Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions [Paperback]

Thomas Ricks Lindley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2003

Destined to be a controversial history of one of the most popular Americna landmarks, Alamo Traces is Thomas Ricks Lindley's masterpiece. Fifteen years of research makes this critical examination of the Alamo story a volume of historical truth and accuracy. The author burrows deep into the records and shovels away deposits of myth, folklore, and faulty research that are generations deep. Never wavering in its search for the bedrock of fact, this convincing speculation about what might really have happened during that courageous fight for independence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Lindley has written "a methodical piece-by-piece dismantling of what we thought we knew, combined with convincing speculation about what might have really happened" (Stephen Harrigan Gates Of The Alamo )

Sometimes it takes a private dick to crack a case. In the case of the Alamo, a former criminal investigator for the U.S. Army spent 15 years investigating the minutiae of the historical record, and came up with some stunning new revelations. No one (except moviemakers) will ever be able to tell the old familiar tale the same way again. All in all, it is not the reputations of the Alamo heroes wh suffer in Lindley's book, but the Alamo historians, many of them very well respected names. The author has no fear of lancing sacred cows. (San Antonio Express-News )

Sometimes it takes a private dick to crack a case. In the case of the Alamo, a former criminal investigator for the U.S. Army spent 15 years investigating the minutiae of the historical record, and came up with some stunning new revelations. No one (except moviemakers) will ever be able to tell the old familiar tale the same way again. All in all, it is not the reputations of the Alamo heroes wh suffer in Lindley's book, but the Alamo historians, many of them very well respected names. The author has no fear of lancing sacred cows. (San Antonio Express-News )

In Thomas Ricks Lindley's new book, Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions, Crockett's standing at the time of the seige is memorably caught. (Texas Monthly )

In Thomas Ricks Lindley's new book, Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions, Crockett's standing at the time of the seige is memorably caught. (Texas Monthly )

He hasn't thrown a hand gernades into Alamo Scholarship, he's dropped a blockbuster! This book is going to have more self-proclaimed "Alamo Scholars" screaming bloody murder than you can shake a stick at. (C.F. Eckhardt The National Tombstone Epitaph )

He hasn't thrown a hand gernades into Alamo Scholarship, he's dropped a blockbuster! This book is going to have more self-proclaimed "Alamo Scholars" screaming bloody murder than you can shake a stick at. (C.F. Eckhardt The National Tombstone Epitaph )

Sometimes it takes a private dick to crack the case. In the case of the Alamo, a former criminal investigator for the U.S. Army spent 15 years investigating the minutiae of the historical record, and came up with some stunning revelations. (Lynchburg News and Daily Advance )

The book that has most recently galvanized the Serious Alamo Guys is Alamo Traces. The result is possibly the most meticulously researched book in the history of Alamania. (Anne Dingus Texas Monthly )

The book that has most recently galvanized the Serious Alamo Guys is Alamo Traces. The result is possibly the most meticulously researched book in the history of Alamania. (Anne Dingus Texas Monthly )

'Explosive' is a fitting word to describe this landmark, if contentious book, which doggedly assails the accepted historial record of the Alamo, dramatically reinterpreting the favorite iconography of Texas revolutionary history. (James L. Haley Southwestern Historical Quarterly )

About the Author

Thomas Ricks Lindley is a former Army military policeman and criminal investigator. He has published numerous articles in The Alamo Journal, the publication of The Alamo Socieity. Currently working on a manuscript about the relationship between Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson, the author resides in Austin, Texas.

Thomas Ricks Lindley is a former Army military policeman and criminal investigator. He has published numerous articles in The Alamo Journal, the publication of The Alamo Socieity. Currently working on a manuscript about the relationship between Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson, the author resides in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (February 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556229836
• ISBN-13: 978-1556229831
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Alamo buffs, July 13, 2004

By 

T O'Brien (Chicago, Il United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions (Paperback)

Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions is an excellent read that looks for the truth about the siege and fall of the Alamo, and on a bigger scale, the Texas Revolution. Author Thomas Ricks Lindley takes on many of the myths and legends that have become accepted as fact over the years. Did Sam Houston really want to blow up the Alamo? How many Mexican casualties were there? Did Colonel William Barrett Travis, commander of the Alamo garrison, really draw a line in the sand allowing Moses Rose to slip over the wall and escape before the final assault? In great detail, Lindley tries to prove many of these accepted truths as either true or false. Not everyone will agree with all of his conclusions, but it is a highly entertaining. Highly recommended for anyone trying to learn more about the famous siege and fall of the Alamo in 1836.

What makes this book interesting is the fact that there are so many unknown things about the battle of the Alamo in February and March of 1836. It is almost certain that we will never know for certain what transpired during those thirteen days. Was David Crockett executed or is it just something made up by Jose Enrique de la Pena? Everyone has their own opinions about what they believed happened during the siege and battle, and that is what makes it fun to read and discuss things just as Thomas Ricks Lindley has done with this book. Highly worthwhile book that will make you think twice about your knowledge of the Alamo.

39 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth shall set you free., July 28, 2003

By 

Donald Hoffman - History teacher (Nixon, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions (Paperback)

I am impressed with the amount of primary sources researched for the writing of this book. Most books rely on secondary sources to a grest extent and fail to examine the accuracy of the primary accounts, but not Mr. Lindley. He got his information for this book "straight from the horses mouth". In some cases he even investigated the accuracy of the horse. It is not a book of shared opinions, but rather the evidence comes the first hand accounts of the individuals involved and the governmental records of this period of history. His exhaustive search of the governmental records is obvious. This tireless research of many years makes him uniquely different in this regard.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Texas History Buffs, March 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions (Paperback)

Thomas Ricks Lindley is the best kind of historian - a person whose passion is evident by the detail of his research. Many books have been written about the Alamo and the Texas Revolution, but none are as replete with indepth, primary source material as Alamo Traces. Lindley has obviously spent many hours - perhaps a lifetime - in the obscure, out of the way archives of backwoods Texas so many academic historians avoid.

Lindley's work is controversial. It shatters cherished myths and supports others. His chapter on the "fictional" Louis Moses Rose is absolutely brilliant and should be the subject of a standalone manuscript. No myth of Texas history - excepting Travis' line - is more accepted, only to be based on absolutely no evidence. This chapter is a model for the emerging "science" of forensic history and should be studied in detail by all aspiring researchers.

The only drawback to the work is occasional problems with the author's prose. Important paragraphs are often confusing. However, the professional editorial staff of a more established publishing house could easily correct this problem. If Lindley continues to write - which he should - he would greatly benefit from a stearn editor that can provide constructive criticism on style.

Otherwise, this little book is certainly worth adding to one's library and is recommended over more cursory works such as H.C. Brands' almost cartoonish treatment of the revolution. Alamo Traces is for the serious enthusiast.