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Sleuthing the Alamo: Davy Crockett's Last Stand and Other Mysteries of the Texas Revolution (New Narratives in American History)

by James E. Crisp

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1293209,987 (4.31)None
In Sleuthing the Alamo, historian James E. Crisp draws back the curtain on years of mythmaking to reveal some surprising truths about the Texas Revolution--truths often obscured by both racism and "political correctness," as history has been hijacked by combatants in the culture wars of the past two centuries. Beginning with a very personal prologue recalling both the pride and the prejudices that he encountered in the Texas of his youth, Crisp traces his path to the discovery of documents distorted, censored, and ignored--documents which reveal long-silenced voices from the Texan past. In each of four chapters focusing on specific documentary "finds," Crisp uncovers the clues that led to these archival discoveries. Along the way, the cast of characters expands to include: a prominent historian who tried to walk away from his first book; an unlikely teenaged "speechwriter" for General Sam Houston; three eyewitnesses to the death of Davy Crockett at the Alamo; a desperate inmate of Mexico City's Inquisition Prison, whose scribbled memoir of the war in Texas is now listed in the Guiness Book of World Records; and the stealthy slasher of the most famous historical painting in Texas. In his afterword, Crisp explores the evidence behind the mythic "Yellow Rose of Texas" and examines some of the powerful forces at work in silencing the very voices from the past that we most need to hear today. Here then is an engaging first-person account of historical detective work, illuminating the methods of the serious historian--and the motives of those who prefer glorious myth to unflattering truth.… (more)
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Recommended by Heather Cox Richardson
  pollycallahan | Jul 1, 2023 |
A good book, demolishing some of the myths that have accrued to the Texas Revolution, especially centering around Davy Crockett's last stand. Did he die fighting? Or was he executed? In the end, this is a book concerning the historiography of Alamo history, and it examines the biases and preconceptions of historians and the public they write for, or, more often, talk past. The only thing that keeps this from getting a higher rating is the rather soupy "personal narrative" tacked on to the beginning and the end. Not to sound too harsh, but, when all is said and done, the personal bits by Crisp were added to in an attempt to assuage his liberal, white guilt for growing up in small-town Texas and once believing in heroes. ( )
  tuckerresearch | Dec 24, 2011 |
A good book, demolishing some of the myths that have accrued to the Texas Revolution, especially centering around Davy Crockett's last stand. Did he die fighting? Or was he executed? In the end, this is a book concerning the historiography of Alamo history, and it examines the biases and preconceptions of historians and the public they write for, or, more often, talk past. The only thing that keeps this from getting a higher rating is the rather soupy "personal narrative" tacked on to the beginning and the end. Not to sound too harsh, but, when all is said and done, the personal bits by Crisp were added to in an attempt to assuage his liberal, white guilt for growing up in small-town Texas and once believing in heroes. ( )
  tuckerresearch | Nov 6, 2011 |
A penetrating look inside historians and their craft. ( )
  ncunionist | Apr 20, 2008 |
I picked up this book on a impulse. It was sitting on the sale table at a Barnes and Noble. This is one of the books that you CANNOT judge by its cover! The cover of Onderdonk's Fall of the Alamo along with the title really mask what this book is all about. As you can judge by my library, I am an avid reader of Texana. This book goes way beyond just Texas history - It is the author's very personal journey for historical truth. Written in an intimate first person voice it tells the author's journey through Texas history. From the author's realization of his own cultural biases toward race and the resultant impact on his view of Texas history Mr. Crisp leads us on a fantastic journey of discovery.

.James Crisp was a key player in the Pena Diary dialogs / debates of the 90s. He shows how historical truth is often right in front of us - but can be lost in translation. Crisp's Spanish translation skills shine here.

If you read and enjoyed Alamo Traces - this is the prefect update / sequel to that book. I highly recommend it! ( )
  SomeCallMeTim | Mar 26, 2008 |
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In Sleuthing the Alamo, historian James E. Crisp draws back the curtain on years of mythmaking to reveal some surprising truths about the Texas Revolution--truths often obscured by both racism and "political correctness," as history has been hijacked by combatants in the culture wars of the past two centuries. Beginning with a very personal prologue recalling both the pride and the prejudices that he encountered in the Texas of his youth, Crisp traces his path to the discovery of documents distorted, censored, and ignored--documents which reveal long-silenced voices from the Texan past. In each of four chapters focusing on specific documentary "finds," Crisp uncovers the clues that led to these archival discoveries. Along the way, the cast of characters expands to include: a prominent historian who tried to walk away from his first book; an unlikely teenaged "speechwriter" for General Sam Houston; three eyewitnesses to the death of Davy Crockett at the Alamo; a desperate inmate of Mexico City's Inquisition Prison, whose scribbled memoir of the war in Texas is now listed in the Guiness Book of World Records; and the stealthy slasher of the most famous historical painting in Texas. In his afterword, Crisp explores the evidence behind the mythic "Yellow Rose of Texas" and examines some of the powerful forces at work in silencing the very voices from the past that we most need to hear today. Here then is an engaging first-person account of historical detective work, illuminating the methods of the serious historian--and the motives of those who prefer glorious myth to unflattering truth.

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