Texas Rangers (Osprey Trade Editions) [Paperback]

Stephen Hardin (Author), Richard Hook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Trade Editions | Publication Date: February 15, 2000

Charts the history of this remarkable force from the 1820s to the present day. Originally formed to combat the predatory Comanches, the Rangers served the independent Republic of Texas and then in the Mexican-American war. Some of their most famous captains date from this period; Ben McCulloch, "Jack" Hayes and Samuel H. Walker. Having begun as Indian fighters they later adversaries ranged from Mexican bandits to hardened criminals like John Wesley Hardin and Bonnie and Clyde. Today the Texas Rangers are a modern organization and represent the elite of Texas law enforcement.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Bringing History to Life collection is made up of Osprey's all-time favourite titles, re-released with striking new covers - selected titles also include visitor information sections.

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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760315
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760315
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,997,286 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.