The Texas Rangers (Elite) [Paperback]

Stephen Hardin (Author), Richard Hook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: September 26, 1991

The Texas Ranger is one of the most cherished symbols of the Lone Star State. While the Alamo is the undisputed symbol of Texas, the Ranger stands as an enduring symbol of the people of Texas. The Rangers were first formed to protect their neighbours from Indian attack, later they fought and died in a war for freedom, and staved off foreign invasion. Some Rangers died with glory at the Battle of the Alamo (1836), while many more were wounded, or died, in anonymity at dozens of obscure places. This volume by Dr Stephen L Hardin charts the history of this remarkable force from the 1820s through to the present day.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Stephen L Hardin is a professor of history at The Victoria College in Victoria, Texas. He is the author of the award-winning Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836 (1994), and the editor of Lone Star: The Republic of Texas, 1836-1846 (1998). He also appears regularly as a commentator on American television. Distinguished for his readable style and his accessible approach to history, Dr. Hardin is an inductee of the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters and is a member of Western Writers of America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 26, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855321556
• ISBN-13: 978-1855321557
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,406,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Texas Rangers Elite Series 36, November 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Texas Rangers (Elite) (Paperback)

I think that The Texas Rangers Elite Series is a very informative, yet entertaining book. The book talks about The Texas Rangers from thier begining up to present day, going into deph about the more famous Rangers like, Jack Hays, and RIP Ford. I would say that this book is well worth investing in, especaially for people to whom the Texas Rangers is a new interrest, its a good starting block.

5.0 out of 5 stars A reliable book, December 19, 2011

By 

Blue Roman - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Texas Rangers (Elite) (Paperback)

This book is pretty reliable. It shows every major detail of the Texas Rangers and their exploits. Each of the osprey publishing books is like this. Hopefully, in the future, there can be a revised edition that includes everything.

1.0 out of 5 stars Skips over the history of the Rangers from 1823 to 1835, September 19, 2011

By 

D. R. Kuykendall (Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Texas Rangers (Elite) (Paperback)

This book skips over the history of the Rangers from 1823 to 1835. It also reports the first battles against the Karankawas and the Tonkawas inaccurately. A good way to tell if a book on the Texas Rangers is properly researched is if it includes the letter written by Robert Kuykendall to Austin which resulted in the formation of the first two groups of Rangers and the names of those first Rangers; this book does not. Without this history, you are missing a good part of the story.

The Rangers of Austin's Colony Historical Marker From the Texas Sesquicentennial at Courthouse Square dated 1836-1986 states:

In 1823, after several Indian attacks on the members of Austin's Colony, Captain Robert Kuykendall and Alcalde John Tumlinson of the Colorado District requested permission from Trespalacios to raise a company to protect the colonists. Ten men were recruited to serve under the command of Moses Morrison.

When Stephen F. Austin returned from Mexico City in August 1823, he found the colony still plagued by Indian disturbances and announced that he would employ ten additional men, at his own expense, to serve as "Rangers" for the common defense. Although the law enforcement group know as the Texas Rangers was not formally organized until 1835, the "Rangers" of Austin's colony are the earliest recorded force of this type raised in Texas and served as a model for the later formation of The Texas Rangers.