Customer Reviews

Sword of San Jacinto: A Life of Sam Houston

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From a hero from Horseshoe Bend fighting against the Creeks, Houston emerges as a disciple of "Old Hickory" eventually becoming the governor of Tennessee. Although successful, during a run at re-election, the battle scared Houston marries a much younger and indulgent woman who from the honeymoon night on rejects Houston, which captures wide spread press and ruins his political career causing him to amazingly exile himself amongst the Cherokee. With bouts of alcohol, remarriage and political representation of the Cherokee, Houston is seemingly rescued by Jackson and motivated to immigrate to Texas. The author gives a very good representation of a successful man who shows great promise particularly his ability to communicate with the common folk yet he has serious personal liabilities. Houston becomes active in Texas politics but the fascinating story of Houston is his command of Texas forces fighting Santa Anna. Houston orders Travis and Bowie to abandon the Alamo due to Santa Anna's large army and heavy cannon preferring to fight with mobility in the field. They refuse and become famous but suffer complete loss. However, Houston's tactics prove effective as he attains victory over Anna. Again active in politics, Houston stubbornly refuses to support secession while governor and is a pariah among his fellow Texans. Interesting story of a humble man who lived in such plain dwellings with dog runs in Texas. Very much a worthwhile read.

This book informs you about the specifics of Sam Houston's life, the truth about the Texas-Mexico border, and the Republic of Texas. As a native Texan I have to say that without a doubt this is a must-read book.

Houston's greatness comes through. A pioneer, frontiersman, warrior, leader, and politician are just some of Houston's attributes depicted.

Sam Houston lived such a giant life that any bio will come up short, but De Bruhl gives a good summary of his many failures and successes, his sometimes-brilliant and sometimes-tarnished career in politics, and an insight into Sam's personal character. Cheered by some, reviled by others, Houston was a man who always lived by his convictions.

I was disappointed to see less of Sam's life among the Tsalagi, but readers looking for his legendary exploits in Texas will not be disappointed. I also recommend "The Raven" for more on Sam. Younger readers will appreciate "Retreat to Glory" and "Six Feet Six".

Marshall De Bruhl has produced one of the best biographies I have read. Beginning with his grandfather John Houston's arrival in America, De Bruhl lays the foundation for why General Sam Houston was who he was and became who he became, to use the authors own words, "...an authentic American hero. Wounded in the War of 1812 and the Texas revolution. Congressman. Governor of two states, Tennessee and Texas. Ambassador from the Cherokee Nation. United States senator. Commander-in-chief of the Texan army. Twice president of the Republic of Texas."

Even this seems to be an understatement of the achievements of this fascinating and unusual patriot. To add from the 403 pages of biography that follows this statement on page xi of the authors note, one needs only to pick from over four decades of public service. Houston was, in fact repeatedly re-elected to lead Texas as both governor and president, including the term in which Texas seceded from the Union against his strong opposition; add to that, his strong leadership in congress opposing anything that would jeopardize the union. He strongly opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and openly warned that it would lead the nation into war. When Texas tried to secede as a republic not aligned with the Confederacy in 1861, and the Confederacy forcefully took over the state, he refused to pledge loyalty to the new "nation" and allowed himself to be removed from office by the replacement legislature. And, again, he warned that Civil War would follow, predicting that it would not be short, but would flood the land with the blood of young Texans.

Was Sam Houston a genuine hero as presented by De Bruhl? Absolutely. However, he was not presented as anything more than a hero with clay feet. The author makes no effort to smooth over or cover up Houston's flaws: his alcoholism, his sometimes radically spiteful verbal attacks on his opponents, and his marital problems. Yet, in this even handed biography, the author reveals his subject's humanity as well as his courage and determination to do what was right and moral. By the end of his life, Houston had abandoned alcohol, established a solid marriage that produced 8 children, and been baptized. He never conquered his tendency toward verbal personal attacks on his opponents, but neither did he ever cease to speak his mind and stand for what he believed was right, regardless of whether or not it was popular. I am, however, forced to admit that no matter how great he was and how much he did, knowing his personal problems and battle with alcoholism, I most likely would not have voted for him for any public office. And that would have been tragic. I cannot imagine what Texas & America would have become had he not been allowed to lead.

As a fellow Texan who grew up near the San Jacinto battlefield, I have always been aware of Sam Houston & his great contribution to Texas history. I have read several books about that history recently, but nothing I have read was as interesting, informative and helpful in understanding all that Houston did for both Texas and America as is De Bruhl's work. I would consider this book to be a masterpiece of biographical information. Houston was far more involved in American events during his lifetime than any other history book has led me to realize. Therefore, I am immensely grateful to De Bruhl for his presentation, and highly recommend it for anyone wanting to know more about America, Texas, and this great man.

Five stars because I cannot give it more.

This quick and easy read is an entertaining biography of an entertaining and important man. But I finished it feeling we had glossed over the surface of General Sam without really getting under his skin. This was a decent introduction to the man and his times, but the serious student will be left wanting more.

I could not put this book down! I like ol' Sam Houston. Being a member of the Masonic Order as was Houston and knowing that Sam Houston was a big factor in the forming of the Grand Lodge of Texas, I wish Mr. DeBruhl had visitied the Republic of Texas Room in the Grand Lodge of Texas Museum in Waco, Texas. I live in Nacogdoches, Texas and work only a few steps from were Sam Houston lived and across the street from were the Old Stone Fort once was. You can look East and see the house were Anna Raguet lived. Across the street was the office of Thomas J. Rusk. This book came real close to home for me, I liked it.