Customer Reviews

Remembering the Alamo: Memory, Modernity, and the Master Symbol (History, Culture, and Society Series)

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Richard Flores has produced a book that should give interested readers cause to pause and engage in some reflection. The syntax is a bit dense, as seems the case with postmodernist writing in general. But once you get past the jargon, he's put together a strong case for how the "sacred space" of the Alamo has been both created and reinforced. As might be expected, the Hispanic population comes out on the short end of the stick. There's a good deal more here than simply postmodernist political correctness. Flores has done his homework, doesn't seek to hide his own biases under the misleading rubic "objective" (there's no such thing in history and anthropology anyway), and provides abundant references to material for interested readers to explore on their own. A provocative and interesting piece of work. It requires paying attention to the detail, but doing so is well worth the effort. Readers who've bought the whole Anglos-wrested-Texas-from-them-Mexicans-in-the-name-of-freedom malarky should steer clear of Flores's book: it'll only get them het up. But students of myth and memory will be amply rewarded.

This is U.of Texas anthropology professor Richard R. Flores's brilliant analysis of the symbolically manufactured cultural resonance of the Alamo across nearly two centuries: first, within 19th century San Antonio's transformation (with much turbulence) from a Mexican villa to an American city, and then later in folklore, film, and television. A fascinating read, especially for those curious Texans who cherish their state's rich Hispanic heritage, and are not afraid to question the quasi-sacred symbolism they were taught in school.

Fav. Quote: "Public history should open the door to curiosity about the past, not render it conclusive and known."

Filled with PoMo jargon, gag. There are some interesting FACTUAL segments regarding the development of downtown San Antonio...although the author's politically correct contention that Anglos set out to deliberately wipe out all vestiges of Hispanic culture is patently absurd.

Grab much more than a pinch of salt, and some galoshes to wade through the LitCrit verbiage, for there are a few points of interest. But check it out from the library if possible.