Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions (Paperback)

by Thomas Ricks Lindley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
After 15 years of meticulous research, Thomas Ricks Lindley presents his masterpiece Alamo Traces. He dispels the abundance of myth and folklore surrounding the events that took place at the Alamo and focuses on describing a factual and honest account of the fight for independence. A critical examination of truth and fiction, coupled with a piece-by-piece dismantling of what we thought we knew, results in an extremely accurate description of this famed event in American history.

About the Author
Thomas Ricks Lindley is a former Army military policeman and criminal investigator. He has published numerous articles in The Alamo Journal, the publication of The Alamo Society. Currently working on a manuscript about the relationship between Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson, the author resides in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Republic of Texas; illustrated edition edition (September 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556229836
• ISBN-13: 978-1556229831
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #334,771 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Alamo buffs, July 13, 2004

By	T O'Brien (Chicago, Il United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions is an excellent read that looks for the truth about the siege and fall of the Alamo, and on a bigger scale, the Texas Revolution. Author Thomas Ricks Lindley takes on many of the myths and legends that have become accepted as fact over the years. Did Sam Houston really want to blow up the Alamo? How many Mexican casualties were there? Did Colonel William Barrett Travis, commander of the Alamo garrison, really draw a line in the sand allowing Moses Rose to slip over the wall and escape before the final assault? In great detail, Lindley tries to prove many of these accepted truths as either true or false. Not everyone will agree with all of his conclusions, but it is a highly entertaining. Highly recommended for anyone trying to learn more about the famous siege and fall of the Alamo in 1836.

What makes this book interesting is the fact that there are so many unknown things about the battle of the Alamo in February and March of 1836. It is almost certain that we will never know for certain what transpired during those thirteen days. Was David Crockett executed or is it just something made up by Jose Enrique de la Pena? Everyone has their own opinions about what they believed happened during the siege and battle, and that is what makes it fun to read and discuss things just as Thomas Ricks Lindley has done with this book. Highly worthwhile book that will make you think twice about your knowledge of the Alamo.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth shall set you free., July 28, 2003

By	Donald Hoffman - History teacher (Nixon, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

I am impressed with the amount of primary sources researched for the writing of this book. Most books rely on secondary sources to a grest extent and fail to examine the accuracy of the primary accounts, but not Mr. Lindley. He got his information for this book "straight from the horses mouth". In some cases he even investigated the accuracy of the horse. It is not a book of shared opinions, but rather the evidence comes the first hand accounts of the individuals involved and the governmental records of this period of history. His exhaustive search of the governmental records is obvious. This tireless research of many years makes him uniquely different in this regard.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Evidence and New Conclusions concerning the Alamo, July 8, 2003

By	Gary D. Davis (south Texas.) - See all my reviews

Mr. Lindley has obviously spent years at the State Archives
researching this book. The book contains 676 references, many
dating back to the 1830's. The list of references alone is well
worth the price of the text.

Without a doubt, some scholars are going to feel very uncomfortable since some of Mr. Lindley's conclusions do not agree with the accepted version we were taught in school. Especially since the author backs up his assertions with
documentation that dates back 160 years in some cases.

This book is a must for anyone with even a casual interest in
Texas history. We will certainly be hearing more about Mr. Lindley and his book Alamo Traces: New Evidence and New Conclusions.