Texian iliad : a military history of the Texas revolution, 1835-1836 /

Hardin's straightforward narrative recounts the military history of the Texas Revolution, a topic heretofore not treated in a concise, modern historical study. Written from the Anglo-American viewpoint, the book rests on a solid foundation of archival materials, mostly illustrating the Texian perspective, and on a wide range of secondary studies. Hardin begins with the battle at Gonzalez, examines the seige of Bexar, treats in detail the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad, analyzes Houston's strategy during the Runaway Scrape, and concludes with a full-scale evaluation of the Battle of San Jacinto. The author provides a very balanced, evenhanded synthesis that includes historical debates about such matters as Davy Crockett's role at the Alamo and Sam Houston's ability as a commander. A good starting point for reading on the history of the Republic of Texas, the book should remain the best treatment of the subject for years to come. General readers through graduate students. L. T. Cummins; Austin College