On to the Alamo: Colonel Crockett's Exploits and Adventures in Texas (Penguin Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Richard Penn Smith (Author), John Seelye (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2003 | Series: Penguin Classics

David "Davy" Crockett (1786–1836) was born in Tennessee, fought alongside Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812, and later served three terms in the House of Representatives before heading to Texas, where he died defending the Alamo. Col. Crockett’s Exploits and Adventures in Texas, first published after Crockett’s death and disingenuously attributed to him, was written by Richard Penn Smith as a narrative that promoted a sanitized account of the Alamo as a heroic effort by Americans to stem the Mexican "invasion" of Texas. The story, which was a huge success in its day, created a myth of the battle that pervaded the collective American memory for more than 150 years and reinforced the image of Davy Crockett as the "King of the Frontier."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Penn Smith (1790–1854) was born in Philadelphia and trained as a lawyer, but was also a newspaper editor, poet, author, and playwright of more than fifteen plays.

John Seelye has edited numerous titles for Penguin Classics, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Red Pony, and Treasure Island. He is a professor of American literature at the University of Florida.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (November 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142437646
• ISBN-13: 978-0142437643
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,356,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This reads similar to Tom Sawyer., February 23, 2004

By 

Kevin M Quigg (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: On to the Alamo: Colonel Crockett's Exploits and Adventures in Texas (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a novel, or historical fiction as the long introduction will point out. The author Smith wrote this and had the publishers say it was the journal of Davy Crockett. It isn't. Smith read some books ghost written by Crockett, and then wrote this story in a similar fashion. That being said, it is a good and entertaining read. However, it is not true, so fellow historians beware.
Crockett is a colorful figure in American history. I can't say I know much about him, but this story places him in a very favorable light. The saying much attributed to Crockett about the voters of Tennessee going to hell, but he was going to Texas is one of my favorites. This is a great short read and I much recommend it.