Texas Heritage, Volume 18, Number 4, Fall 2000 Page: 28
39 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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JOHN PETERSON, BOOK REVIEW EDITOR
Blood of Noble Men,
The Alamo Siege & Battle:
An Illustrated Chronology
By Alan C. Huffines, Eakin Press, 1999Reviewed by Monte Akers
The idea was simple: take all available
first person accounts of the siege of the
Alamo-Texian and Mexican-arrangeJeas
PAINTERS,
SCULPTORS &
GRAPHIC ARTISTS...A biographical dictionary by John and
Deborah Powers is the most extensive and
comprehensive reference book on artists
who worked in Texas before the modern
era that began with World War II.
From a multitude of sources, the authors
have identified some 3,800 artists and
constructed biographical sketches, exhibition
records, lists of public collections,
and bibliographical references. In two
appendices, the authors describe the
more important public and private art
schools, museums, associations, and exhibitions
of the period, illuminating particularly
the regionalist movement of the
1920s and 1930s. Art and history buffs
alike will find the book useful.
Now available, this reference book comprises
approximately 600 pages and retails
for $125.00 plus shipping and handling.S s se s ..e
KSUWigIDXUBITIUI3ifflhIIX
S Os s so sthem chronologically for the 13 days of the
siege, add original illustrations, provide an
introduction for each day, and include footnotes
to explain portions
of the accounts
from witnesses. Simple,
but never done before,
and so effectively accomplished
that "Blood
of Noble Men" may be
the freshest, most gripping
account of the
Alamo ever compiled.
In one sense,
Huffines presents nothing
new. The accounts
from the witnesses
have been published
previously. Most of the
introductory and footnoted information
comes from other books. Yet the manner
of presentation is so compelling that the
legendary story seems new. Readers may
catch themselves wondering what will
happen next and hoping that reenforcements
will arrive or that somehow the outcome
will be different this time.
In another sense, Huffines offers valuable
information and innovative twists to
old mysteries. Particulars about organization
of the Mexican army, weaponry, supplies,
clothing on both sides, and arrangement
of the fort are included. The flag of
the Alamo is not the questionable 1824
tri-color, but the two-starred tri-color seen
flying in Bexar as Santa Anna approached
the city. The red "no quarter" flag raised
over San Fernando Church is emblazoned
with a skull and cross-bones, and an explanation
is provided to support the
symbol's existence. Santa Anna's dress onMarch 6 is not a gaudy general's uniform,
but plain civilian clothes, "like a Methodist
preacher," as described by Travis' servant,
Joe. Travis'
mythic line-in-the-sand
w ; an becomes less mythic
when one reads its description
by Enrique
Esparza, Susannah
Dickenson, and Madama
Candelaria in addition
to that of William
P. Zuber.
Gary S. Zaboly's illustrations
are equally
fresh. They consist of vignettes
from the siege
*wi- band battle: depictions of
uniforms, clothing, and
weapons; and layouts of the fortress. Each
is well-researched, annotated, and explained.
If there can be any criticism of
the book, albeit minor, it is that the bird'seye
views of the fort, town, and surrounding
countryside, one for each day of the
siege, seem redundant.
Eakin Press has supplied its readers with
several books about the Alamo, and "Blood
of Noble Men" may be its greatest contribution
to the topic.
Readers may catch themselves
wondering what
will happen next and
hoping that reenforcements
will arrive or that
somehow the outcome
will be different this time.HERITAGE * 28 * FALL 2000
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Texas Historical Foundation. Texas Heritage, Volume 18, Number 4, Fall 2000, periodical, Autumn 2000; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45391/m1/28/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.