this book treats it as such. Included in this work are over forty pen and ink illustrations by acclaimed military artist Gary Zaboly. My guidance to Gary was that at least 50% of the illustrations must be from the Hispanic perspective and all must be of an event not illustrated before; i.e., no Crockett's last stand, no drawing of the line. Gary's work is not only fantastic art, but adds a much needed third dimension to the vignettes. Gary goes further and provides his own notations of the illustrations allowing the reader to realize the enourmous research he contributed to the book. If the sad stones of the Alamo could have kept a journal, maybe this is what it would have read like. *Click on cover to purchase* Hardcover - 250 pages (April 1999) Eakin Publications; ISBN: 1571681949 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.91 x 11.26 x 8.73

	A Pilgrim Shadow (2001) *Click on cover to purchase* "In the tradition of The Ox-Bow Incident, Alan C. Huffines has delivered a powerful tale of frontier retribution that doubles as a thoughtful inquiry into the nature of justice. This is passionate and memorable storytelling at its best." Scott Zesch, author of “Alamo Heights” (TCU, 1999) "A Pilgrim Shadow is a shattering read. For those who have become inured to the Hollywood-ization of the western novel this work will come as a sobering and tragic reminder of how truly dangerous and capricious life could be on America's frontier. Alan C. Huffines has done a remarkable job of reconstructing not only a period but the attitudes, language, and values which made that time unique to this country and its frontier. When you pick up this book make sure you have the time to finish it because you will not want to put it down.... you won't be able to do it, the story is that riveting.” Frederick J. Chiaventone, author of the award-winning A Road We do Not Know (Simon & Schuster, 1996), and Moon of the Bitter Cold (Tor-Forge, 2001). “A Pilgrim Shadow is a strikingly authentic novel, not just in the way it flawlessly conjures up the vanished world of nineteenth century Texas, but in its guileless disregard of genre cliches or literary posturing. Alan C. Huffines is a confident and compelling writer, and his story of the ordeal of the Marlow Brothers is full of unexpected turns, dead-on details, and powerful feeling.” Stephen Harrigan, author of the award winning bestseller “The Gates of the Alamo” (Knopf, 2000).