The Raven: A Biography of Sam Houston

Texans love Texas and all things Texan. After moving to Texas 30 years ago, I was overwhelmed by the culture and baffled by the pride of so many of its natives. I reluctantly began reading this biography of Sam Houston, expecting to put it back down after reading a couple of chapters. What a surprise to find this volume absorbing both as a biography of a fascinating individualist and as a history of the United States, Texas, and Tennessee during the Jacksonian era. This is a must-read for anyone who is seeking a realistic feel for this era of history and who likes understanding how historic icons emerge. Sam Houston is someone I would love to have as a friend.

3152. The Raven / A Biography of Sam Houston, by Marquis James (read Jan 24, 1999) This book won the 1930 Pullitzer Prize for biography. To my surprise, I found it an astoundingly interesting book, holding my interest all the way thru. Sam Houston had a fantastic, novel-like life, and this book tells it very well Superlative and a joy to read.

Very vivid; frankly pro-Houston; probably could be criticized
on that account but enjoyable to read; mildly racist by modern standards

Excellent biography of a fascinating man.

Classic American story of the Old West frontier. A biography of Sam Houston, both heroic and adventuresome. This story is a semis character like Daniel Boone, Davey Crockett..

Really, I had no idea! Glad I know now.