The Rebels: Sons of Texas (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: convict soldiers, dun horse, Santa Anna, San Felipe, Sly Shipman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Seven-time Spur Award winner Kelton has always been a masterful western storyteller of tales rich with historical detail, vivid characters and sharply defined plots. Here he concludes the Sons of Texas trilogy with the strongest entry, set in the mid 1830s. The Lewis family—brothers Andrew, Michael and James, and sister Annie—are foreigners in a strange land, raising their families and farming while Mexican and American cultures, politics, racism and tempers simmer over the possibilities of rebellion and independence from Mexico. During these years, the Lewises must deal with outlaws, the Mexican army, trouble-making American politicians, a slick smuggler and their continuing feud with the thieving and back-shooting Blackwood brothers. When war does come, the Lewis boys and one Blackwood go off to fight in bloody battles at Velasco, the Alamo and San Jacinto, and not all come home. Historical figures—Sam Houston, General Santa Anna, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett—have cameos and add depth and color to this superb saga of the Lone Star State. (Nov.)
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Review

"A series that brings to mind L'Amour's multi-generational Sackett Family saga...Readers will eagerly anticipate the next entry in the series." --Booklist on Sons of Texas

"One thing is certain: as long as there are writers as skillful as Elmer Kelton, Western literature will never die." --True West Magazine

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765315262
• ISBN-13: 978-0765315267
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #822,025 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Novel of Texas, June 1, 2008

By	Russell Davis "Western Sensibility" (Nevada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

THE REBELS is the third entry in Elmer Kelton's Sons of Texas series, and was originally published in 1990 under the name Tom Early.

Set in the mid-1830's, THE REBELS follows the Lewis family as the struggle to build homes and families in Texas, while dealing with the culture clash between Mexican and American cultures. With his usual flair, Kelton creates a vivid picture of the struggle of early settlers in this part of the west, and politics and racism along with outlaws, the Mexican Army, and family feuds, give this story a depth I particularly enjoyed. Perhaps that's why Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it the best entry in the series.

The good news is that I didn't feel any particular lack for not having read the first two entries, and I don't imagine any reader would. With cameo appearances from famous historical figures such as Sam Houston and Santa Anna (among others), Kelton delivers a really solid piece of fiction, and a story and characters you'll remember. This title is highly recommended for fans of Kelton's work and general fans of excellent historical westerns.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Refresher Course in the History of the Revolution, February 24, 2009

By	Poitin (Willoughby, Oh United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rebels: Sons of Texas (Mass Market Paperback)

It has been over 30 years since my 7th grade history class on Texas History in Houston. Mr Kelton's book was a warm, welcome refresher course, brought to life with his characterizations. "The Rebels" is like a visit from an old friend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent conclusion for the Sons of Texas trilogy, February 12, 2008

By	Ed Crumley "The Host — A novel of life ... - See all my reviews

It's not a wonder that Elmer Kelton has received so many prestigious awards and accolades from numerous Western writers' associations. This native Texan writes with the authority of one who has lived in the environment he writes about and done the research about the historical details of his subject matter.

His saga about the Lewis family, which migrates from Tennessee to Texas before Texas won its independence from Mexico, has a fitting conclusion with the Battle of San Jacinto and the brothers returning home. They don't know until the end whether each has made it out alive.

An interesting parallel story within the book is about the Spanish-speaking Mexican citizens residing in Texas who disdained the dictatorship of Santa Anna. They befriended the Lewises and also fought for Texas' independence.